At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive agency growth by securing new business and nurturing client relationships.
- Company: Dynamic social and content agency with a global presence and a values-driven culture.
- Benefits: Remote work, private healthcare, 25+ days holiday, and annual team mini breaks.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for rapid progression and personal growth.
- Why this job: Join a top-rated workplace and make a real impact in a creative environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in business development and strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
We’re a social and content agency led by talent and fuelled by technology. Since 2008, we’ve been building an integrated, digital-first offering that combines content excellence with channel best practice to drive meaningful performance for our clients. Born in London, we’ve grown into a global agency, partnering with ambitious brands across international markets and delivering work that connects with audiences wherever they are.
As a values-driven agency, our people are our power. We stay ahead of the game by hiring smart thinkers and giving them back what they put in - through rapid progression, industry-leading benefits, and a culture that has been recognised in Campaign’s Best Places to Work for over seven years running.
We are looking for a New Business Director to join our Growth team. This is a senior client-facing and commercially focused role, playing an important part in driving agency growth, client success, and market reputation. As part of an exciting period of growth for the agency, we are creating this new role to further strengthen our commercial capabilities and support our next stage of expansion.
Reporting directly to the Managing Director and forming part of the agency's Growth team, the New Business Director will be responsible for identifying, shaping, and securing new business opportunities, while nurturing strategic client relationships that drive long-term growth and revenue. Working alongside other senior growth leaders, they will help expand the agency's footprint, elevate its profile within the industry, and ensure existing client partnerships continue to thrive and evolve.
Internally, the role will provide strategic commercial leadership, champion collaboration across disciplines, and contribute to agency development, culture, and reputation. Working closely with senior leadership, they will help shape and deliver the agency's growth strategy while identifying opportunities to strengthen our market position.
The role requires a blend of commercial acumen, relationship-building expertise, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of clients' businesses, market challenges, and industry trends. Success will be measured through the generation of sustainable agency growth, both through the acquisition of new clients and the expansion of existing client relationships. This is an individual contributor role with no direct line management responsibilities. Instead, the focus is on driving new business opportunities, building senior-level relationships, growing strategic accounts, strengthening the agency's commercial position, and acting as a senior ambassador for the business within the market.
New Business Leadership & Agency Growth- Own and drive the agency’s new business strategy, identifying and pursuing opportunities that align with agency capabilities and growth ambitions.
- Build and maintain a strong pipeline of prospective clients, developing relationships with key decision-makers across target sectors and brands.
- Lead the end-to-end new business process, from prospecting and qualification through to pitch development, negotiation, and conversion.
- Represent the agency externally through networking, industry events, thought leadership, partnerships, and relationship-building activities.
- Develop and leverage a strong personal network to generate opportunities and introductions that contribute to agency growth.
- Work closely with agency leadership to identify new revenue streams, service opportunities, and strategic growth initiatives.
- Act as a senior partner to key clients, building long-term, trusted relationships at C-suite and director level and becoming their go-to advisor for strategic, creative, and commercial challenges.
- Identify and unlock growth opportunities within existing accounts through proactive relationship management and strategic consultancy.
- Ensure clients view the agency as an indispensable partner, driving measurable business impact and long-term value.
- Lead senior client conversations around business challenges, innovation, and future opportunities to strengthen partnerships and increase agency revenue.
- Oversee the commercial performance of both prospective and existing client opportunities, ensuring sustainable growth and profitability.
- Develop robust commercial proposals, scopes of work, pricing models, and contract negotiations that support agency objectives.
- Manage forecasting and pipeline reporting, providing visibility of opportunities, risks, and growth potential.
- Champion commercial best practice across the agency, ensuring opportunities are strategically evaluated and effectively converted.
- Get under the skin of clients’ businesses, industries, and challenges; providing strategic guidance and thought leadership that supports both client success and agency growth.
- Act as a trusted consultant, helping clients navigate emerging trends, market changes, and evolving consumer behaviours.
- Partner with creative, channel, production, and delivery teams to shape compelling proposals, pitches, and growth opportunities.
- Ensure client and prospect needs are fully understood and translated into impactful, innovative solutions.
- Contribute to the wider agency culture, helping shape a positive, ambitious, and high-performing commercial environment.
- Demonstrate strong knowledge of social media platforms, content creation, influencer marketing, and production processes to identify opportunities and advise clients effectively.
- Stay ahead of industry trends, including AI, automation, and emerging technologies, translating innovation into commercial opportunities for both clients and the agency.
- Position the agency at the forefront of industry developments through informed strategic counsel and thought leadership.
- Proven track record in a senior growth, business development, client leadership, or commercial role within an advertising, creative, social, or digital agency.
- Demonstrable success in generating, converting, and growing revenue through both new business acquisition and existing client development.
- Strong commercial acumen with experience building pipelines, developing proposals, negotiating commercial agreements, and securing new accounts.
- Excellent relationship-building skills with the ability to influence and build trust at senior stakeholder and C-suite level.
- Outstanding presentation, pitching, and communication skills, with the ability to inspire confidence and win business.
- Strong understanding of social media, content production, influencer marketing, and emerging technologies including AI.
- Highly organised, proactive, and comfortable managing multiple opportunities and senior relationships simultaneously.
- A collaborative team player who can bring together cross-functional teams around growth opportunities.
- Comfortable working independently as an individual contributor with accountability for commercial outcomes.
- Named in Campaign Magazine's Best Places to Work 8 years running
- Remote working predominantly - 2 days in the office per week
- Private Healthcare & Life Insurance, 25 Days+ Holiday
- Annual Team Mini break in the UK or abroad, regular socials
- Open, Engaging & Inspirational Culture
New Business Director employer: eight&four Group
As a leading social and content agency, we pride ourselves on our values-driven culture that empowers our employees to thrive. With industry-leading benefits, including private healthcare, generous holiday allowances, and a commitment to professional growth, we foster an environment where innovative thinkers can excel. Our recognition as one of Campaign Magazine's Best Places to Work for eight consecutive years reflects our dedication to creating a supportive and engaging workplace, making us an exceptional employer for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the digital landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land New Business Director
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for eight&four Group and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like eight&four Group are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with eight&four Group on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at eight&four Group. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace New Business Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit eight&four Group. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of eight&four Group:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about eight&four Group’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at eight&four Group
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at eight&four Group will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At eight&four Group, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.