Senior Business Development Manager

Are you a relationship-builder who thrives on creating meaningful partnerships that drive real-world impact? Join Climate Group and play a pivotal role in accelerating climate action by developing strategic sponsorship partnerships with some of the world’s most influential organisations. This is an opportunity to combine commercial thinking with purpose, helping organisations turn climate ambition into action while contributing directly to our mission of achieving a net zero future.

As our Senior Business Development Manager, you’ll lead high-value global partnerships, shape how we engage with sponsors and key accounts, and help evolve our partnership offering across an internationally recognised climate organisation. If you’re motivated by influencing change, building long-term relationships, and working alongside passionate colleagues across the globe, we’d love to hear from you.

The Senior Business Development Manager is a key role within our Partner Services team, reporting to the Head of Partner Services and managing the Senior Sponsorship Officer. You’ll work across our international portfolio, developing sponsorship opportunities that support Climate Group’s flagship events, programmes and campaigns while delivering exceptional value to our partners.

Sitting at the intersection of business development, sponsorship, strategic account management and organisational growth, you’ll be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with major global organisations, securing multi-event partnerships, and ensuring our sponsors receive an outstanding experience. You’ll work closely with colleagues across Events, Communications, Programme, and Legal teams to create partnerships that deliver both commercial success and climate impact. You’ll also play an important role in shaping the future of our Partner Services function by bringing partner insights, improving processes and contributing to strategic planning.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading a portfolio of international partners, building strong relationships that generate sponsorship income and long‑term value for Climate Group.
• Developing and managing a high‑quality pipeline of sponsorship opportunities aligned to organisational priorities and growth ambitions.
• Negotiating and securing complex, high‑value sponsorship agreements with leading global brands.
• Creating innovative multi‑event partnerships that deepen engagement and maximise impact for partners and Climate Group alike.
• Leading sponsorship delivery for flagship events, ensuring sponsors receive an exceptional experience and all commitments are delivered successfully.
• Acting as a trusted advisor and senior point of contact for strategic key accounts, identifying opportunities for renewals, growth and multi‑year partnerships.
• Using partner feedback and market insight to continuously improve our products, services and partnership offering.
• Collaborating with colleagues across communications, legal, finance, systems and programme teams to enhance partner experiences and streamline delivery.
• Contributing to the development of Partner Services strategy, KPIs and long‑term growth plans.
• Coaching and supporting the Senior Sponsorship Officer, helping build capability, confidence and high‑quality delivery across the team.

As a mission‑driven organisation, we may ask colleagues to take on temporary assignments or secondments in a different team to support organisational priorities. We see these as opportunities for development and internal mobility, managed transparently and with appropriate support.

You’ll work in a highly collaborative, international environment, where a diversity of perspectives and experiences is valued and encouraged.

You’ll be an experienced business development or sponsorship professional with a track record of building strategic partnerships and managing complex stakeholder relationships. You’ll be comfortable balancing commercial objectives with organisational values and motivated by the opportunity to contribute to meaningful climate action.

We value strengths and a passion for learning – if you meet most of the criteria below, we encourage…