Business Development Associate at ART X

ART X is a pioneering cultural organisation that creates platforms and experiences to celebrate and amplify Africa's culture. Founded in 2012 by Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, our flagship platforms include: ART X Lagos — the leading international art fair in West Africa; ART X Live! — a unique fusion of live music and art; and the Access ART X Prize — an annual award championing emerging artists across Africa and its Diaspora.

We aim to harness the power of culture to unlock the potential of Nigeria and Africa, and we collaborate closely with exceptional creatives and cultural entrepreneurs who share our passion for cultivating energised, dynamic identities for Africa and its people.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Business Development Associate

Location: Lagos
Employment type: Full time (Hybrid)

About the Role

• ART X is seeking a Business Development Associate with strong administrative skills and a passion for relationship management.
• This role plays a vital part in supporting the Marketing & Partnerships Lead by ensuring the smooth execution of business development initiatives that support ART X’s mission and growth, including: financial sponsors, lifestyle partners, corporate sales and more.
• You will be responsible for managing day-to-day administrative tasks related to business development, including preparing proposals and reports, scheduling and coordinating meetings, maintaining databases, and tracking outreach efforts.
• You’ll also serve as a key liaison between ART X and its stakeholders, helping to build, maintain, and strengthen relationships with sponsors, clients, and collaborators.
• This position requires exceptional attention to detail, excellent organizational and communication skills, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities under tight deadlines.
• It’s an exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in a structured, collaborative environment and is eager to contribute to the long-term success of ART X through effective relationship support and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate and cultivate potential sponsorships and strategic partnerships that align with ART X’s mission and objectives
• Develop comprehensive and tailored presentations that strategically address the unique requirements of both the potential/existing partner and ART X, clearly articulating the mutual benefits and value proposition of the partnership
• Support the management and nurturing of existing partnerships, ensuring effective communication and long-term collaboration by developing databases, contact lists, and project trackers
• Act as a point of contact for external partners and sponsors, ensuring effective communication and fostering strong, long-term relationships
• Assist in organizing partner-related events, activations, and meetings to ensure a seamless experience for all parties
• Liaise with internal teams - including Communications and Design, Events, Guest Relations, Operations, etc - to ensure cohesive execution of partner initiatives and campaigns
• Develop, maintain, and update operational processes, guidelines and Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) for Partnership Management
• Document lessons learned and best practices to continuously improve operational efficiency and campaign effectiveness
• Monitor partner and sponsor campaign performance metrics and compile regular reports, providing insights and recommendations to optimise
• Other tasks as assigned by the Marketing & Partnerships Lead.

Requirements

• The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, highly organized, and proactive, with strong communication skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.

Other key requirements include:

• A minimum of 5 years experience in marketing operations, sponsorship, partnerships, or a related field, preferably within the art, culture, or creative sectors; experience with international brands, as well as with audiences in Nigeria/Africa is preferred
• A strong cultural alignment with ART X’s values of excellence, ownership, kindness, integrity - consistently going the extra mile as a catalyst for change
• Demonstrated ability to support operational processes and manage partnerships or sponsorships
• Strong project management skills, with experience coordinating cross-functional teams and vendor relationships
• Ability to thrive under pressure, adapt to changing priorities, and deliver high-quality work on time
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with both internal and external stakeholders
• A collaborative mindset and a passion for the arts, with a commitment to ART X’s mission
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office / Google Docs.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candiates should send their Resume and Cover Letter, as well as a written statement sharing your motivation and career aspirations, to: careers@artxlagos.com using “Business Development Associate” as the subject of the email.

Note: Only qualified candidates will be contacted.