Global Business Development Director

DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specialists deliver growth invention services across Brand & Media, Experience, Commerce, CRM, and Technology & Data. We’re 50|50 tech and marketing, partner‑led, and first to move. Clients include Google, Lufthansa, Meta, eBay, and OpenAI. We have been certified B Corp and Climate Neutral since 2021.

As Global Business Development Director, you are accountable for accelerating DEPT®’s net‑new revenue growth by leading and scaling the Global New Business Center. This role sits at the intersection of sales, marketing, design, and delivery, owning the systems, processes, and narratives that drive higher‑quality pipeline, faster velocity, and improved pitch conversion globally.

What You’ll Do

• Global Growth & New Business Strategy: Design and execute a global new business strategy aligned to DEPT®’s ICPs, vertical priorities, and growth ambitions. Own pipeline quality and velocity in partnership with Sales leadership. Establish clear qualification standards and handoff models between Marketing, Sales, and the New Business Center. Translate win/loss insights into actionable improvements across GTM, messaging, and pitch strategy. Own and build DEPT sales accelerators such as our service maturity assessments.
• Strategic Pitch Consultant Engagement: Own DEPT®’s global pitch consultant GTM strategy, treating consultants as a strategic growth channel. Lead proactive outreach, relationship development, and thought‑leadership engagement. Deploy consultant‑specific ABM journeys in collaboration with Marketing Ops. Lead regular internal reviews on consultant‑sourced pipeline, performance, and ROI.
• Pitch & Proposal Conversion: Manage the end‑to‑end pitch lifecycle from opportunity intake to final decision. Lead high‑value global and regional pitches, ensuring clarity, differentiation, and commercial rigor. Codify “why we win” into reusable pitch narratives, frameworks, and playbooks. Continuously evolve DEPT®’s pitch approach to improve conversion and speed. Lead and scale the Deck Design team as a strategic growth capability. Ensure all pitch and client‑facing decks are visually impactful, persuasive, and commercially focused. Build modular, reusable deck systems to reduce turnaround time and cost‑to‑win. Mentor and develop team members, creating a high‑performing, growth‑oriented culture. Own DEPT®’s global pitch‑consultant event strategy, including AdForum Summits (EMEA & AMER) and Pitch Consultant Club initiatives. Define clear commercial objectives for each event (pipeline, relationships, positioning). Lead post‑event follow‑through to ensure opportunities are converted into qualified pipeline. Provide strategic guidance on other priority new business and marketing events. Partner closely with Marketing Ops to co‑own ABM strategy aligned to new business priorities. Ensure multi‑touch journeys support active and future pitches. Work with Sales Operations to maintain clean, accurate pipeline data in Salesforce. Ensure consistent reporting, forecasting, and visibility across regions. Lead the adoption of AI‑enabled pitch tooling to improve speed, relevance, and scale. Automate RFP inputs, credentials, and case matching where possible. Reduce manual effort and increase consistency across global pitch responses. Continuously identify opportunities to modernise the New Business Center operating model.

What You’ll Bring

• Extensive agency experience: at least 7+ years in a digital agency environment.
• Experience in international environments and working across multiple markets.
• Strategic growth leadership: ability to design global strategies aligned with ICPs and translate win/loss insights into GTM improvements.
• Operational excellence: skill in partnering with Marketing and Sales Ops to manage new business strategies, Salesforce data integrity, and pipeline velocity.
• Operational & tech savvy approach: experience with Salesforce, ABM strategies, and the adoption of AI‑enabled pitch tooling.
• Proficiency in translating data into actionable improvements for messaging and go‑to‑market strategies.
• Expertise in managing the full pitch lifecycle – from initial intake and narrative creation to final commercial decision.
• Full fluency in English and a second language as a plus (Spanish, German, Dutch).

What You’ll Get

• A flexible, hybrid working policy (2–3 days from the office, depending on location).
• DEPT®/YOU Learning Menu and DEPT®/YOU Special Programs – develop your skills with courses and programs tailored to your needs.
• Stay happy and healthy with a contribution to your health through the OpenUp platform, gym and wellness discounts, and healthy lunches at the office.
• A reputation for doing good. DEPT® has been a Certified B Corp® since 2021, has been named a Great Place to Work since 2022 in the Netherlands and named ‘Agency of the Year’ at both The Lovies and The Webby Awards.
• Awesome clients – whether big, small, local or global, at DEPT® you’ll get the opportunity to work with all of them and we celebrate all of our successes together!

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives. We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.