Brand & Partnerships Director

Job Description

Job title:
Brand & Partnerships Director

Reports to:
Chief Commercial & Operations Officer

Contract:
Full time.

Hours: 35 hours per week, 9:30 am, - 5:30 pm, may vary depending on the events and client visits.

Location:
London with some international travel.

Salary: £70k - £100 basic salary depending on experience + OTE of £35k (total £105 - £135)

D&A D is the global authority on creative excellence. For more than 60 years we have set the highest standard for creativity through our internationally recognised Awards, world-class learning programmes and initiatives that develop the next generation of creative talent.

As we enter the next stage of our growth, we are investing in strategic partnerships that expand our global influence, strengthen our commercial performance and increase our impact across the creative industries.

We are seeking an exceptional commercial leader to help build and lead this agenda.

This is not a traditional sponsorship role.

We are looking for an accomplished senior business development and partnerships leader with an exceptional track record of opening doors, building trusted relationships at board and executive level and converting those relationships into long-term commercial partnerships.

The successful candidate will be a natural self-starter who thrives in an entrepreneurial environment. They will be comfortable creating opportunities from scratch, developing relationships with senior decision makers and representing one of the world's most respected creative organisations.

They will understand how to sell value rather than inventory, building partnerships that create genuine strategic benefit for both D&A D and our partners.

This individual will play a central role in delivering D&A D's commercial growth strategy.

To identify, develop and secure significant new commercial partnerships, sponsor ships and strategic relationships that generate sustainable revenue and increase D&A D's influence globally.

The role will focus on building long-term relationships with senior leaders across global brands, agencies, technology companies, media businesses, educational institutions and organisations that share D&A D's commitment to creativity.

• Develop and deliver a proactive commercial partnership strategy that supports D&A D's long-term growth ambitions.
• Identify and secure significant new sponsorship and partnership opportunities across D&A D's Awards, Festival, Learning, New Blood, Shift and future commercial initiatives.
• Create and maintain a robust pipeline of qualified commercial opportunities.
• Personally generate new business through targeted outreach, networking and relationship development.
• Negotiate high-value commercial agreements that create long-term value.
• Consistently exceed ambitious annual revenue targets.

• Build trusted relationships with senior executives including CEOs, CMOs, Chief Creative Officers, Chief Marketing Officers, agency leaders and founders.
• Develop partnerships that extend beyond financial sponsorship into strategic collaboration.
• Represent D&A D at industry events, conferences and international meetings.
• Identify emerging partnership opportunities in new sectors including technology, AI, gaming, entertainment, consulting and education.
• Work closely with the CCO and CEO to develop relationships with major international organisations and strategic partners.

• Act as a senior ambassador for D&A
  
  D.
• Develop long-term executive relationships with existing partners, ensuring exceptional service and renewal rates.
• Lead regular strategic reviews with major partners.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing commercial relationships.
• Ensure every partner experiences D&A D as a premium global organization.

• Work closely with Awards, Learning, Festival, Marketing and Communications teams to develop compelling partnership propositions.
• Collaborate with colleagues to create commercially attractive products and programmes.
• Provide commercial insight into new product development.
• Support cross-functional planning to…