The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Sponsorship Manager (L2) Internal Promotion
2-3 years as an L2Skills to master
- Consistently exceeding revenue targets for mid-tier accounts, demonstrating strong client retention, and successfully managing the full lifecycle of a portfolio of deals. You'll also need to show initiative in taking on more complex challenges.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully managed a portfolio of 10-15 mid-tier sponsors with high renewal rates.
- Demonstrated ability to independently resolve client issues and manage expectations.
- Proactively sought out opportunities to mentor junior team members or lead small internal projects.
- Consistently delivered accurate and insightful post-event fulfillment reports.
- 2
Senior Account Manager (from related industry)
5-7 years in a similar client-facing roleSkills to master
- Transferring your high-value client management and negotiation skills to the unique context of events and sponsorship. You'll need to quickly learn our specific products, processes, and industry terminology.
You're ready to move on when
- Managed a portfolio of clients with annual contract values exceeding £250K.
- Proven track record of complex contract negotiation and renewal.
- Experience working with cross-functional internal teams (e.g., marketing, legal, operations) to deliver client solutions.
- Strong understanding of B2B marketing objectives and how to align solutions to them.
- 3
Business Development Manager (from events/media)
5-6 years in a BDM roleSkills to master
- Shifting from pure new business acquisition to a blend of new business and deep account management/retention. You'll also need to develop expertise in activation delivery and ROI reporting, which might be less prominent in pure sales roles.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently hit new business targets in a related industry (e.g., media sales, exhibition sales).
- Demonstrated ability to build rapport quickly with senior clients.
- Strong understanding of the sales pipeline and forecasting.
- Eagerness to learn the intricacies of event activation and fulfillment.