Senior Business Development Manager – Sponsorship

William Reed; Brighton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent global events company is seeking a Senior Business Development Manager to lead high-value sponsorship sales and foster strategic partnerships. The ideal candidate should have proven success in B2B sponsorship sales and experience managing relationships with senior executives. This role involves driving new business, mentoring junior team members, and collaborating with production and marketing to maximize sponsor ROI. The position is full-time and based in Brighton, requiring flexibility for international travel and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in B2B sponsorship sales, ideally in conferences or media.
• Experience closing complex deals with senior stakeholders and global brands.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Driving new business development through proactive outreach and consultative selling.
• Achieving and exceeding sponsorship revenue targets across multiple international events.
• Building and nurturing long-term relationships with C-suite executives.

Skills

B2B sponsorship sales

Communication

Negotiation

Commercial acumen

Mentoring

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Position

Full time – permanent

Location

Brighton

Are you a proactive, ambitious and results‑driven senior sales professional who excels at building strong relationships and acquiring new clients? Are you passionate about identifying new opportunities and driving business growth?

As Senior Business Development Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the commercial success of our global summits. You’ll lead high‑value sponsorship sales, forge strategic partnerships and mentor junior team members – all while driving innovation and sustainability across the agri‑food‑tech ecosystem.

The role would suit someone who thrives on winning new business and is driven to exceed personal targets while playing a pivotal role in achieving overall team commercial goals, including supporting the development of and mentoring junior members of the sales team. You will also work closely with the production and marketing teams to ensure sponsors achieve maximum ROI and long‑term partnerships are fostered.

What you’ll be doing

Commercial Growth & Sales Leadership

• Driving new business development through proactive outreach and consultative selling
• Achieving and exceeding sponsorship revenue targets across multiple international events
• Leading by example, mentoring junior sales colleagues and contributing to a high‑performance culture

Strategic Account Management

• Building and nurturing long‑term relationships with C‑suite executives and global brands
• Understanding client goals and delivering tailored sponsorship solutions that drive ROI and renewals

Market Intelligence & Collaboration

• Staying ahead of trends in agri‑tech, food‑tech, and sustainability, and maintaining a deep understanding of the markets and competitor events
• Collaborating cross‑functionally with production and marketing to craft compelling propositions
• Representing Rethink Events at global conferences, supporting sponsors and driving renewals

Requirements

What you’ll need :

• Proven track record in B2B sponsorship sales, ideally in conferences or media
• Experience closing complex deals with senior stakeholders and global brands
• Strong commercial acumen and a strategic mindset
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills
• A proactive, driven approach in fast‑paced, target‑led environments
• Experience mentoring or coaching junior colleagues
• Familiarity with Salesforce or similar CRM platforms
• Flexibility in working hours and a willingness to travel internationally for events