Development Officer - Corporate Partnerships - UK International Audio Drama Festival

The International Audio Drama Festival in the precincts of Canterbury Cathedral. Now in year 12. We need a fearless matchmaker to perform introductions & develop new funding relationships with corporate partners for 2026.

"There is no other festival like this in the world." Marta Rezda; Polish Radio

"...being at the festival is like travelling elsewhere without having to undergo the hassle of airport security" Kate Chisholm The Spectator

Every year delegates from around the world listen to 50 radio dramas in up to 30 languages.

We are looking for someone to:

• Research and target likely corporate partners / sponsors.
• Make contact with own networks where appropriate
• Call heads of marketing and hospitality
• Arrange and join us for in person meetings
• Discuss agree and draw up an appropriate package of benefits
• Oversee the partnership and make sure both partners have a wonderful time
• Develop new ideas and initiatives.

We are looking for someone with experience in the corporate sponsorship, fundraising field or experience being a corporate partner. Own networks and contacts would of course be a bonus and the event is based in Canterbury so knowledge of city and its economics is also a plus. All this and an experience of how marketing and hospitality are put together and a strong knowledge of the role of social media is helpful but none absolutely necessary.

What will be vital will be selfbelief, belief in the organisation, an understanding that a Festival has bags to offer industry, a fearlessness in picking up the telephone, endless patience and a refusal to be fobbed off, a job in seeing an arts organisation earning as it deserves. The ideal applicant is naturally extrovert, enjoys meetings and making sure that the corporate has an excellent time.

The UK International Radio Drama Festival is unique event playing to international delegates local audiences and streaming to thousands throughout the world. This role has the opportunity to offer it prosperity and long term stability - it will also offer the Festival the change to develop its potential in reaching new audiences and participants (the young, the inaccessible, offenders ESL etc,) in exciting new ways.

The volunteer will know that they have made a huge difference to the stability but also the development of this festival. In addition the festival works with ongoing team throughout the year gradually culminating the joy of the festival itself. The officer will play a central role in that team and the pleasure that goes with that.

There is no additional application form for this role - a chat - ideally in person will be the next step.