Head of Partnerships

We're looking for an experienced and commercially driven Head of Partnerships to lead our partnerships and sponsorship strategy at YTL Live.

This is a key leadership role responsible for securing new partnerships, strengthening existing relationships and ensuring our activations deliver real impact for clients and audiences.

You'll bring a blend of commercial acumen, creativity and team leadership, helping to shape how brands collaborate with one of the most exciting live entertainment venues in the region.

What you'll do

You'll take ownership of the partnerships function, driving revenue growth and ensuring the smooth, high-quality delivery of all brand programmes. This includes overseeing proposal development, managing negotiations and closing high-value deals.

You'll design partnership strategies, build activation plans and ensure clients' objectives are met while also delivering against business priorities.

A key part of the role involves actively researching market trends and industry developments to inform our sales strategy and strengthen our product offering.

You'll represent YTL Live externally, attending events to network, build connections and generate leads, while continuing to develop a strong pipeline through your own prospecting and outreach.

You'll guide the daily activity of the Partnerships team, offering regular coaching, support and performance feedback.  

You'll also monitor the effectiveness of sales campaigns, track budgets and report regularly to the management team with insights and strategic recommendations.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• leading proposals, negotiations and the closing of new and renewed partnership deals
• creating partnership strategies, activation plans and tailored marketing programmes
• meeting or exceeding annual sponsorship revenue targets
• researching new technologies, trends and developments to enhance our sales strategy
• attending external industry events to network and gather leads
• generating new business through referrals, networking, social selling and targeted research
• providing day-to-day leadership, guidance and coaching to the Partnerships team
• evaluating team activity, offering regular feedback and supporting development
• reporting on budgets, campaign effectiveness and team performance to senior management.

What you'll need

You'll bring strong experience in commercial partnerships, ideally within live entertainment, sports or a similar industry.  

You'll have a track record of generating revenue, negotiating long-term high-value contracts and pitching successfully to senior decision makers.

You'll understand how to spot opportunities, build creative solutions and develop strategies that deliver for both clients and the business.

You will also be a confident leader who can coach, motivate and empower a team to excel.

Strong interpersonal skills are essential, as well as the ability to influence at all levels and build strong relationships across the region.

You should demonstrate:

• proven success in closing high-value commercial partnership or sponsorship deals
• experience negotiating long-term, complex contracts with senior stakeholders
• creative prospecting skills and the ability to source and target new clients
• a strong network in Bristol or the surrounding area
• knowledge of target demographics, client brands and partnership marketing
• understanding of advertising and marketing concepts and their role within brand partnerships
• excellent negotiation, influencing, communication and presentation skills
• experience managing and developing a high performing team
• flexibility to work evenings and weekends when needed
• proficiency with Microsoft Office and confidence using new systems.

What you'll receive

• A combined pension contribution of up to 20%.
• Career progression and professional development opportunities.
• 25 days' holiday rising to 28 with length of service.
• The opportunity to sell up to five days of holiday every year.
• The opportunity to buy up to ten days of holiday each year (subject to conditions).
• A healthcare package that allows you to claim back healthcare costs.
• Life assurance of up to eight times your salary.
• The opportunity to lease a new electric car through salary sacrifice (subject to conditions).
• Cashback and discounts from more than 3,000 retailers.
• One paid volunteering day each year.
• Enhanced family leave and pay arrangements.
• Access to an interactive health and wellbeing platform.
• Support from trained mental health first aiders.
• A £1,000 referral fee if you recommend someone who is successfully recruited by us.

Who we are

YTL UK is part of the international YTL Group based in Kuala Lumpur. The UK companies include:

• Wessex Water – one of the top-performing water and sewerage companies in England and Wales, serving 2.9 million people across the South West
• YTL Developments – a major UK developer currently redeveloping a 350-acre former airfield into an award-winning, exciting mix of houses, apartments, schools, commercial space, restaurants and hotels, to make a truly sustainable new community
• YTL Construction UK – a top 20 UK contractor providing fully integrated services to infrastructure, residential, commercial, industry, energy and environmental sectors
• YTL Live – the development and operation of an entertainment complex that includes a 20,000 capacity arena, conferencing and exhibition space
• plus a number of other retail, environmental and specialist businesses.

Our people tell us that YTL UK is a great place to work, which is why so many of them stay with us! You will have a unique opportunity to develop and progress your career within such a diverse group.

We are passionate about diversity and inclusion – with that in mind, all applicants are welcome. We are delighted to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and are a Disability Confident Employer.

If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process, please inform a member of our Recruitment team.