Deadline: 10th December 2027

About Pride in London

London LGBT Community Pride CIC (LLCP), known as Pride in London, is a dynamic, predominantly volunteer-powered organisation. We deliver London’s annual Pride celebrations and work year-round to champion LGBTQIA+ visibility, unity and equality.

We are a Community Interest Company. Any surplus we generate is reinvested in our organisation, programmes and initiatives that benefit the diverse LGBTQIA+ communities we serve. Our partnerships are therefore about more than income: they should create shared value, strengthen our impact and reflect our values.

The role

The Head of Partnerships is a senior, full-time leadership role responsible for developing and delivering Pride in London’s partnership and income-growth strategy. Reporting to the CEO, the postholder will lead corporate partnerships and oversee relevant income streams, including sponsorship, licensing and fundraising activity.

This is both a strategic and hands-on role. The postholder will build a strong pipeline, secure and grow high-value partnerships, lead the full partnership lifecycle and ensure every commitment is delivered to a consistently high standard. They will balance commercial ambition with Pride in London’s purpose, reputation and responsibility to LGBTQIA+ communities.

What success will look like

A clear, ambitious and achievable partnerships and growth strategy aligned with Pride in London’s organisational priorities.

Sustainable year-on-year income growth, supported by a healthy and diverse pipeline of new and renewed partners.

Strong retention and increased long-term value from existing corporate relationships.

High-quality delivery of contractual rights, benefits, activations and reporting.

Partnerships that are credible, values-aligned and capable of creating meaningful community impact.

Accurate forecasting, effective budget management and clear reporting to the CEO and Board.

Key responsibilities

Partnerships strategy and income growth

Develop and deliver a multi-year partnerships and growth strategy covering sponsorship, licensing and other agreed income opportunities.

Set annual income targets, pipeline measures and account-growth plans with the CEO, and take ownership of delivery against them.

Identify opportunities to diversify income and reduce reliance on a small number of partners or sectors.

Use audience, impact and market insight to strengthen Pride in London’s proposition and develop compelling partnership opportunities.

Contribute to organisational planning and provide commercial advice that supports sustainable growth.

Business development and partner acquisition

Build and maintain a robust prospect pipeline, identifying brands and organisations whose ambitions and values align with Pride in London.

Lead the engagement process from prospecting and qualification through proposal development, negotiation, due diligence and contract execution.

Create persuasive, tailored proposals and presentations that communicate Pride in London’s reach, impact and partnership value.

Represent Pride in London externally, building senior relationships and opening new networks and opportunities.

Work with legal, finance and other colleagues to ensure agreements are commercially sound, deliverable and appropriately governed.

Account management and partnership delivery

Own senior relationships with key partners and ensure each has a clear account plan, objectives, delivery schedule and renewal strategy.

Oversee the delivery of contractual rights and benefits across Pride in London’s annual event and year-round programmes.

Coordinate internal teams and volunteers so that partner commitments are understood, planned and delivered on time.

Ensure partner activations are inclusive, accessible, authentic and consistent with Pride in London’s brand and values.

Measure performance, communicate impact and lead timely post-campaign reviews, renewal discussions and opportunities for growth.

Resolve delivery issues promptly and protect Pride in London’s reputation and relationships.

Commercial management and reporting

Maintain accurate pipeline, income and renewal forecasts, with clear visibility of risks, dependencies and mitigation actions.

Manage relevant budgets and financial information, working closely with the CEO and finance team on invoicing, credit control and reconciliation.

Ensure partnership records, proposals, contracts, benefits and communications are accurate, current and appropriately documented.

Provide regular performance reports to the CEO and, where required, the Board or relevant committee.

Support effective pricing, packaging and evaluation of partnership assets and opportunities.

Leadership and cross-organisational working

Lead, support and develop the partnerships function, including any employees, volunteers, contractors or agency support assigned to it.

Create an inclusive, accountable and collaborative team culture with clear priorities and ways of working.

Work closely with marketing, communications, events, finance, community engagement and operational teams to align partnership activity.

Build understanding across the organisation of partner needs, contractual commitments and shared commercial responsibilities.

Act as a positive and visible senior leader, contributing to Pride in London’s wider culture, strategy and organisational development.

Reputation, values and community impact

Apply appropriate due diligence and judgement to ensure prospective and existing partners align with Pride in London’s values and policies.

Work with community, DEI, marketing and communications colleagues to ensure partnerships are credible and sensitive to community priorities.

Help partners move beyond performative engagement by developing activity that creates meaningful, measurable value for LGBTQIA+ communities.

Maintain awareness of reputational, ethical and sector risks and escalate concerns promptly.

Act as an ambassador for Pride in London and the wider Pride movement.

Person specification

Essential experience and knowledge

Significant experience in a senior partnerships, sponsorship, business development or commercial role, with personal accountability for income.

A strong track record of securing, growing and retaining high-value corporate partnerships.

Experience managing the complete partnership lifecycle, from prospecting and proposals through negotiation, contracting, activation and renewal.

Experience preparing and presenting compelling commercial proposals to senior decision-makers.

Strong financial and commercial acumen, including target setting, pipeline forecasting, budget management and performance reporting.

Experience leading people and coordinating effective delivery across multidisciplinary teams.

Strong understanding of brand partnerships, sponsorship rights, account management and reputational risk.

A genuine commitment to LGBTQIA+ equality and to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.

Skills and personal attributes

Strategic and entrepreneurial, with the ability to turn ambition into clear plans and measurable results.

An outstanding relationship builder who inspires trust and can influence at senior level.

A confident communicator, presenter and negotiator, with excellent written and verbal skills.

Commercially rigorous while remaining thoughtful, ethical and mission-led.

Highly organised, analytical and comfortable managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

A collaborative and inclusive leader who works effectively with paid colleagues and volunteers.

Resilient, adaptable and solutions-focused in a fast-moving event and community environment.

Passionate about Pride in London’s work and the national and global Pride movement.

Desirable

Experience in a charity, non-profit, Community Interest Company, membership organisation or major-event environment.

Knowledge of the LGBTQIA+ sector and established networks across business, agencies or community organisations.

Experience of licensing, fundraising or developing new commercial products and income streams.

Experience using CRM systems and building effective pipeline and account-management processes.

Salary and benefits

Our commitment to inclusion

Pride in London is committed to creating an organisation that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from people who are underrepresented in leadership roles, including women, trans and non-binary people, disabled people and people from Black, Asian and other global majority communities.

We are committed to making our recruitment process accessible. Applicants are encouraged to tell us about any reasonable adjustments they may need during the process.

How to apply

Please submit your CV and a supporting statement explaining how your experience meets the requirements of the role. Recruitment timetable and application details will be confirmed in the vacancy advertisement.