Job Title: City Partnerships Manager

Location: Hybrid. In London office at least 3 days per week plus when meetings required. Flexibility for remote work and some international travel.

Reports to: Deputy Director

Employment Type:Permanent, 5 day week ( 37.5 hours per week)

Salary: £42,000

Start date: ASAP

Role Overview:

In this role you will be responsible for developing relationships with cities in our network, and cultivating new relationships with target cities. You will also contribute to WCCF’s overall strategy and future growth as an integral team member.

About World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF):

World Cities Culture Forum is the leading global network of civic leaders from over 40 creative cities across six continents, collectively representing a population of over 245 million. World Cities Culture Forum champions the role of culture as a driver of equitable, sustainable, and prosperous cities.

Our network shares ideas and solutions to tackle 21st-century challenges, such as climate change, cultural tourism, affordable workspace, and diversity in public spaces, by placing culture at the heart of city planning and investment.

Through our Global Summit, leadership programmes, and research, we empower city leaders to build thriving communities and economies where culture flourishes.

Role Overview

Diversity Statement:

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups. If you are excited about this role but don’t meet every qualification, we still welcome your application. We value the unique perspectives and experiences that each individual brings, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

Key Responsibilities

City Relationships:

• Develop and maintain relationships with key staff in partner cities, ensuring that they receive maximum benefit from being part of the WCCF network.

• Lead the process for annual city renewals, including the delivery of the annual prospectus.

• Working closely with the Deputy Director, lead on recruitment of new City Partners, developing tailored engagement plans for city recruitment.

• Working closely with Finance C Operations Manager, prepare contracts and issue invoices and ensure prompt payment of city fees.

• Support the Deputy Director to manage and deliver the City Advisory Committee, the city partner governance group providing advice to the Board of Trustees.

• Working closely with the Programme C Research Manager, lead the bidding process for hosting of future World Cities Culture Summits, ensuring a clear and transparent process.

Regional Relationships:

· Working closely with the Deputy Director, lead the development of WCCF regional leadership within the WCCF network

· Working closely with the project officer, lead the development of city partners’ regional events ensuring WCCF high standards and values are adhered to including contractual areas like WCCF branding.

· Develop regional programmes working with city partners and key stakeholders contributing to fundraising.

Global Advocacy campaigns:

• Lead city partners engagement for global advocacy campaigns including Goal for Culture, ensuring regular updates and advocacy opportunities.

• Keep abreast of global campaigns that promote culture as a driver of sustainable urban life.

WCCF Alumni and WCCF Associates:

• Develop and lead a WCCF Alumni engagement programme for city leaders who have been part of WCCF over the past years.

• Develop and lead the onboarding of WCCF Associates and working closely with the Programme and Research Manager identify areas where they can contribute.

• Explore and develop a ‘speakers bureau’ with WCCF city leaders, Alumni and Associates.

Programme Engagement:

• Encourage city participation in the annual Summit, Leadership Exchange Programme, World Cities Culture Report and other programmatic activity through regular contact with cities.

• Gather insights on key city priorities to inform WCCF’s future programming.

• Identify, promote and facilitate opportunities for collaboration between cities.

General responsibilities and duties:

· Undertake the duties of the job description in accordance with the operational policies of WCCF, including but not limited to the diversity policy and code of conduct.

· Maintain good working relations with the Board, staff, city advisory committee members, city partners and other stakeholders.

· Present the organisation in an appropriate and professional manner to its stakeholders.

· Contribute to the development and growth of the organisation through working in accordance with its wider objectives, corporate philosophy and values.

· Assist at WCCF events outside of normal working hours as necessary.

· Perform other reasonable duties as required to support organisational goals.

Person Specification Essential Experience:

· Proven ability to build and maintain relationships, with experience navigating complex stakeholder networks.

· Confidence in engaging with high level stakeholders (such as city mayors and senior officials);

· Strong interpersonal and relationship management skills, with the ability to work effectively with people from diverse disciplines, cultures, and backgrounds.

· Knowledge and understanding city governments structures;

· Experience working with, or knowledge of, international organisations;

· Proficiency in using databases or CRMs to track agreements and organisational information.

· Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and high-level stakeholder engagement.

· Organisational: Strong organisational skills, able to manage multiple tasks, creating clear plans and managing delivery challenges. Able to balance and prioritise multiple tasks, often to urgent and competing deadlines.

· Stakeholder focus: Understanding of cultural and regional nuances, with the ability to tailor communication and support based on stakeholder needs.

· Interpersonal: Exceptional interpersonal skills, able to act as a reliable and trusted point of contact for cities across diverse geographies.

· Research and analysis: Ability to understand policy challenges across cities, analyse patterns and create linkages where they exist.

· Problem Solving: Able to show initiative and adapt quickly to new challenges.

· IT Proficiency: Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 and experience using CRMs

Desirable Experience:

· Event delivery, particularly events designed to promote dialogue between delegates.

· Understanding of the international cultural landscape (non-profits, other network organisations and funders).

· Proficiency in a language other than English.

Please be advised that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. All applicants must possess the necessary right to work documentation in the UK.

Application Process:

Interested candidates should submit a CV and a maximum 400 word personal statement detailing their qualifications and experience via the application form link. We also encourage applicants to complete the Diversity Monitoring form which is not part of the application and is for diversity monitoring purposes only.