📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Growth & Partnerships Manager
🔹 Company: Sundae Creative
🔹 Location: Toronto, Ontario (Hybrid)
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Public Relations and Communications Services
🔹 Date Posted: May 1, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-8 years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Toronto, Ontario)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Driving business growth through proactive outbound sales efforts
- Identifying, pursuing, and closing new business opportunities
- Collaborating with internal teams to create strategic proposals and pitch materials
- Cultivating strong relationships with prospective and existing clients
- Conducting market research and competitive analysis to identify emerging trends and service opportunities
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a self-motivated, entrepreneurial professional with a strong sales background and a strategic mindset to drive growth and expand Sundae Creative's national presence.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead proactive outbound sales efforts to grow Sundae Creative’s national presence by identifying, pursuing, and closing new business opportunities.
✅ Own the full business development cycle: lead generation, outreach, pitch, negotiation, and close.
✅ Build and manage a high-performing pipeline, consistently tracking and reporting against monthly and quarterly KPIs.
✅ Collaborate with internal teams to create strategic proposals and pitch materials for inbound leads and RFPs.
✅ Cultivate strong relationships with prospective and existing clients through consistent outreach, networking, and in-person engagements.
✅ Be a strategic voice in new business conversations, helping shape our positioning, offering, and proposals.
✅ Conduct ongoing market research and competitive analysis to identify emerging trends and service opportunities.
✅ Stay ahead of the curve by recommending tools, offerings, and revenue streams that align with Sundae’s growth vision.
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires strong organizational skills, as well as the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or a related field
Experience: 5-8 years of experience in business development, client partnerships, or senior account roles within PR, media, or creative agencies
Required Skills:
- Proven track record of generating and converting outbound leads, securing large retainer clients, and consistently hitting revenue targets
- Strong understanding of how media relations, influencer marketing, social media, and events work together to drive brand visibility and growth
- Previous experience working with lifestyle, CPG, wellness, food & beverage, or fashion brands
- Skilled in building compelling proposals and leading strategic pitches in collaboration with internal stakeholders
- Charismatic, confident communicator with a natural ability to build trust and long-term relationships
- Analytical mindset comfortable using performance data and industry insights to shape strategic decisions
- Resourceful, autonomous, and energized by building processes and pipelines from the ground up
- Comfortable navigating ambiguity in a fast-paced, high-growth environment
- Bilingual (French & English) is a strong asset
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Familiarity with marketing automation tools (e.g., Marketo, Pardot)
- Knowledge of the Canadian PR and communications landscape
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in a similar role within the PR or communications industry will have a strong advantage in this position.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $80,000 - $120,000 CAD per year (based on experience and industry standards for the Toronto area)
Benefits:
- Unlimited vacation time
- Fully remote work environment
- Base salary + commission structure
- Freestyle Fridays (work ends at 2:00 PM every Friday)
- Comprehensive insurance coverage for medical, dental, and vision after one month
- Internal advancement opportunities
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week) with flexible hours and a hybrid work arrangement in Toronto, Ontario
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location. Actual compensation may vary based on the candidate's qualifications and the company's internal compensation structure.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Sundae Creative is a public relations and communications agency specializing in blending traditional and digital strategies for communications and media relations. They focus on lifestyle, CPG, wellness, food & beverage, and fashion brands.
Company Size: Sundae Creative is a small agency with 2-10 employees, offering a dynamic environment with the additional support of Dulcedo Management, a larger agency with over 15 years in the industry.
Founded: Sundae Creative was founded in 2017 and merged with Dulcedo Management in 2021, expanding its services and client base.
Company Description:
- Sundae Creative is a forward-thinking PR agency that combines traditional and digital strategies to maximize brand awareness for its clients
- The agency specializes in turn-key solutions, engaging influencer campaigns, and launches that ignite interest on relevant platforms
- Sundae Creative is an advocate for its esteemed roster of North American lifestyle clients, providing tailored approaches that fuel the imagination
Company Specialties:
- Media relations
- Influencer marketing
- Social media management
- Event planning and execution
- Brand strategy and positioning
Company Website: Sundae Creative
ASSUMPTION: Sundae Creative's unique blend of traditional and digital PR strategies sets it apart from other agencies in the industry, offering clients a modern perspective on brand communications.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is a senior-level position within the agency, reporting directly to the founders and working closely with internal teams to drive business growth and expansion.
Reporting Structure: The Growth & Partnerships Manager will report directly to the founders of Sundae Creative, Karine Idrissi and Kristina Argento.
Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, with a flexible work arrangement that allows for remote work and in-person engagements in Toronto, Ontario.
Growth Opportunities:
- As Sundae Creative continues to grow, there will be opportunities for the Growth & Partnerships Manager to take on additional responsibilities and advance within the agency
- The role offers the chance to shape the future performance and direction of the agency, making it an ideal fit for an entrepreneurial professional looking to make a significant impact
- The agency's partnership with Dulcedo Management provides access to additional resources and support, further enhancing growth opportunities
ASSUMPTION: The Growth & Partnerships Manager role is well-suited for a driven, strategic individual looking to make a significant impact in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Sundae Creative's headquarters is located in Montreal, Quebec, with a hybrid work arrangement for the Growth & Partnerships Manager role in Toronto, Ontario.
