The purpose of the Partnership Manager role is to take responsibility for the day-to-day management of commercial and community activity at Highcross, in line with our objectives of delivering a first-class customer experience.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate exceptional communication skills and an ability to interact effectively at all levels.

The Partnership Manager will work with relevant stakeholders to maximise mall income whilst not compromising on the highest visual standards, and work independently to generate new business via new and established local business to drive revenue and meet annual budget targets.

The Partnership Manager will be responsible for managing the relationship with any external Commercialisation agency appointed by the Landlord, to include overseeing all activity and coordinating monthly reporting as required.

In collaboration with the Head of Marketing, the Partnership Manager will be responsible for creating and executing the void activation strategy for Highcross, working in partnership with local organisations on initiatives that bring prosperity and encourage inclusivity within Highcross in line with the centre’s business plan.

With line management responsibility for the Events Executive, the Partnership Manager will be responsible for supporting the Head of Marketing with the creation and delivery of the centre’s event strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Commercialisation

• Develop and deliver the annual commercialisation strategy for Highcross.
• To work independently towards achieving the commercialisation income targets set by the Landlord, through the management of any external agencies, in addition to generating and managing own portfolio.
• To proactively monitor the expiries of any existing lease/licence agreements and engage with vendors in advance of expiry to discuss new terms. Once acceptable terms have been agreed, to prepare recommendations to the Client.
• To identify, develop and implement new ideas which create sustainable income streams and add value to customer experience.
• To work closely with the Asset team and commercial partners to find appropriate new sites for mall and external activity.
• Deliver reports, feedback and financial information to the surveying and Asset teams as required.
• To work with the Head of Marketing to ensure that all commercial activity forms part of the overall marketing strategy and events calendar for the year.
• To forge excellent relationships with commercial occupiers in order to encourage provision and collection of sales turnover details, and where applicable to calculate turnover rents due.
• Liaison with commercial occupiers at both site and head office level at an operational level to cover day to day issues.
• To be first point of contact at centre level for all commercial initiatives (both existing and new) and to work alongside the Head of Marketing to manage these initiatives.
• To coordinate the full delivery process from implementation to removal of commercial projects at centre level.
• To proactively monitor ongoing commercialisation activity to ensure the highest operational and visual standards – especially in regard to temporary mall promotions.
• To administer the collation and approvals of all documentation in a timely manner for the centre’s promotional bookings including licences, health and safety documents, PLI, fire certificates and PATs and maintain up to date records.
• To work alongside the Head of Marketing and commercial partners to generate additional revenue via the sponsorship of centre events and initiatives.
• To conduct local meetings with suppliers regarding space allocations, etc at centre level.
• To communicate and liaise with Centre Management, Marketing and Asset teams to achieve and exceed where possible, budgeted targets.
• To challenge and improve existing services and facilities through innovation and have an awareness of best-in-class commercialisation across other similar sites to further drive income at Highcross.
• To conduct half yearly eligibility checks for promotional retailers.
• Daily site walks required to ensure all the mall activity and display standards are maintained across all activities – challenge where standards are not being met.

Community

• Develop and implement an engaging corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy for Highcross in line with the business plan.
• In collaboration with the Head of Marketing, the Partnership Manager will be responsible for creating and executing the void activation strategy for the centre.
• Work with the Highcross Chairty of the Year, sourcing fundraising / awareness opportunities for local causes.
• Plan, co-ordinate and implement an internal calendar of staff, charity and community events and ensure these are integrated effectively with other activity at the centre.
• Lead the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion committee to ensure continuous improvement of inclusion is celebrated across the centre.
• Contribute to staff wellbeing and cohesive working by promoting social events, staff initiatives, CSR training opportunities and developing a volunteering programme, offering time and expertise to contribute to the local economy.
• Establish and strengthen relationships with both internal and external parties, fostering links for community cohesion.
• To work alongside and represent the Company within various business partnerships.
• Build on and develop local educational partnerships with local universities and colleges.
• To source sponsorship and external funding to maximise initiatives.
• Create and oversee the centre apprenticeship programme.

General

• To produce regular management and board reports as requested and present budgets for approval including impact reporting.
• To deputise for the Head of Marketing and be part of the duty management team and rota which will include on call and weekend working in line with centre’s out-of-hours press support and duty management rota / needs of the business.
• To line manager the Events Executive.
• To support the Head of Marketing with any reactive media, including crisis management situations.
• Any other duties as appropriate.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Be someone who takes the initiative and drives results.
• Strong organisational and task management skills.
• Solve problems and provide innovative solutions.
• Experience of generating revenue through sponsorship and partnerships.
• The ability to manage and achieve annual budget targets.
• Able to work on own initiative or as part of a team and meet tight deadlines.
• Demonstrate excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Standards driven with excellent attention to detail.
• Experience of engaging and influencing both management and delivery teams.
• Utmost discretion when dealing with sensitive or confidential information.
• Willingness to adopt a flexible approach to working patterns to respond to the demands of a retailing environment.
• Good understanding of ESG and governance around CSR.
• Must be empathetic, understanding, and compassionate.
• Ability to maintain an objective and positive focus through periods of high and sustained work pressure.
• Line management experience with the ability to motivate and build morale, inspiring others.
• Good organisational, negotiation and planning skills.
• Results orientated skills to deliver key results.

Desirable

• Sponsorship / grant bid writing experience.
• Experience within the retail sector at manager level.
• Ability to use full range of Microsoft applications inc. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.
• Knowledge of finance management.
• Knowledge of Leicester.
• Knowledge of Data Protection Legislation.
• Understanding of Health & Safety principles in relation to event management and customer safety.

Working Hours - 40 hours

Salary - £35,000

Please see our Benefits Booklet for more information.