PRIDE IN LONDON: HEAD OF PARTNERSHIPS

Building partnerships that power Pride and strengthen LGBTQIA+ communities

Reports to        Chief Executive Officer

Contract           Full-time, permanent, paid role

Location           London-based, with hybrid working

Salary              £65,000 per annum

Benefits            30 days annual leave plus bank holidays; pension; discretionary performance bonus

THE OPPORTUNITY

Lead the partnerships that sustain Pride in London, deepen our impact and create long-term value for LGBTQIA+ communities.

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