Sponsorship Lead – Partnership Development

Building a strong Commercial Function in Government, and with it the right commercial capability, is at the heart of a far-reaching programme of Civil Service reform.

We are building a cadre of commercial talent in all Government departments; people who can manage our commercial portfolios, who can lead our most complex and novel programmes and projects, people who have the gravitas and depth of experience to work alongside our policy and operational leaders to develop innovative commercial arrangements, whether through joint ventures, outsourcing or best-in-class contracts.

The Government Commercial Organisation is an employer which is truly committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive workplace where all our people are able to bring their whole selves to work and are able to perform to their potential. We understand the importance of diversity and inclusion and strive for a workplace that reflects the communities which we serve. We especially welcome applications from underrepresented groups including Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, candidates with a disability and candidates with gender-diverse identities. Appointments will be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition.

We have already made significant progress through the establishment of the Government Commercial Organisation (GCO), our single employer of senior commercial talent across government. This role will sit within the GCO, but based in our Department for Business and Trade commercial team delivering departmental objectives.

The Sponsorship Lead will have responsibility for selling sponsorship rights for the UK Government’s events and campaigns as well as managing relationships with internal event and campaign owners and building impactful partnerships with industry. This is a sales target-driven role where you will be actively establishing new sales leads and closing new business. 

Working across the UK Government (including working with Ministers) and with senior business leaders (including at CEO level), you will work on some of the most high-profile government and business events that take place both in the UK and overseas. 
 
As a member of the Government Commercial Organisation and operating within DBT Commercial, you will play a leading role in the team, actively supporting colleagues to deliver against team objectives, representing the team at a senior level and promoting our sponsorship offering to wider government and industry. 

The main responsibilities are likely to include: –

• Lead high-value sponsorship sales activity and take responsibility for revenue across several key sectors and events from rights packaging and lead generation to contract negotiation, working with the legal team to agree sponsorship contracts.

• Develop creative contact strategies to identify and connect with key decision makers and influencers within target accounts.

• Create and present compelling proposals to prospects, communicating effectively as a government representative.

• Manage the internal event client relationship including reporting and providing insight.

• Be responsible for establishing, developing and maintaining effective collaboration with cross-functional project teams across DIT, Whitehall and across the wider public / private sectors.

• Contribute to the development of sponsorship strategy, policy, governance and processes. 

• Some line management responsibilities will be required.

Additional Information: – 

• Interviews will be in person, at Old Admiralty Building, London SW1A 2BL.

Guidance note re SC, this role needs to follow CO and DBT guidance, therefor:

• For Security Clearance, Cabinet Office (CO) requires candidates to have been physically resident in the UK for the last 5 years with no gaps.
• For Security Clearance, DBT requires that candidates should have been physically resident in the UK for the 3 in last 5 years (minimum).

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Market Insight: Deep understanding of sponsorship as a marketing tool backed up with a proven track record of creating value through sponsorship.
• Commercial Focus: Proven experience of operating in a consultative approach to generate strong commercial results through the securing of sponsorship.
• Builds Relationships: Experience of influencing key stakeholders, colleagues at a senior level within a highly complex, fast-moving, commercially focused environment.
• Coaching Manager: Experience of influencing others to help deliver operational objectives. Helping others achieve their true potential, though coaching, mentoring and disciplined delivery of day-to-day priorities.

As a valued employee of the Government Commercial Organisation (GCO), you will have access to all the benefits the centre has to offer; including flexible working, generous benefits, Career Coaches, Mentors, L&D, a Commercial College, active talent management and, most importantly, access to commercial projects that will far exceed the scale and complexity on offer elsewhere in the UK.

For existing Civil Servants: For full details of the impact on any move across the civil service on your existing terms and conditions, please read the candidate pack. Please note that any move across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to continue to claim childcare vouchers.

Job contact :

• Name : Stephen Sharpe
• Email : commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : commercialresourcinghub@cabinetoffice.gov.uk