New Business Director

New Business Director

Full-Time 49500 - 60500 £ / year (est.) Hybrid
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead new business strategies and create winning pitches for top clients.
  • Company: Join Publicis London, a hub of creativity and innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive perks like private medical cover and reflection days.
  • Other info: Inclusive culture that values diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping the agency's growth and client relationships.
  • Qualifications: Experience in new business within a creative agency and strong project management skills.

The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.

We are Publicis London. At Publicis London we have one founding belief - that nothing is more valuable than an idea that Moves The World. We're focused on the absolute best of international creativity: be that British brands looking to export or Global brands requiring a London hub. We want the best talent from around the globe to bring their skills to our agency. Some of our clients include L’Oréal, Essity, Nestlé, Heineken, Renault/Dacia, Tourism Ireland and many more.

Our values are designed to guide the way we behave. We have three:

  • Empathy: listen with intent, look out for each other, bust your biases.
  • Invention: Find inspiration in strange places. Never stop experimenting. Make new things and make them useful.
  • Action: make it collaborative, make it happen, make it mean something.

We're hiring a New Business Director to help shape the next chapter of growth at Publicis London. This is an opportunity to take real ownership of how the agency identifies opportunities, builds relationships and turns ambitious thinking into winning pitches. You'll work closely with senior leadership and teams across the agency and Publicis Groupe, bringing together strategy, creativity and commercial thinking around the opportunities that matter. If you enjoy making complex pitches happen while keeping people focused, collaborative and inspired, this role gives you meaningful scope to make an impact.

Responsibilities

  • Shape and deliver the agency’s new business strategy, identifying and qualifying opportunities that support its growth ambitions.
  • Build a strong pipeline of prospective clients, developing relationships with clients, pitch consultants and industry contacts.
  • Lead pitches from brief to final submission, creating clarity around strategy, responsibilities, priorities and deadlines.
  • Bring together creative, strategy, planning, production, client services and Groupe expertise to develop compelling responses to client briefs.
  • Turn Publicis London's positioning, creative work and effectiveness credentials into persuasive stories tailored to different clients and opportunities.
  • Partner with marketing to connect targeted outreach, thought leadership, events, credentials and content to new business priorities.
  • Use feedback, pitch performance and conversion data to strengthen future pitches and help build an inclusive, commercially focused new business culture.

Qualifications

  • Relevant new business experience gained within a creative agency or comparable environment, with a strong understanding of how agency pitches work.
  • Experience leading complex new business pitches from start to finish, balancing strategic thinking with outstanding delivery.
  • Strong commercial judgement, with the ability to assess opportunities, understand client needs and focus effort where it can have the greatest impact.
  • Excellent project management skills, with the ability to bring structure and clarity to multiple pitches and workstreams.
  • Clear and persuasive communication skills, together with the ability to build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, prospective clients and partners.
  • A collaborative, solutions-focused approach that helps different disciplines contribute their best thinking towards a shared goal.
  • Strong attention to detail and appreciation for excellent creative work; experience bringing together capabilities across international markets or disciplines is welcome but not essential.

Publicis London offers a wide range of benefits to support our employees. Full details are shared when you join, but highlights include core benefits such as Pension, Life Assurance, and Private Medical cover, alongside enhanced policies like Reflection Days and Shared Parental Leave. You'll also have access to a range of additional initiatives.

Publicis Groupe works primarily from the office or our clients' office four days per week. Publicis London is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, disability, age, citizenship, relationship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.

We are committed to providing a fair, accessible, and inclusive recruitment process. If you have any access needs - for example, related to disability, neurodivergence, or a health condition - please let us know. We'll work with you to ensure the process works for you. Sharing this information will never impact your application. Guided by our values, we listen with empathy, uplift each other, take responsibility, and embrace change - building a culture where everyone feels seen, respected, and genuinely included.

New Business Director employer: Publicis Groupe UK

Publicis Sapient is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic work culture where innovation and collaboration thrive. As a Digital Transformation Associate Consultant, you will benefit from extensive professional development opportunities, working alongside industry leaders while contributing to impactful projects for diverse clients. With a focus on a start-up mindset, the company encourages creativity and agility, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in a vibrant environment.

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Contact Details:

Publicis Groupe UK Recruitment Team

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 Publicis Groupe UK 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 Publicis Groupe UK 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 Publicis Groupe UK 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 Publicis Groupe UK. 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

New Business Strategy Development
Client Relationship Management
Pitch Leadership
Strategic Thinking
Project Management
Commercial Judgement
Communication Skills

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 Publicis Groupe UK. 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 Publicis Groupe UK:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Publicis Groupe UK’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 Publicis Groupe UK

✨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 Publicis Groupe UK 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 Publicis Groupe UK, 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.