Corporate Partnerships Manager

Company Description

Malta Business Journal is looking for a commercially driven Corporate Partnership Manager to take ownership of its commercial function, build lasting client relationships and turn opportunities into profitable, repeat business. Reporting to the Managing Director and working closely with the Editor, you will lead the full commercial cycle: generating leads, developing proposals, closing deals, managing delivery and securing renewals. Your remit will span our media offering, business events and the Malta Business Journal Awards. This is a hands-on startup role with scope to build and lead a team as the business grows. You must be ready to generate results from the outset while putting the structure, processes and standards in place for a scalable department.

Role Description

• Build and actively manage a pipeline through prospecting, networking, referrals, inbound enquiries and direct outreach to business leaders, marketing teams and agencies.
• Own each opportunity from first contact and discovery through proposal, negotiation, signed agreement and payment follow-up, working with finance where required.
• Deliver agreed revenue, gross profit and cash collection targets, maintaining accurate CRM records, realistic forecasts and disciplined follow-up.
• Understand each client's objectives and combine suitable advertising, sponsorship, branded content, newsletter, social media, print, event and awards opportunities as available.
• Create bespoke proposals using repeatable formats wherever possible, balancing client value with strong margins and efficient delivery. Cost in supplier spend, production time and internal effort before committing.
• Define deliverables, timings, responsibilities, payment terms and exclusions clearly. Control discounts, scope changes and custom requests within agreed approval limits.
• Act as the main commercial contact throughout each relationship, managing expectations, resolving issues and identifying renewal, cross-selling and account growth opportunities.
• Work with the Editor to agree feasible content briefs, publication schedules and production requirements before making commitments. Gather client assets and approvals and keep delivery on track.
• Provide clear performance reporting and protect the publication's standards, editorial independence and appropriate identification of sponsored content.
• Own the commercial planning and coordination of MBJ events and the Malta Business Journal Awards, including sponsorship packages, partner acquisition and relevant ticket or table sales.
• Manage event budgets, timelines, venues, suppliers, invitations, guest communications, sponsor benefits and on-the-day coordination, working with colleagues and external providers as needed.
• Oversee the awards administration timetable and coordinate entry, judging and ceremony requirements with the relevant stakeholders, keeping sponsorship separate from judging decisions.
• Track event profitability, fulfil partner commitments and complete post-event reporting, feedback and renewal follow-up.
• Establish practical policies, procedures and templates covering prospecting, proposals, pricing, approvals, bookings, client onboarding, delivery, reporting, invoicing and renewals.
• Build and maintain the media kit, rate cards, package catalogue, sponsorship inventory, CRM workflows and commercial calendar.
• Introduce simple controls that protect margins and service quality without unnecessary administration. Identify work to standardise, automate or outsource.
• Recommend future hiring priorities, document responsibilities and help recruit, onboard and manage the commercial team as growth supports it.

What we’re looking for:

• A proven record of originating and closing B2B sales and growing client accounts, ideally in media, publishing, advertising, sponsorship, events or a related sector.
• Confidence dealing with senior decision-makers, strong negotiation skills and the ability to turn a client brief into a persuasive, commercially sound proposal.
• Practical understanding of pricing, gross margins, budgets and cash collection, alongside experience coordinating campaigns, events or multiple client deliverables.
• Experience establishing processes or improving a commercial function, with the organisation and independence to manage competing priorities.
• A proactive, resourceful approach and willingness to handle the practical work needed to win and deliver business in a small team.
• Excellent written and spoken English as well as Maltese. Knowledge of Malta's business community and an established local network would be strong advantages.

How success will be measured

Success means profitable new business, retained and growing accounts, timely payments, reliable delivery and commercially successful events and awards. You will also be expected to establish a clear pipeline, usable commercial tools and a repeatable operating process during your first three months.

The opportunity

You will have meaningful ownership of a developing business function, direct involvement in shaping MBJ's commercial offering and the opportunity to grow into broader leadership as the business and team expand.