Alliance Française de Sydney (AFS) is seeking an experienced and commercially driven Senior Manager to lead strategic partnerships and revenue development across two not for profit cultural organisations: Alliance Française de Sydney (AFS) and the Alliance Française French Film Festival (AFFFF).
This is a hands-on, high-impact leadership role for a proven partnerships and business development professional who can independently secure sponsorship, commercial partnerships and other revenue opportunities, while strengthening the visibility and long-term sustainability of both organisations.
Based in Sydney CBD, the role reports directly to the General Manager of AFS and works closely with the CEO of the AFFFF national entity. The successful candidate will join the AFS Executive Leadership Team alongside the Finance & Administration Manager and the Education & Operations Manager.
The AFS remit encompasses partnerships, marketing, cultural engagement and audience development, while the AFFFF focuses exclusively on sponsorship and commercial partnerships.
This is a senior revenue leadership role with full accountability for sponsorship, partnerships and revenue development across both organisations.
The role delivers agreed annual revenue targets through a combination of strategic business development and hands-on execution.
It also provides strategic oversight of marketing, cultural events and the NSW delivery of the AFFFF, ensuring alignment between audience engagement, programming and revenue objectives.
Strategic Planning
- Contribute to organisational strategic planning and long-term growth initiatives across AFS and AFFFF
- Identify new revenue streams, partnership opportunities and audience growth strategies
Budget & Financial Accountability
- Develop and manage annual budgets for sponsorship, partnerships, marketing and cultural activities
- Monitor revenue performance against sponsorship, partnership and audience development targets
- Provide regular reporting, forecasting and strategic recommendations to the GM, Board and relevant committees
AFFFF National Sponsorship & Partnerships
- Lead national sponsorship activities and commercial partnership development for the AFFFF
- Maintain and grow relationships with existing sponsors and strategic partners
- Identify and secure new major corporate partnerships, particularly within premium and luxury sectors
- Negotiate partnership agreements and deliver high value sponsor engagement strategies
- Achieve annual sponsorship targets
AFS Leadership & Team Management
- Lead, mentor and coordinate a team of three staff across marketing, cultural events and the NSW delivery of AFFFF operations, including setting objectives, performance measures and professional development plans
- Foster a collaborative and high-performing team culture
- Contribute to executive decision-making and organisational strategy
- Work closely with the AFS GM, AFFFF CEO and external stakeholders
- Support Board engagement with key sponsors and strategic partners
AFS Partnerships, Grants & Revenue Development
- Develop and implement AFS's partnerships and revenue growth strategy
- Identify opportunities across government funding programs, grants and corporate partnerships
- Prepare compelling grant submissions and partnership proposals
- Build and maintain relationships with funding bodies, corporate partners and key stakeholders
- Achieve annual partnerships, grants and revenue targets
AFS Marketing & Cultural Strategy
- Oversee integrated marketing and communication strategies for AFS
- Lead audience development and brand positioning initiatives
- Develop and oversee the annual cultural events strategy for AFS
- Support the delivery of cultural programming, partnerships and public events
- Ensure alignment between cultural programming, audience engagement and partnership objectives
You are an experienced senior manager with a proven track record in sponsorship, partnerships and strategic relationship development.
You bring:
- Minimum 5 years' senior experience in sponsorship, business development, partnerships or revenue generation
- Demonstrated success securing and managing high-value corporate partnerships
- Strong business development and negotiation capabilities
- Experience in grant writing and funding applications
- Leadership experience managing teams and cross-functional projects
- Excellent stakeholder management and presentation skills
- A strong professional network, ideally across luxury brands, arts, culture, media or premium sectors
- Strategic thinking combined with hands-on delivery capability
Experience within the arts, cultural, not for profit or agency sectors will be highly regarded.
French language skills are desirable but not required.
This is a rare opportunity to play a strategic leadership role within a nationally recognised cultural institution and one of Australia's leading film festivals.
The role offers:
- Executive leadership exposure
- High-profile national corporate partnerships
- Significant strategic autonomy
- Hybrid working arrangements
- Immediate start
- A dynamic and culturally engaged working environment
Salary will be commensurate with experience.
To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the role.
Experience:
- Business development: 5 years (Required)
- Lead generation: 5 years (Required)
Work Authorisation:
Work Location: In person
