About the PRI

The PRI is the world’s leading proponent of responsible investment. It works to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and to support its international network of investor signatories in incorporating these factors into their investment and ownership decisions.

The PRI’s three distinct capabilities relate to the core elements of the PRI’s approach to achieving a sustainable financial system.

• Translate RI (Responsible Investment) thought leadership into insights and practical support that is tailored to what signatories need to progress their RI practice

• Convene our vast network to create opportunities for collaborative action

• Harness our global scale to influence policymakers and regulators to effect system change

Job Description

The Head of Sponsorship is responsible for building and leading all phases of PRI’s sponsorship activities. This includes developing and maintaining the sponsorship portfolio for the PRI’s flagship event; PRI in Person which currently hosts 1,000+ attendees over three days with several side events and parallel and adjacent events.  It is designed to bring together signatories, the broader investment industry, policy makers, academics and the media to collaborate to drive the responsible investment agenda forward.

The Head of Sponsorship will also work across other online and regional event opportunities including our Digital Forum and upcoming regional event activity (TBD), in line with our drive to bring together regional ecosystems and also tap into new revenue streams.  The candidate will require strong business acumen and entrepreneurial expertise as well as excellent stakeholder management skills. 

Core Responsibilities

Planning

• Develop the long-term sponsorship strategy for PRI’s online and in-person annual event programme, ensuring it reflects PRI’s global leadership in responsible investment, offering fresh insights on approach and opportunities and horizon scanning for opportunities and challenges in upcoming years

• Assess international and local market potential and drivers, and in-country considerations to advise on appropriate sponsorship packages and revenue targets

• Collaborate with the Director of Events to set annual sponsorship targets for PRI in Person and other digital, regional and/or hybrid events 

• Include plans to develop, test and implement annual plans for growing sponsor revenues through price increases and/or new packages with a view to maximising revenue for the PRI and adding value for sponsors 

• Enhance existing sponsorship protocols and best practices and work with legal counsel/in-house expert to ensure contracts and commitments are fit for purpose. 

Implementation and Delivery

• Manage the portfolio of existing and prospective sponsors, fostering long-term partnerships

• Manage all sponsorship activity for the global flagship event PRI in Person, including co-ordinating the Lead Sponsor selection process, sharing relevant documentation to directors to make an informed decision, and handling the onboarding process of the Lead and all other sponsors

• Develop a clear communication process with the Lead and all other sponsors for PRI in Person, ensuring they are engaged regularly to ensure optimum working relationships and visibility on key event features and delivery milestones across the event campaign

• Develop the remaining sponsorship suite and prepare the brochure

• Identify potential sponsors from various sources, especially previous sponsors and close collaboration with the local RI ecosystems team

• Engage and pitch sponsors, write proposals, managing contracting and any agreement revisions

• Manage all sponsorship activity for our online Digital Forum

• Provide regular reporting including prospect activity and forecast reports to Director of Events and briefings to PRI Chief’s as necessary

• Interface with PRI platforms to create and manage online sponsorship programs to ensure a steady stream of prospects and future sales

• Conduct all sponsor follow-up and support, ensuring the highest standards of customer service, in keeping with PRI’s brand and pricing structures of events. 

Ongoing

• Annual review of packages to adapt the sponsorship offering accordingly for local markets (noting the annual event is in a different geographical location each year).

• Wider monitoring of the event sponsorship arena for online and in-person events, being aware of the latest innovations to ensure PRI events retain our competitive advantage

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Person Specification

Essential

• Demonstrable results in sponsorship sales with a proven track record of sales success

• Extensive experience in a conference organising role with strong focus in developing and executing sponsorship programmes, and the ability to adapt the offering to suit different markets

• Excellent networking and interpersonal skills and experience of building strong and productive relationships at a senior level.  This will include internal and external stakeholders, and a clear understanding of what drives people and how to achieve optimal outcomes.   

• Strong verbal (including public speaking) and written communications skills in English.

• Ability to engage and motivate, present complex information and lead meetings with senior stakeholders.

• A collaborative and consultative approach to working with others and committed to fostering an inclusive environment 

• Demonstrates a commitment to developing others and a growth mindset, actively pursuing continuous profession and personal development

• IT/Digital skills - Microsoft Office (including Teams), Salesforce, social media, webcasts etc

• As this is a global role, international travel may be required, including attendance at our annual conference, and a small number of trips in advance of the event to attend sponsorship related meetings, and scoping trips for upcoming event locations.

Desirable

• Subject matter understanding of ESG and the broader finance space, notably around the sustainable finance agenda and responsible investment issues (ESG disclosure and data, reporting standards, corporate governance etc.) is desirable.

• Previous experience within the financial services, asset management and/or asset owner industry is desirable.

• Well-developed people management skills and experience of leading, with the potential to manage a supporting team member

• Language skills, other than English, are desirable

We particularly welcome candidates from under-represented groups, including Black, Asian, and other People of Colour, those with visible or non-visible disabilities, LGBTQ+ candidates and those who are neurodivergent.

The PRI is committed to offering flexibility to our employees, both formal (e.g. part-time work) and informal (e.g. a shift in hours to accommodate caring responsibilities). Please talk to us about how we could make this role flexible for you.

N.B. We reserve the right to close a vacancy before the closing date in the event of an overwhelming response or a change in business priorities.