Business Development Manager

Job Decription

NEON is seeking to expand our team capacity to deliver transformational growth across our creative programming. The Business Development Manager will transition NEON from project-based delivery to sustainable, recurring programmes while scaling our impact within the creative industries and local community.

With our expansion into a new 5,600 sq ft facility in Vauxhall you will lead on the income generation annually by increased programming, events, room hires and membership to support 7-day-per-week programming and enhanced community reach.

You will work closely with both our external cross-sector funders, clients and internal delivery partners and teams to provide a service that exceeds expectations by monitoring progress and continually adapting and improving effectiveness to meet changing needs

The postholder will:

• Expand income generation through studio hires, memberships, events, and trading

• Securing sponsorships, multi-year funding, and philanthropic donations

• Develop contracts and partnerships with schools, local authorities, and corporate entities

• Strengthening impact reporting and financial reporting and management

• Supporting the Founder and Artistic Director to build a resilient business model across our sites in Vauxhall from 2026.

• Role Profile

• Essential Experience and Skills

• 8 years plus demonstrable experience of income generation and management, delivering on time and within budget

• Demonstrable experience of budget management - strong financial literacy, commercial awareness and analytical

• You are passionate about the arts and creative sectors, wanting to use your abilities to nurture the talents of others and increase diversity within these sectors

• You enjoy working in an entrepreneurial and creative , start-up environment - understanding that this may mean doing what is needed to get the outcome, even if not within one s own role

• You have resilience to change course and adapt priorities as needed by the business

• You are as comfortable working independently as you are as part of a team

• You enjoy working with a small team and contributing to the broader ambition of the whole organisation and being an ambassador for our work

• Ability to be self-servicing including proficient use of Microsoft IT and Google Suite packages

• Willing to be based in our studio in Vauxhall

• Substantial experience of relationship building and collaborative partnership with people from all sectors and backgrounds - especially at senior management/executive level e.g. stakeholders, funders and delivery partners

• Demonstrable track record of managing and monitoring performance to meet objectives and delivery of targets

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to articulate and present ideas clearly, coherently and persuasively in the written format as well as verbally

• Ability to think, act and communicate strategically and creatively

• Ability to be self-servicing including proficient use of Microsoft IT and Google Suite packages

• Knowledge and/or experience of the arts and creative industries, in a startup or with creative entrepreneurs is desirable though not essential. We would still like to hear from you if you have experience leading and delivering high-profile projects and are committed to making a difference.