Manager of Strategic Partnerships

As the Manager of Strategic Partnerships for DWP, you will play a crucial role in building and maintaining long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with sponsors, brand partners, and key industry stakeholders. You will leverage your expertise in partnership management and the music festival industry to identify new opportunities for growth and innovation, ensuring our festivals continue to attract and engage high-profile partners while enhancing the festival's overall brand presence.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Identify, cultivate, and secure strategic partnerships with brands, agencies, and industry stakeholders, aligning with the festival's values and target audience.

• Develop tailored proposals and partnership packages that create value for both the festival and the partner, including sponsorships and co-branded initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong, long-lasting relationships with existing and potential partners, ensuring partners' needs are met while fostering collaborative and innovative opportunities.
• Act as the primary point of contact for all partnership-related inquiries and issues, ensuring clear and consistent communication.
• Conduct regular industry research to stay ahead of trends, emerging brand opportunities, and new partnership models.
• Provide insights into competitor festivals and the broader music/events industry to ensure DWP remains competitive in attracting premium partnerships.
• Track the performance and ROI of partnerships, providing regular updates and post-festival reports to partners.
• Analyze partnership outcomes and suggest improvements for future partnership strategies.
• Assist in the creation and management of the partnerships budget, ensuring that financial targets are met while providing exceptional value to partners.

• Participate in pre-event and on-site activities, ensuring a smooth experience for partners and addressing any challenges or opportunities that arise during the event.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or related field.

• 3-5 years of experience in strategic partnerships, sponsorships, or business development, preferably within the music, live events, sports, or entertainment industry.
• Proven track record of building and managing successful corporate partnerships.
• Strong negotiation skills with the ability to manage complex contracts and partnerships.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to present ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple partnerships simultaneously while maintaining high attention to detail.
• A deep understanding of the live music festival landscape and the sponsorships that resonate with festival-goers and brands.
• Familiarity with brand strategy and digital engagement methods.
• Creative and strategic thinker with a passion for live music and the festival industry.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work with a variety of stakeholders in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Results-driven and solution-oriented with a high level of initiative and independence.
• Experience with event planning or festival production.

• A solid network of contacts within the sponsorship and music festival industries.

The estimated salary range for this position is $90,000 - $125,00 plus compensation and includes medical/dental/vision/401k benefits. Base pay depends on experience. This represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of DWP's total compensation package for employees.