Business Development Director, EMEA in England

Opus Agency is a future‑forward, full‑service global event agency that helps the world's leading brands design and deliver experiences that move people and markets. Our teams plan, create, and produce programs that bring strategy to life, build communities, and generate lasting impact.

Key Details

• Group/Team: Go to Market / Business Development
• Employment Type: Full‑time, Exempt, Salary
• Location: London or Amsterdam, with a preference for London, plus travel across EMEA
• Reports to: EVP, Strategy and Solutions
• Travel Requirements: Up to 40 percent, with increased travel during peak industry and event seasons

Business Development at Opus Agency

Business development sits at the centre of this ambition. It connects our vision, our capabilities, and our culture to the clients we serve next. As we expand our footprint across the Americas, EMEA, APAC, and new regions, we are investing in a modern, insight‑driven, AI‑infused business development model built on relationships, creativity, and measurable results.

Job Overview

The Business Development Director for EMEA is a senior individual contributor who will drive new client growth for Opus Agency across the EMEA region. Your core responsibility is to open doors, build relationships, and convert the right prospects into long‑term clients in EMEA, while helping shape the regional approach and practices as the business development function grows in the region.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive New Client Growth In EMEA (≈70 %)
  • Own and manage a healthy, opportunity‑rich pipeline of prospects and potential clients across EMEA, focusing on categories and segments that align with Opus Agency’s strengths and growth priorities.
  • Personally lead and support high‑value pursuits with priority prospects, shaping the pursuit strategy, story, and win themes for key opportunities.
  • Own the prospect experience from first contact through handoff into delivery, orchestrating the right internal teams at the right time and keeping communication clear and simple for the client.
  • Shape pursuit strategies that are insight‑led, aligned to client needs and buying dynamics in EMEA markets, and grounded in the strengths of Opus Agency’s offerings.
  • Use modern tools and AI capabilities to support research, targeting, outreach, and preparation, while keeping relationships and trust at the centre of how you engage clients.
  • Model a thoughtful, human approach to client engagement that reflects Opus Agency’s culture and values.
• Partner with Regional Leadership and Global Go‑to‑Market Teams (≈20 %)
  • Work closely with EMEA regional leadership to collaborate on growth priorities, account strategies, and market focus areas, ensuring the region presents a connected and intentional presence.
  • Partner closely with Opus Agency’s global Marketing and Growth Enablement teams as your core go‑to‑market counterparts, providing clear input into campaigns, content, thought leadership, and tools needed to attract and engage new clients across EMEA.
  • Collaborate with account, strategy, and delivery leaders in the region to ensure a smooth handoff from pursuit to onboarding and early program delivery.
  • Coordinate with peers in North America and APAC, and with global leaders, to support multi‑region and global pursuits where EMEA is a key market.
• Measure, Learn, and Continuously Improve (≈10 %)
  • Contribute to setting and managing clear goals for pipeline health, pursuit activity, and new client revenue in EMEA.
  • Maintain accurate and timely information in our systems to ensure leadership has visibility into performance, trends, and opportunities within the region.
  • Share feedback from the market to help refine our approach, inform where we focus time and investment, and improve how we position Opus Agency across EMEA.

Professional Development

This role is designed to grow with you and with Opus Agency. In the near term, you will be a senior, hands‑on driver of new client growth in the EMEA region. Over time, as the business development function grows in the region, you may have the opportunity to:

• Take on a larger leadership role across the EMEA business development function.
• Help define and then mentor additional business development team members in the region.
• Play a larger role in multi‑region and global pursuits.
• Grow into a Senior Director‑level role based on sustained performance, leadership, and impact.

What You Will Bring To Opus Agency (Skills)

• Relationship building and executive presence
• A powerful, active network
• Connector and convener
• Hands‑on pursuit leadership
• Strategic thinking and planning
• Collaboration and communication
• Operational discipline
• AI and tools literacy

Core Qualifications

• Significant experience in business development or client development for an events or experiential marketing agency.
• A consistent track record of attracting, winning, and growing new client relationships across EMEA markets.
• Strong experience in the events and experiential marketing industry, with a clear view of the agency and brand landscape, key categories, and how the ecosystem is evolving in EMEA.
• Familiarity with the industry ecosystem, including the trade publications, communities, associations, and events that shape conversation and opportunity in the region.
• Experience navigating complex buying environments in global and regional brands, including marketing, business leadership, and strategic sourcing and procurement, and the ability to coach internal teams to work effectively with each group.
• Experience collaborating closely with marketing and enablement teams to align campaigns, content, and tools to growth priorities.
• Comfort working across time zones and collaborating with colleagues in other regions on multi‑market pursuits.

Desired Characteristics

• Versatility – adaptable and resourceful, able to navigate complex situations, work across regions, and find effective paths forward in evolving environments.
• Optimism – a positive, forward‑looking mindset that sees opportunity in change and brings energy and encouragement to teams and clients.
• Integrity – a commitment to doing the right thing, building trust with clients and colleagues, and representing Opus Agency with honesty and consistency.
• Curiosity – a genuine interest in clients, industries, and global markets, with a habit of asking good questions and seeking out new insights.
• Excellence – a high standard for quality in strategy, outreach, and execution, and a drive to elevate how business development is practiced across the agency.

Application Process And Requirements

When you apply, we would love to see examples that demonstrate your ability to lead business development and growth in previous roles, such as:

• Brief case summaries of new client relationships you helped originate and grow.
• Any thought leadership, presentations, or other materials that highlight how you think about growth, client relationships, and the future of business development.

During the interview process, we may ask you to walk us through a recent proposal or the approach you would take to building a new client pipeline for Opus Agency. Our goal is to understand how you think, how you lead, and how you work with others.

What You Can Expect In Return

• Full time position
• Opportunities for growth and development
• Health & dental insurance options
• London Bridge office with rooftop working and social spaces
• Hybrid/remote working flexibility
• Regular team social occasions
• Extended bank holiday weekends in May and August
• Christmas and New Year period office closure

Physical Requirements

Individuals will be required to sit for the majority of the day and will be required to stand as needed. May require walking primarily on a level surface for periodic periods throughout the day. Reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist or lifting as required to file documents or store materials throughout the workday. Proper lifting techniques required. Individuals will be required to travel via airplane, train, taxi, car and/or other means of transportation as needed.

Other Duties And Acknowledgement

The above noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the employee/candidate a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of the position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

EEO Statement

Opus Agency does not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.