At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead client relationships and drive strategic vision for impactful media campaigns.
- Company: Join Medialab, the UK's top independent media agency with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and generous holiday allowances.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for career growth and personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a fast-growing agency recognised for excellence.
- Qualifications: Proven media leadership experience and strong commercial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
JOIN OUR JOURNEY
Medialab is the UK’s leading independent media agency, and one of the fastest growing in the industry. We’re a media agency that’s made differently: purpose-led, data-driven, founder-run and proudly independent. Our entrepreneurial spirit means success is recognised and rewarded. There are no limits to what you can achieve here, which our employees agree with, evidenced by being a Campaign Best Place to Work for six consecutive years and one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025. As well as this, we’re Campaign’s Independent Agency of the Year 2024 and Media Week’s Independent Agency of the Year 2025. We are IPA Effectiveness accredited, an IPA People-First agency, and All In Champions, with industry-leading work recognised by double-gold at the 2024 IPA Effectiveness Awards for our work with Laithwaites and a 2025 Effie for our work with Alzheimer’s Society. Our independence means we can focus 100% on doing the right thing to secure success for our clients and our brilliant people. We work with a wide variety of clients including Hovis, IG, Sharps Bedrooms, SunLife, Standard Life, Ancestry, Laithwaites Wine, Save the Children, Guide Dogs, Alzheimer’s Society, RNLI and Clearscore.
OUR VALUES
- Commit to Doing the Right Thing (Act with integrity and accountability)
- Help People Flourish (Invest in people)
- Dig Deeper to Understand Better (Data driven curiosity)
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU
Working at Medialab comes with lots of perks including all the usual things you would expect, such as a competitive salary package, pension, season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, weekly social events and big summer / end of year parties. On top of that, we offer extra benefits, which make life at Medialab even more rewarding:
- Time to Unwind – 25 days holiday (+ Christmas holiday closure), birthday & mental health day off, holiday buying scheme, flexi-hours and work abroad scheme.
- Hybrid Working – Balance between home and office. (3 days in office) We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements from the commencement of employment.
- Career Growth – A meritocratic approach to progression with quarterly reviews, CPD Platinum accredited training, mentoring and leadership support.
- Health & Wellbeing – Private medical insurance, health cash plan, gym discounts, wellbeing apps Mental Health First Aiders and unlimited free professional counselling.
- Supporting Families – Enhanced parental leave, flexible working and life assurance.
- Giving Back – Paid charity days and sustainability initiatives.
YOUR NEXT CHALLENGE
We're looking for a Business Director to lead client relationships with confidence, commercial focus and strategic vision. This is a senior position in a growing team, reporting into a Client Managing Director. You will act as the bridge between clients, strategy, activation and measurement - shaping the director of accounts, mentoring your team, and ensuring our work delivers measurable business impact. This role isn't about day to day delivery, it's about leadership, clarity and connection. You'll oversee a portfolio of clients, guiding teams to produce work that's insight led, channel smart and strategically grounded. You'll lead by example - fostering trust, challenging thinking, and empowering others to perform at their best. You'll collaborate with Planning Directors, Digital Director and specialist Squads to deliver brilliant, joined up work that moves the needle for our clients. As a senior lead within a growing agency, this person will have a strong track record of driving both successful results for clients, and evidence of effectively managing their team P&L, through both organic growth and new business.
WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING
- Acting as the senior contact for a portfolio of clients, ensuring delivery against strategic goals and nurturing trusted, long term partnerships.
- Managing account profitability, forecasting and activation, ensuring every piece of work reflects Medialab's quality and strategic rigour.
- Line managing Account Director and overseeing a teams of 12, providing mentorship, feedback and growth opportunities aligned to their career pathways.
- Partnering with Planning, Digital and Channel Specialists to ensure campaigns are cohesive, data informed and high performing across all channels.
- Supporting strategic development: Translating client objectives into clear, actionable media and communications strategies that balance brand and performance thinking.
- Working with Squad Leads and Heads of Channel to ensure frameworks, tools and ways of working are consistently applied across your accounts.
- Overseeing all outputs across your client group - from briefs to post campaign analysis - ensuring clarity of story, insight, and effectiveness.
- Driving and contributing to pitch responses, shaping strategic recommendations and inspiring confidence in prospective clients.
- Partnering with our data and insights teams to ensure robust measurement frameworks are in place, including econometric analysis and campaign evaluation.
WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM
- Proven experience in media or communications leadership, managing multiple clients and teams, ideally across both brand and performance channels.
- Strong commercial acumen with confidence managing budgets, contracts and forecasting, ensuring value and efficiency for clients and the agency alike.
- Experience of leading and converting new business pitches, demonstrating strategic storytelling and the ability to build confidence with senior stakeholders.
- A strong understanding of measurement and effectiveness, including econometrics, attribution and KPI frameworks that link media investment to business outcomes.
- Deep understanding of the media ecosystem - from planning principles to digital activation - and how channels work together to drive outcomes.
- Strategic agility - the ability to simplify complex problems, balance long term brand building with short term growth, and bring clarity to multi channel campaigns.
- Leadership through collaboration - empowering and supporting teams to deliver their best work while creating an environment built on trust, feedback and accountability.
- Exceptional communication skills - confident, articulate and credible with senior stakeholders, with natural ability to influence and inspire.
Business Director in City of London employer: Medialab Group
Medialab Group is an excellent employer for those looking to thrive in a dynamic and innovative environment. With a focus on strategic client relationships and cross-channel media campaigns, employees benefit from a competitive salary, hybrid working arrangements, and ample opportunities for professional growth. The collaborative work culture fosters creativity and efficiency, making it an ideal place for passionate individuals to make a meaningful impact in the media planning industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Director in City of London
✨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 Medialab 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 Medialab 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 Medialab 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 Medialab Group. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Business Director in City of London
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 Medialab 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 Medialab Group:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Medialab 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 Medialab 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 Medialab 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 Medialab 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.
