Luxury Partnerships Director (Sales), SPHERE Magazine - #2160001

We are looking for a commercially minded, ambitious and well-connected Sales and Partnerships Director to lead luxury sales and partnerships for SPHERE magazine (print and online), combining senior media sales experience with the drive to make an immediate commercial impact.

SPHERE magazine is looking for a driven and commercially astute Sales and Partnerships Director to join its core team. This is a standout opportunity for someone with proven advertising sales experience in premium magazines or luxury lifestyle media, who can hit the ground running, work independently and bring fresh commercial energy and leadership to an established title with a HNW and UHNW audience.

The right person will already have experience selling across print, digital and brand partnerships, along with a strong contact book across luxury lifestyle sectors such as watches and jewellery, food and drink, travel, property, fashion, interiors, automotive, beauty, technology, culture and related premium categories. They will be ambitious, self-starting and hungry to grow revenue, while also confident providing direction to an Account Manager and working closely with them to secure leads, convert opportunities and shape the commercial evolution of the magazine.

SPHERE enters its 20th year in 2027. We are an established magazine of 20 years with a start-up mindset, looking for someone who can bring fresh ideas, commercial pace and new opportunities. As we adapt to a shifting print landscape while actively growing online, we need someone who understands both worlds and can help turn that transition into revenue. SPHERE is owned by parent company Illustrated London News, a strategic content and marketing partner for luxury brands.

The Role

This role is hands-on and ideal for a confident sales leader who enjoys getting out into the market, booking meetings, attending events and building long-term relationships with premium brands. You will be responsible for leading commercial revenue generation across SPHERE’s print magazine, digital channels and wider brand ecosystem, while guiding the Account Manager on the team and working together to identify, develop and secure high-quality leads.

Reporting into the leadership team, the Sales Director will set the pace for commercial growth, bring structure and momentum to the sales pipeline, and help define how SPHERE approaches advertising, partnerships and new revenue opportunities across print and digital.

While the primary focus is SPHERE, it is likely the role will involve other ILN titles, such as Lord Mayor’s Show programme, ad hoc royalty print editions and other projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead advertising and partnership revenues across print, digital, events and integrated commercial opportunities.
• Use your existing network and prospecting skills to develop leads across luxury lifestyle sectors.
• Book and attend senior-level meetings with brands, media agencies, partners and potential advertisers.
• Build strong relationships with clients and create tailored commercial solutions that reflect their objectives.
• Work independently to manage the commercial pipeline, prioritise opportunities and deliver against revenue targets.
• Guide and support the Account Manager, providing clear direction while working collaboratively to secure leads and convert opportunities.
• Collaborate with the editorial team to develop commercially relevant feature ideas and special projects.
• Contribute ideas for growing SPHERE’s commercial revenues more widely, including new formats, partnerships and digital opportunities.
• Represent SPHERE at events and within the luxury lifestyle market with confidence and professionalism.
• Willing and able to get involved in other sales and revenue-driving activity, relevant to Illustrated London News.
• Attend planning and production meetings, complete paperwork and chase creative artwork where necessary.
• The successful candidate will be expected to bring an active pipeline, open doors quickly and demonstrate early revenue momentum through their existing relationships, new business development and ability to convert conversations into commercial partnerships.

About You

• You have proven media sales experience, ideally within luxury lifestyle including watches and jewellery, interiors, property, travel, tech, fashion, food and drink, beauty, the arts in similar premium magazine environments.
• You can demonstrate a strong track record of bringing in revenue and converting leads into meaningful commercial relationships.
• You are commercially minded, proactive and motivated by growth, with the confidence to take ownership of sales strategy and delivery.
• You are ambitious and hungry, but experienced enough to work independently, provide guidance to others and deliver from day one.
• You bring an existing contact book and the confidence to develop new relationships quickly.
• You enjoy being out in the market, attending events, meeting clients and spotting opportunities.
• You understand the value of magazines, premium audiences and high-quality editorial environments.
• You are comfortable working in a small, growing team with a startup mentality, backed by the heritage, credibility and network of an established magazine.

Why SPHERE?

SPHERE is an independent magazine with a distinctive voice, strong heritage and access to an influential HNW and UHNW readership, particularly through its London distribution and growing online presence. This is a chance to become a core member of a close-knit team, help shape the commercial direction of the title and play a meaningful role in its next stage of growth.

Practical Details

• Location: London office (Soho Works)
• Start: Beginning of January 2027, with potential to begin on a commission-only basis beforehand

How to Apply

If you are a commercially minded media sales leader with luxury magazine experience, a strong network and a proven ability to generate revenue while guiding a small team, we would love to hear from you.