Associate Director, Business Development in London
Associate Director, Business Development

Associate Director, Business Development in London

London Full-Time 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Publicis Groupe

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead global business development pitches and drive strategic growth initiatives.
  • Company: Join Publicis Media, a leader in modern media solutions with a global presence.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive benefits including pension, private medical cover, and flexible work arrangements.
  • Why this job: Make an impact by influencing high-stakes decisions and shaping the future of leading brands.
  • Qualifications: Experience in business development within advertising and strong leadership skills required.
  • Other info: Inclusive workplace culture that values diversity and supports employee growth.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ per year.

Company description Publicis Media harnesses the power of modern media through leading agency brands Dysrupt, Infinite Roar, Publicis Collective, Publicis Health Media, Spark Foundry, Starcom and Zenith, as well as global accelerator PMX; immersive experience group PMCI and access to integrated platform-based technologies and offerings from CJ, Epsilon and Influential. A key business solution of Publicis Groupe, Publicis Media’s digital-first, data-driven global solutions deliver client value and drive growth in a platform-powered world. It is present in over 100 countries with over 23,000 employees worldwide.

Overview This is a high‑impact role at the centre of Publicis Groupe’s global growth agenda. As Associate Director, Global Business Development, you will help lead and deliver some of the Groupe’s most strategically important global and regional new business opportunities, working closely with Global Leadership, market CEOs, and capability leads. Sitting at the intersection of strategy, operations, and leadership, the role combines hands‑on pitch delivery with ownership of global ways of working. You’ll shape how complex pitches are run, how markets are supported, and how the Global Business Development function continues to evolve at scale. This is a rare opportunity to gain exposure to high‑stakes decision‑making, influence senior stakeholders across regions, and play a defining role in how world‑leading brands choose to partner with Publicis Groupe.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and support the end‑to‑end delivery of complex global and regional pitches, ensuring clarity, pace, quality, and strong commercial outcomes
  • Own and evolve global business development processes, tools, and operating standards, driving consistency, efficiency, and scalability across markets
  • Champion continuous improvement, including AI‑enabled ways of working and best‑practice adoption
  • Manage global pipeline data, reporting, and governance, providing clear insight to senior leadership for prioritisation and decision‑making
  • Act as a connector across Global BD, Operations, Design, and local markets to enable effective collaboration and knowledge sharing
  • Partner with Global Leadership, market CEOs, and capability leads as a trusted senior advisor on multi‑market opportunities
  • Mentor and support Business Development Executives, contributing to capability development and progression across the function

Qualifications

  • Demonstrable experience in business development or client management within advertising (media or creative agency environments) at senior manager level or equivalent
  • Proven experience leading complex new business pitches or programmes, not just supporting them
  • Strong commercial acumen with a clear understanding of how agencies win, grow, and retain business
  • Confidence influencing senior stakeholders and driving outcomes without direct authority
  • Highly structured and process‑driven, with a track record of improving ways of working at scale
  • Hands‑on project and process management capability, with strong ownership of cadence, actions, and follow‑up
  • Advanced Microsoft 365 skills, with CRM experience (Salesforce or similar) and workflow tools (e.g. Monday.com) beneficial

Additional information Publicis Media 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. At Publicis Media, we are 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.

Associate Director, Business Development in London employer: Publicis Groupe

Publicis Media is an exceptional employer that champions a culture of inclusivity and continuous improvement, offering employees the chance to engage in high-impact roles that shape the future of global business development. With a commitment to employee growth through mentorship and access to a wide range of benefits, including enhanced parental leave and reflection days, Publicis Media fosters a supportive environment where diverse talents can thrive. Located in a dynamic industry, this role provides unique opportunities to influence senior stakeholders and drive meaningful change across markets.
Publicis Groupe

Contact Detail:

Publicis Groupe Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Associate Director, Business Development in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the industry, especially those at Publicis Media. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just set you apart from other candidates.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the pitch! Since this role involves leading complex pitches, practice your presentation skills. Get comfortable with storytelling and showcasing your ideas clearly and confidently.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your commercial acumen! Be ready to discuss how agencies win and grow business. Bring examples of your past experiences where you’ve influenced outcomes and driven success.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Publicis Media.

We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director, Business Development in London

Business Development
Client Management
Complex Pitch Delivery
Commercial Acumen
Stakeholder Influence
Process Improvement
Project Management
Microsoft 365
CRM Experience
Workflow Tools
Collaboration
Mentoring
Data Reporting
Strategic Thinking

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Associate Director role. Highlight your experience in business development and complex pitches, showing how you can drive growth and deliver results for Publicis Media.

Showcase Your Commercial Acumen: Demonstrate your understanding of how agencies win and retain business. Use specific examples from your past experiences to illustrate your strong commercial acumen and how it aligns with our goals at Publicis Groupe.

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure your key achievements and skills stand out without unnecessary fluff.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This way, your application will be processed efficiently, and you'll have access to all the latest updates about the role and our company.

How to prepare for a job interview at Publicis Groupe

✨Know Your Pitches Inside Out

Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the types of complex pitches Publicis Media typically handles. Familiarise yourself with their recent campaigns and how they align with the company's strategic goals. This will help you speak confidently about your experience and how you can contribute to their success.

✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen

Demonstrate your understanding of how agencies win and retain business. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past where you've successfully influenced stakeholders or driven outcomes. This will highlight your strong commercial acumen, which is crucial for the Associate Director role.

✨Emphasise Collaboration Skills

Since this role involves acting as a connector across various teams, be ready to share examples of how you've fostered collaboration in previous positions. Discuss how you’ve mentored others or improved processes, showcasing your ability to work effectively with diverse groups.

✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage complex projects. Think of situations where you had to adapt quickly or implement new strategies, especially those involving AI or innovative tools. This will demonstrate your hands-on project management capability and structured approach.

Associate Director, Business Development in London
Publicis Groupe
Location: London

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