In-Kind Partnership Development Contractor

TED Conferences, LLC•San Diego, CA

7d•$45,000 - $65,000

About The Position

TED events are built on more than production. They are made possible by a carefully cultivated ecosystem of partners, vendors, and collaborators who elevate every element of the experience. We are seeking an In-Kind Partnership Development Contractor to help build and expand that ecosystem. This is a fractional, high-impact engagement designed for someone who brings an existing network, strong commercial instincts, and the ability to identify and structure partnership opportunities that unlock value. The role sits at the intersection of market insight and deal-making. It is not about managing timelines or executing logistics. It is about identifying opportunities, building relationships, and structuring partnerships that contribute meaningful value across TED’s global event portfolio. The work includes securing in-kind contributions and developing strategic vendor relationships across core categories such as furniture and rentals, AV and production, and experiential activations. At the same time, this role is expected to look beyond traditional categories, identifying non-obvious partnership opportunities across the broader event ecosystem that can reduce costs, increase efficiency, and elevate the attendee experience. This role carries ownership from initial opportunity through to structured agreement and realized value, ensuring partnerships translate into meaningful outcomes for the event environment, while remaining focused on value creation rather than on-site execution. As TED expands into new markets, including San Diego, this role will help establish a strong, values-aligned partner network in advance of production. This role offers the opportunity to shape partnership strategy within one of the world’s most recognized and trusted event platforms, with direct impact on globally visible experiences.

Requirements

3 to 5 years of experience in partnership development, vendor relations, sponsorship, or experiential event production
An established network of vendors and partners, particularly within California and the broader West Coast market
Demonstrated experience structuring and negotiating in-kind partnerships, including contribution valuation and budget alignment
Strong commercial judgment and the ability to develop compelling, mutually beneficial partnership opportunities
Highly self directed, with the ability to manage priorities independently and deliver outcomes without close oversight
Understanding of how upstream vendor and partner decisions impact event design and execution
Ability to manage multiple workstreams and competing priorities
Comfortable engaging across teams to align partnership opportunities with broader event goals
Proficiency with Google Workspace and Airtable or similar tools

Responsibilities

Market Insight and Opportunity Mapping
Build and maintain a curated view of the vendor and partner landscape across key event categories, prioritizing quality, creativity, and alignment with TED’s aesthetic and values
Conduct targeted market scans in priority cities, including San Diego, identifying opportunities for cost efficiency, innovation, and local partnership development
Surface insights in clear, actionable formats such as vendor shortlists, pricing benchmarks, and market briefs that inform planning decisions
Stay current on trends across event production, experiential design, sustainability, and vendor economics, bringing forward relevant opportunities proactively
Approach the vendor ecosystem holistically, identifying both expected and non-traditional partners who can contribute value
Partnership Strategy and Deal Development
Identify, pursue, and structure in-kind partnerships that deliver measurable value across TED’s event portfolio
Define and apply practical methodologies for valuing in-kind contributions, ensuring clarity and alignment with event budgets and reporting
Contribute to and evolve partnership approaches, including outreach, valuation, and renewal strategies that can scale across events and markets
Identify opportunities to establish preferred partner relationships or multi-event agreements that create continuity and long-term value
Build relationships with a wide range of partners, including creative studios, agencies, fabricators, technology platforms, logistics providers, hospitality groups, and brand partners
Shape partnership concepts that align with event design, spatial planning, and attendee experience goals
Apply strong judgment to ensure all partnerships align with TED’s brand, audience expectations, and overall experience
Vendor Network and Value Creation
Negotiate agreements that secure in-kind contributions, preferred pricing, or added value
Build and maintain a high-quality network that gives TED early access to innovative and best-in-class partners
Ensure continuity from partnership concept through to realized value, maintaining visibility into how agreements translate into usable outcomes within the event environment
Provide partnership context and documentation needed for successful implementation, while remaining focused on value creation rather than on site execution
Maintain clear visibility into active opportunities, partnership status, and anticipated value through shared tracking tools
Evaluate vendor proposals against event needs and standards, identifying risks and opportunities early
Contribute to post-event insights, including partnership performance and renewal opportunities