New Business Director

Who We Are

VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human first, award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy’s. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave™ Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. In addition, VML’s specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world’s largest and most awarded health agencies. VML’s global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unitecutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counselin a single company –powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open,to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.

Reporting into the Chief Growth Officer of VML UK, the successfulcandidate will demonstrate:

Commercial Growth & New Business Leadership

• Proven track record of delivering and exceeding new businessrevenue, margin and pipeline targets within a communications,consulting or agency environment.
• Significant experience developing and executing new businessstrategies, prospecting programmes and pursuit plans thatgenerate measurable commercial results.
• Strong commercial acumen with a deep understanding ofclient business challenges, marketing transformation and theevolving communications landscape.
• Experience supporting integrated opportunities acrosscomplex organisations and multidisciplinary teams, includingcross-agency and cross-network pursuits.
• Ability to identify, qualify and prioritise opportunities, balancingstrategic value, commercial potential and likelihood ofsuccess.

New Business Development & Pursuit Excellence

• Proven ability to take a proactive role in prospecting, includingdeveloping target account lists, identifying routes to market,crafting pursuit strategies and driving engagementprogrammes.
• Significant experience managing RFIs, RFPs, credentialsrequests, chemistry meetings and competitive pitch processesfrom qualification through to outcome.
• Strong understanding of consultant-led procurementprocesses and agency review programmes.
• Experience coordinating integrated pitch and pursuit initiativesacross multiple capabilities, disciplines and partnerorganisations.
• Ability to maintain oversight of all live opportunities and ensuremomentum, accountability and progress across the pipeline.
• Highly organised with excellent project management skills andthe ability to manage multiple opportunities simultaneouslywithout compromising quality.

Market Intelligence & Opportunity Management

• Demonstrates a strong understanding of market trends,competitive activity and emerging industry developments.
• Naturally curious and commercially minded, with the ability toidentify opportunities from market signals and businesschange.
• Analytical and methodical in approach, using data and insightto inform decision-making and prioritisation.
• Committed to continually improving processes, ways ofworking and pursuit effectiveness.

Relationship Building & Influencing

• Outstanding relationship development and stakeholdermanagement skills.
• Ability to build credibility and influence with senior clients,consultants, agency leadership and WPP stakeholders.
• Strong networking, influencing and negotiation skills with theconfidence to challenge constructively when required.
• Demonstrates emotional intelligence and excellent judgementwhen navigating complex stakeholder environments.

Marketing, Brand & Agency Profile

• Experience supporting or delivering marketing and profile-building initiatives that enhance agency visibility and supportgrowth ambitions.
• Strong understanding of brand positioning, thought leadership,events, content and PR as drivers of awareness andcommercial opportunity.
• Demonstrates genuine passion for creativity, innovation andthe work produced by VML.

Business Development Operations & Enablement

• Experience maintaining and continually improving a best-in-class new business infrastructure, including case studies,credentials, pitch materials and sales tools.
• Proven ability to create, organise and manage contentlibraries, ensuring key materials are easily accessible andconsistently maintained.
• Comfortable developing credentials presentations andsupporting materials for client meetings, leadershippresentations and ad hoc business development activity.
• Strong experience using Salesforce (or equivalent CRMplatforms) to manage pipeline data, track opportunities,support forecasting and produce management reporting.
• High attention to detail and commitment to processexcellence, governance and quality standards.

Leadership & Collaboration

• An inspiring, collaborative leader with experience managing,coaching and developing high-performing teams.
• Ability to motivate and mobilise cross-functional teams aroundgrowth opportunities and shared commercial goals.
• Demonstrates accountability, ownership and the ability tocreate momentum in fast-paced environments.
• Strong team player who builds trusted partnerships acrossfunctions, disciplines and leadership teams.

Communication & Presentation Excellence

• Exceptional written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Ability to distil complex information into clear, compelling andpersuasive narratives.
• Experience developing and refining pitch stories, credentialspresentations and client-facing communications.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing workof consistently high quality.

Personal Attributes

• Highly self-motivated, entrepreneurial and results-oriented.
• Demonstrates initiative, creative thinking and a proactiveapproach to problem-solving.
• Calm, resilient and confident under pressure.
• Able to manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines whilemaintaining quality and attention to detail.
• Organised, adaptable and comfortable operating withinambiguity.
• Energetic, curious and passionate about driving growth.

We believe the best work happens when we’re together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That’s why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

VML is a WPP agency (NYSE: WPP). For more information, please visit www.vml.com, and follow along on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

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