Office Location(s): 438 Rue McGill, 200, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 2G1, CA
Geographic Context:
- Toronto, Ontario is a multicultural, vibrant city with a thriving business ecosystem, making it an ideal location for expanding Sundae Creative's national presence
- The city is home to a diverse range of industries, including finance, technology, and lifestyle brands, providing ample opportunities for business growth and partnerships
- Toronto's central location in Eastern Canada makes it an ideal hub for national and international business development efforts
Work Schedule: The Growth & Partnerships Manager role follows a hybrid work arrangement, with flexible hours and the option to work remotely. In-person engagements may be required for client meetings, networking events, and other business development activities.
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers the best of both worlds, allowing the Growth & Partnerships Manager to balance remote work with in-person engagements to build and maintain strong client relationships.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Initial phone or video screen with the hiring manager, Milena
- In-depth interview with the founders, Karine Idrissi and Kristina Argento
- Final interview with the Sundae Creative team
- Background check and reference check
- Job offer and onboarding
Key Assessment Areas:
- Sales and business development skills
- Strategic thinking and planning
- Communication and presentation skills
- Relationship-building and networking abilities
- Industry knowledge and market trends
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of Sundae Creative's unique approach to PR and communications, and how your background aligns with the agency's mission and values
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your sales and business development experience, as well as your ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth environment
- Research the PR and communications industry, as well as Sundae Creative's client roster, to show your enthusiasm and commitment to the role
ATS Keywords: Business development, sales, outbound leads, client partnerships, strategic planning, market research, competitive analysis, bilingual, French, English
ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's sales and business development skills, as well as their strategic thinking and ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Marketing automation tools (e.g., Marketo, Pardot)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)
- Presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides)
ASSUMPTION: The Growth & Partnerships Manager will be expected to leverage relevant tools and technologies to streamline business development processes and improve overall efficiency.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Caring and passionate individuals driven by a desire to be agents of change
- Focus on employee development, growth, and well-being
- Collaborative and supportive work environment
- Entrepreneurial spirit and innovation
- Commitment to work-life balance and flexibility
Work Style:
- Autonomous and self-motivated
- Strategic and analytical mindset
- Strong communication and presentation skills
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth environment
- Adaptable and resourceful
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Sundae Creative's value of being caring and passionate individuals driven by a desire to be agents of change?
- How do you approach work-life balance and flexibility in your current role, and how would you maintain this balance in a fast-paced, high-growth environment?
- Describe a time when you had to adapt to a significant change or challenge in your work environment. How did you approach this situation, and what was the outcome?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who demonstrate a strong cultural fit with Sundae Creative's values and work style will be more likely to succeed in this role and contribute to the agency's continued growth and success.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role requires a high degree of autonomy and self-motivation, which may be challenging for individuals who prefer a more structured work environment
- The fast-paced, high-growth nature of the role may present challenges for candidates who prefer a more stable and predictable work environment
- The hybrid work arrangement may require candidates to travel to Toronto, Ontario for in-person engagements, which may be inconvenient for some applicants
- The role may involve working with tight deadlines and competing priorities, which may be challenging for candidates who struggle with time management or prioritization
ASSUMPTION: The Growth & Partnerships Manager role is well-suited for a driven, entrepreneurial individual who thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment and is comfortable with a high degree of autonomy and self-motivation.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other business development roles in the PR and communications industry, the Growth & Partnerships Manager role at Sundae Creative offers a unique blend of traditional and digital strategies, providing clients with a modern perspective on brand communications
- The role offers a high degree of autonomy and the opportunity to shape the future performance and direction of the agency, making it an ideal fit for an entrepreneurial professional looking to make a significant impact
- The agency's partnership with Dulcedo Management provides access to additional resources and support, further enhancing growth opportunities compared to other agencies in the industry
ASSUMPTION: The Growth & Partnerships Manager role at Sundae Creative is distinct from other business development roles in the PR and communications industry, offering a unique blend of traditional and digital strategies and a high degree of autonomy and growth potential.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a strategic business development plan to expand Sundae Creative's national presence
- Identifying and pursuing new business opportunities through proactive outbound sales efforts
- Collaborating with internal teams to create strategic proposals and pitch materials for inbound leads and RFPs
- Conducting market research and competitive analysis to identify emerging trends and service opportunities
- Building and managing a high-performing pipeline, consistently tracking and reporting against monthly and quarterly KPIs
ASSUMPTION: The Growth & Partnerships Manager role at Sundae Creative offers a wide range of projects and initiatives, providing ample opportunities for the successful candidate to make a significant impact on the agency's growth and success.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Sundae Creative support the growth and development of its employees?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the agency, and how can this role help address them?
- How does Sundae Creative measure the success of its business development efforts, and what metrics will be used to track progress in this role?
- What opportunities are there for growth and advancement within the agency, and how has Sundae Creative supported the career development of its employees in the past?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates the candidate's interest in the role and their commitment to driving the agency's growth and success.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role, emphasizing your sales and business development background, as well as your strategic thinking and analytical mindset
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your sales and business development experience, as well as your ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth environment
- Research the PR and communications industry, as well as Sundae Creative's client roster, to show your enthusiasm and commitment to the role
- Follow up with the hiring manager, Milena, one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
