Senior Operations and Partnerships Manager (1 year maternity cover)

ABOUT US

Sofar Sounds is a global community that connects artists and audiences through unique and intimate experiences. We bring people together to create space for discovery, community and connection in non-traditional, unexpected places across 78 countries and growing.

We are deeply passionate about the work we do. When we’re not working, you can probably find us at a live show or telling anyone in earshot about the new song we can’t stop listening to. Discovering and supporting artists gets us out of bed every morning – and knowing that we’re creating memorable, intimate fan experiences worldwide drives our work forward.

The Role

As the Senior Operations and Partnerships Manager for London, you will have three key objectives:

• Develop and drive sponsorships and partnerships successfully end-to-end, from initial pitching to successful execution
• Project Manager for our large event programme, and support everyday booking operations.
• Help scale and improve operations of all of our Experiences, including supporting London’s independent event producers.
• This is a 12 month partial maternity cover for the General Manager, starting Jan 1 and reporting into the VP Experiences, with an opportunity for successful candidates to extend their engagement. This is an incredible opportunity for people who are passionate about live events, customer experience, and building community. Please note that this is a full-time role with annual bonus based on city performance targets. It requires on-call, night and weekend availability.

What You'll Do

• Partnerships:
• Lead account management for our high profile sponsorships, partnerships and pitch potential partners and sponsors, driving additional revenue for the London P&L
• Grow our corporate events business in London, building out our preferred supplier list to be able to offer a “full service” corporate event
• Large Event programme:
• Drive forward our large event programme, ensuring they are executed to the highest standard and generate high revenue and profit margin. Work closely with our Senior Marketing Manager on the programme’s positioning and USP’s.
• Build relationships with partners (venues, artists, bookers) to be able to deliver these large format events
• Manage all staffing requirements, leading a team of contractors and recruiting freelancers to deliver the event
• Operational excellence:
• Be a leader within the team to drive forward Sofar London’s Live Event portfolio and hit our revenue targets.
• Work with our independent event producers to deliver new event formats, concepts and locations for Sofar that grow our market share, looking to continuously improve operations to create a best-in-class customer experience
• In collaboration with the Bookings and Operations Coordinator manage all gear and supplies, ensuring our teams have the equipment needed to execute each show safely and efficiently
• Team management:
• Oversee a diverse and inclusive Crew/Intern hiring, onboarding, training, management and mentoring process in your city
• In collaboration with the Bookings and Operations Coordinator, ensure all events are properly staffed, managing communications and proactively coordinating substitutions when necessary, and approving time cards
• During the mat cover, you will also oversee London’s booking team and share responsibility with the Senior Marketing Manager to run meetings.

Who You Are

• You have 7+ years of experience in operations, partnerships, innovation, promotions, and/or live events.
• You know what it takes to create a high quality event, grounded in principles of hospitality first and foremost.
• You are resourceful and driven – whether it’s figuring out how to creatively sell tickets or dealing with a live event curveball, you know how to get things done and thrive on the challenge.
• You have a strong pulse on your city, the unique nature of each neighborhood, and where people like to spend their free time.
• You know how to connect with diverse community-driven organizations, media partners, or local businesses that would add strategic value to the work we are doing in your city
• You understand how to promote and build strategic alliances that will ultimately sell more tickets at our shows.
• You’re able to effectively communicate learnings, strategic recommendations, and feedback to your peers and partners.
• You have a deep and demonstrated commitment to supporting a vibrant and diverse creative community in your city.

If our mission and job opening resonate, you're encouraged to apply even if your experience doesn't precisely match the job description. We are committed to creating a culture of belonging and building a diverse team that reflects a variety of lived experiences, perspectives, and skills.

Please note that this is a full-time role with quarterly bonus based on city performance targets.

This is a hybrid position, with at least two days per week in our Old Street office.