GAIN Customer Science - Business Development Manager (Media)

GAIN is a creative-led, insight-driven company that blends data, tech and creativity. We believe the best ideas emerge where intelligence and creativity unite, where insight sparks imagination, and where innovation turns possibility into progress. We are explorers of new frontiers, shaping bold strategies that move people, brands, and businesses forward. Individually and together, our specialist teams provide the vision, data, and confidence brands and organisations need to make braver, more impactful decisions. Today as GAIN, we work as a united force, using data to fuel creativity, and technology to unlock new possibilities. As imagineers we don’t just embrace innovation – we engineer it, transforming information into action, and ideas into breakthroughs. This is where rebel thinking, smart technology, and data-driven creativity shape the future.

The Business Development Manager (Media) will own the end‑to‑end media new business pipeline: proactively sourcing opportunities, qualifying and managing media RFPs, and partnering with senior media leadership to take pitches through to conversion. The role sits within a growing media function, working as a part of the Customer Science team with strategic partnerships with the Creative Studios and Performance to bring in integrated briefs and drive incremental revenue beyond organic growth. The role reports into the Customer Science Business Development Director with close mentorship by the Client & Media Director.

Responsibilities

• Proactively identify and track relevant media RFPs and pitch opportunities across the market, industry networks, platforms and any centralised distributions.
• Lead the RFP process from opportunity assessment through to pitch stage, including requirements gathering, response writing, coordinating inputs and meeting all deadlines.
• Work hand‑in‑hand with the media lead: preparing materials, shaping narratives and attending pitches as the operational owner of the process.
• Build and maintain an organised pipeline of opportunities, ensuring visibility of status, likelihood and resource needs for each potential pitch.
• Collaborate closely with Performance and Creative Studios so integrated opportunities (brand, performance, above‑the‑line) are seen and pursued holistically, not in silos.
• Act as the primary point of contact for internal stakeholders around media new business, helping them route leads, RFPs and cross‑sell opportunities into the media team.
• Support internal “roadshow” activity and new business showcases, sharing media case studies and successes to unlock opportunities with existing and new clients.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the new business process, tools and templates so the team can respond faster and more effectively.

Key Skills

• Familiarity with common media planning, measurement and audience tools (e.g. Nielsen, MMM, Brand Awareness Analysis), and willingness to quickly learn the agency’s full tech stack.
• Strong writing skills for crafting compelling RFP responses and pitch materials, and strong verbal skills for contributing in client meetings.
• Comfortable using CRM or pipeline tracking tools, shared drives and collaborative platforms to keep opportunity data and documentation up to date.
• Up to date and interested in new media trends and technologies.
• Involved in the local Media networking world, comfortable in networking environments with senior leadership.
• Familiarity with key suppliers across different media channels.
• 4–6 years’ experience in media, media sales or media agency roles, with hands‑on exposure to planning, buying or selling media solutions.
• Proven experience managing or contributing to RFPs and pitches, ideally across both brand/above‑the‑line and performance/digital activity.
• Strong commercial acumen and an entrepreneurial mindset; comfortable operating in a smaller, growing media team rather than a large network agency “machine”.
• Highly organised and detail‑oriented, able to juggle multiple live RFPs and stakeholder demands while maintaining a clear process.
• Confident communicator and collaborator who enjoys working cross‑functionally with strategy, creative and performance teams and representing media in front of clients.

How You’ll Work

• Constant curiosity: You can think critically and understand the data, knowing where you need to take action. You’re analytical with the ability to investigate and resolve problems.
• Pushing boundaries: You’ll make the most efficient use of technology, suggesting process improvements.
• The power of our imagination: You’re a problem solver who goes the extra mile. You’ll know the best approach to take with clients to get results.
• Making it happen: You’re proactive and you know you can make a difference. You use your sound judgement when making decisions and you take responsibility for your decisions and actions.
• Putting people first: You’ll build effective relationships with people, internally and externally, understanding both business and client needs.

Benefits

• Private Medical Insurance BUPA
• Life Assurance
• Income protection
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work salary sacrifice scheme
• Tech & Wearables salary sacrifice scheme
• Octopus EV Scheme
• Discounts and deals on a range of items from hotels, holidays and hormone testing to cinema, gyms and will writing.

GAIN is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.