Department: Development

Reports to: Head of Development

About Us

At Theatre Royal, we’re a bold, creative, and collaborative team. We are always looking ahead – embracing new ideas and delivering with purpose.

We’re here to achieve the organisation’s strategy, and we believe everyone plays a part in shaping our success.

Our Values:

• Ambitious – We strive for excellence and quality in everything we do.
• Inclusive – We celebrate diversity and welcome different voices and perspectives.
• Collaborative – We build trust and work in partnership to achieve shared success.
• Creative – We nurture creativity and celebrate imagination and originality in everyone.
• Progressive – We’re forward-thinking, embracing change and looking to the future.

About the Role

This role exists to support Theatre Royal’s mission and strategy by contributing your skills, knowledge, and experience to deliver excellent outcomes for the organisation and our audiences.

While your key responsibilities are outlined below, our work evolves. We value flexibility and ask all colleagues to be willing to undertake reasonable duties within their skills and experience to help achieve our shared goals. You’ll also work in line with our policies, procedures, and legal requirements, including health and safety, safeguarding, and data protection.

The Business Partnerships Manager's specific role is to manage and grow the Theatre’s Business Membership and Sponsorship income streams while supporting the Development Strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Business Membership & Sponsorship Management

• Research, cultivate and secure new Business Member and Sponsorship partners, building relationships through networking and targeted approaches.
• Research, develop and initiate new business relationships, developing and managing a pipeline of prospects to both win Businesses Members and secure sponsorship for key theatre priorities.
• Support the development of the Business Membership Scheme and Sponsorship programme, contributing to income targets.
• Collaborate with the Head of Hospitality to understand and maximise business partnership income.
• Develop innovative and bespoke sponsorship packages in collaboration with the Head of Development, tailoring benefits to align with partner objectives and organisational priorities.
• Carry out Due Diligence to ensure new partners align with the Theatre’s Ethical Fundraising Policy.

Events & Engagement

• Plan and deliver Business Member and Sponsor related events in collaboration with the Development Coordinator and Hospitality Team.
• Attend key theatre sponsorship and business member events to represent the organisation and strengthen partnerships.
• Support the wider Development Team to deliver key events and moments of Surprise and Delight.

Marketing & Communications

• Oversee the production and distribution of newsletters and other communications for Business Members and Sponsors.
• Liaise with the Marketing and Communications team to support the promotion of Business Membership and Sponsorship.

Administration & Coordination

• Collaborate with the Development Coordinator in delivering administrative tasks such as ticket booking, contract preparation, and onboarding of new Business Members and sponsors, undertaking these duties as required during their absence.
• Ensure timely input of enquiries and correspondence through Tessitura, maintaining accurate records and a clean database.
• Produce regular reports on Business Membership and Sponsorship performance, including figures, turnover, and trends.

The post-holder will be offered induction training as well as ongoing training and professional development based on the needs of the individual and requirements of the post.

Duties as a member of the Theatre Royal team

• Provide clear leadership, direction, and support to your team.
• Oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring tasks are delivered effectively and efficiently.
• Manage and develop team members through regular feedback and coaching.
• Ensure team members comply with all relevant policies and procedures, including health and safety, safeguarding, and data protection.
• Report and manage any concerns or incidents in line with organisational processes.
• Support staff wellbeing and foster a positive, inclusive working environment.
• Contribute to process improvements and collaborative initiatives.
• Carry out your role to a high standard, using your skills and knowledge to help achieve Theatre Royal’s goals.
• Work flexibly, adapting to changing priorities and supporting colleagues as needed.
• Follow all policies and procedures, including health and safety, safeguarding, and data protection.
• Report any concerns or incidents promptly and appropriately.
• Deliver excellent service to audiences, stakeholders, and colleagues.
• Actively engage with opportunities for learning and development.
• Contribute ideas and feedback to help improve our work and processes.

Person Specification

These criteria will be used in the shortlisting process. If you’re interested in the role, and have relevant experience, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every requirement

• Experience in fundraising, sponsorship, business development or sales.
• Skilled and confident commercial thinker, able to understand key business drivers.
• Experience of working to and achieving targets.
• Experience managing business or sponsorship partnerships.
• Strong relationship building and networking skills with senior stakeholders.
• Experience designing tailored sponsorship packages.
• Skilled in planning and delivering events.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including reports and newsletters.
• Familiarity with due diligence and ethical fundraising policies.
• IT Literate with experience of using CRM systems.
• Ability to analyse data and report on performance.
• Flexible, collaborative, and able to adapt to changing priorities.

Application deadline:

• 21st June midnight. Please apply via the linked application form.

Interviews:

• Expected to take place on 6th or 7th July.

Hours

• Full - Time - 39 hours per week.

Salary

We are currently offering a salary of £34,125 for this role.

We’re also in the process of developing a clearer pay progression structure across the organisation, as part of our commitment to fair and transparent reward.

This salary reflects the initial positioning of the role within our current benchmarking, with scope to grow as the role and individual develop. If you would like to discuss this further, please let us know.

Annual Leave

27 days plus 8 bank holidays

EAP

• Employee Assistance Programme available to all staff and their household members

Employee benefits

• Critical Illness and Death in Service Cover
• Employee Assistance Programme available to all staff and their household members
• Discounted Travel Scheme - discounted Metro and bus travel.
• Discounted Tickets - Access to staff discounted tickets for performances, subject to availability
• NE1 Discount card - Access to city centre discounts and activities.
• NGCV Discounts - Theatre Royal staff have access to discounts across 10 Newcastle Gateshead Cultural Venues.

Working at the Theatre

We aim to make everyone feel welcome at the Theatre. If you need any adjustments at the time of applying or within the role please let us know at any stage in the process by contacting: recruitment@theatreroyal.co.uk

Accessibility information

Information about access can be found here. Please contact us to discuss any specific needs or requirements.