How to Become a Brand Partnerships Manager in the UK
Brand partnerships managers sell and run sponsorship deals. Depending on where you work, you might sell creator campaigns to brands at a talent agency, package sponsorships for a festival or sports team, or sell branded content for a publisher or podcast network. The job covers prospecting, pitching, negotiating fees and usage rights, then making sure the campaign is delivered and reported on.
No degree is required. Most people come in through sales, account management, influencer marketing or agency roles, and get hired on the deals they can show they have closed.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £30,000 - £42,000
- Mid-career salary
- £48,000 - £75,000
- Senior salary
- £85,000 - £140,000
- Work environment
- Office, studio or remote
- Time to entry
- 1 - 3 years
- Degree required
- Not required - portfolio matters most
- Category
- Marketing and Media
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: High-paying careers, No-degree careers, Creative careers, Career change.
What a Brand Partnerships Manager does
Land and run brand sponsorship deals - for creators, media or events.
How to become a brand partnerships manager in the UK
Start in a role close to commercial deals, such as sales executive, partnerships executive, account executive at an influencer or media agency, or sponsorship coordinator at an events or sports organisation. Learn to build a pitch deck, price a package, negotiate contracts and report results. You also need to know UK advertising rules: the ASA and the CAP Code require paid partnerships to be clearly labelled as ads. A Level 4 Sales Executive apprenticeship is one structured route if you are starting out.
- Pick a side of the market, such as creators and talent, publishers and podcasts, events and sport, or brand-side partnerships, as the employers differ.
- Get an entry job in sales, account management or partnerships at an agency, media owner or rights holder to learn how deals are priced and sold.
- Keep a record of every deal you work on, including brand, value, deliverables, results and your role, to use in interviews.
- Learn the ASA and CMA guidance on labelling ads and paid partnerships, because getting disclosure wrong damages both the brand and the partner.
- Practise writing pitch decks and media kits, and learn the contract terms that matter most: usage rights, exclusivity, deliverables and payment terms.
- Report campaign performance clearly, covering reach, engagement, clicks and sales, so brands come back and renew.
- Apply for partnerships executive or coordinator roles, then step up to manager once you can show a book of renewed deals.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales or account executive, then partnerships | 1-3 years | None - paid role | Most people |
| Influencer or talent agency assistant | 1-3 years | None - paid role | Creator and social media partnerships |
| Level 4 Sales Executive apprenticeship | About 12-18 months | Paid by the employer | School leavers and early-career sellers |
| Marketing or communications degree | 3 years | Tuition fee loan | Graduate schemes at media groups |
How long it takes
Expect 1 to 3 years in sales, account management or agency roles before you manage partnerships yourself. People with a strong sales record can move across faster, sometimes within a year.
Brand Partnerships Manager salary in the UK
Partnerships executives and junior managers typically start on around £30,000 to £42,000. Experienced brand partnerships managers usually earn £48,000 to £75,000, and heads of partnerships or commercial directors can reach £85,000 to £140,000. Many roles add commission or bonuses tied to revenue, so on-target earnings can be well above basic pay. London media groups, sports rights holders and large talent agencies pay at the top end, while smaller agencies and charities pay less.
Key skills
- Sales
- Account mgmt
- Pitching
- Negotiation
- Reporting
Brand Partnerships Manager FAQs
How do I become a brand partnerships manager?
Start in sales, account management or an influencer, media or sponsorship agency. Learn to pitch, price and negotiate deals and to report results, keep a record of deals you have closed, and step up from partnerships executive to manager once you can show renewals.
Do you need a degree for brand partnerships?
No. Employers care more about your commercial track record, network and negotiation skills. A marketing or business degree can help with graduate schemes, and a Level 4 Sales Executive apprenticeship is an alternative, but a record of closed deals counts most.
How much does a brand partnerships manager earn in the UK?
Starting pay is typically £30,000 to £42,000, experienced managers earn £48,000 to £75,000, and heads of partnerships can reach £85,000 to £140,000. Commission and bonuses on revenue are common, so total earnings often depend on how much you sell.
What is the difference between brand partnerships and influencer marketing?
Influencer marketing usually means running creator campaigns for a brand. Brand partnerships is broader: you might sell sponsorship of events, podcasts, sports teams or publishers, as well as creator deals. Both need pitching, negotiation and clear ad disclosure under ASA rules.
Is Brand Partnerships Manager right for you?
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