Job Description

About Innovation Forum

Innovation Forum is a purpose-driven business based in London, committed to making sustainability mainstream in business. We host industry-leading business conferences, publish in-depth analysis, and deliver stakeholder engagement, research and communications services. Our work spans critical sustainability challenges across global supply chains, helping business leaders drive meaningful change.

About the role

We're looking for a Senior Sales Manager to join our growing team and lead sponsorship sales for business conferences focused on the energy transition and supply chain decarbonisation. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with 3-5 years of B2B sponsorship sales experience to take ownership of a sustainability-focused event portfolio. In this role, you will build strategic partnerships with senior decision-makers, tailoring sponsorship packages and annual partnerships which amplify commitments to climate action, build connections with relevant industry leaders, and drive tangible progress on some of the world's most urgent sustainability challenges.

Key responsibilities

Drive sponsorship sales:

Lead the end-to-end sales process from prospecting and outreach to pitching, negotiating, and closing high-value sponsorship deals.

New business development:

You will be owning and growing a new area for IF, so there'll be a focus on new business as you build a client base and set of accounts.

Account management:

Work closely with our operations, marketing, and conference production teams to ensure a seamless sponsor experience and successful event delivery.

Engage senior stakeholders:

Adopt a consultative selling approach to develop trusted relationships with sustainability, energy, and supply chain leaders.

Analyse market trends:

Help inform company strategy based on your understanding of market trends, customer needs, and competitor activity.

Maintain accurate pipeline reporting:

Use CRM (Salesforce) tools to forecast revenue, manage pipelines, and report on performance to the leadership team.

Cross selling:

Identify opportunities to pitch sponsorship across the range of IF conferences and build annual packages. You will also cross-sell our publishing and stakeholder engagement services.

You'll be a great fit if you have:

3-5 years of B2B sponsorship or solution sales experience, ideally within conferences, media, or sustainability sectors. Confident in strategically negotiating and closing deals, with a consultative approach to sales. A self-motivated, results-oriented attitude: you're commercially minded, proactive, organised, and able to manage your own pipeline and workload. A track record of consistently meeting or exceeding sales targets, with strong negotiation and consultative selling skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the confidence to build rapport, present, and pitch effectively. A desire to work in a purpose-led environment and an interest in sustainability is a plus but not a necessity.

What's in it for you?

Real responsibility:

You'll have a high degree of responsibility and autonomy from day one. We'll give you the tools and training you need to succeed and emphasise on-the-job learning. You will quickly become a key part of the business, supported directly by our Chief Partnerships Officer.

Build your knowledge, network, and expertise in sustainability:

You'll work on issues at the cutting edge of sustainability. These are highly complex topics that actively shape business strategy around social and environmental sustainability. This role offers the chance to deepen your knowledge, expand your network, and build meaningful relationships with senior stakeholders across industries.

Work as part of a fun, friendly and supportive team:

We foster an energetic and sociable environment. With regular in-office days, social events, and a relaxed work environment, you'll get to know and collaborate with every member of the IF team.

Additional perks:

Hybrid working (minimum 5 days in the office over 2 weeks) Reduced Friday hours (half days over the summer and 4pm finish on Fridays year-round) Relaxed, informal office atmosphere The opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment in a growing business Tuesday breakfast in the office Regular team activities and away days 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays Shutdown over Christmas period
Ready to apply? If you're excited by the opportunity to work at the intersection of business, sustainability, and innovation, and have the drive to grow a high-impact sponsorship portfolio, we'd love to hear from you.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Work Location: Hybrid remote in London EC2M 3TY