Senior Development Manager

London Design Festival; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent design festival organization in Greater London is seeking a Commercial Partnerships Lead. This role involves developing and implementing a cohesive commercial strategy, leading partnerships, and managing sales functions. The ideal candidate has a strong network, a proven track record in commercial development, and experience in the creative industries. Applicants should submit their CV and covering letter to a designated email by December 12, 2025.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in commercial development within a creative organization.
• Strong network for relationship building with cultural partners.
• Experience with CRM systems for managing pipelines.
• Excellent copywriting and presentation skills for pitches and proposals.
• Strong financial literacy with budgeting, revenue and forecast experience.
• Data-driven approach to analyse performance and inform strategy.
• Negotiation and client management for long-term partnerships.
• Knowledge of brand storytelling and authentic collaborations.
• Experience supporting or leading partnerships teams.
• UK and/or international design/culture industry knowledge.
• Experience in B2B and B2C environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a cohesive commercial strategy.
• Lead and expand partnerships and sales functions with clear KPIs.
• Negotiate and manage contracts to ensure long-term relationships.
• Create compelling proposals, pitch decks and commercial materials.
• Collaborate with internal teams to integrate partnerships into programming, communications and delivery.
• Track and report performance metrics, budgets and revenue forecasts.
• Negotiate and manage contracts, fostering long-term relationships with partners.
• Identify and develop new commercial opportunities in the UK and internationally.
• Represent IDEA at industry events and stakeholder meetings.

Skills

Commercial development

Business development

Building partnerships

CRM systems

Copywriting

Financial literacy

Data analysis

Negotiation skills

Brand storytelling

Collaboration

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a cohesive commercial strategy aligned with I.D.E.A.'s mission and long‑term growth objectives.
• Lead and expand the partnerships and sales function, setting clear KPIs and performance goals.
• Build and manage a strong pipeline of sponsorship, brand and institutional partners.
• Develop compelling proposals, pitch decks and commercial materials.
• Work closely with internal teams to integrate commercial partnerships into programming, communications and delivery.
• Track and report on performance metrics, budgets and revenue forecasts.
• Negotiate and manage contracts, ensuring strong long‑term relationships with partners.
• Identify and develop new commercial opportunities in both the UK and internationally.
• Represent I.D.E.A. and its projects at industry events and stakeholder meetings.

Essential Skills and Experience

• A proven track record in commercial development, business development or partnerships within a creative, cultural or design‑led organisation.
• Strong network or demonstrable ability to build relationships across brands, agencies and cultural partners.
• Experience using CRM systems (ideally Salesforce) to manage pipelines and reporting.
• Excellent copywriting and presentation skills, including experience developing pitches and proposals.
• Strong financial literacy – comfortable managing budgets, revenue and forecasts.
• Data‑driven approach with the ability to analyse performance and inform strategy.
• Strong negotiation and client management skills with experience developing long‑term partnerships.
• Understanding of brand storytelling and how to build authentic, mutually beneficial collaborations.
• Experience supporting or leading elements of a commercial or partnerships team.
• Knowledge of the design, culture or creative industries (UK and/or international).
• Experience working across both B2B and B2C environments.

How to Apply

Please send your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role to [e-mail] by Friday 12th December 2025.