Director, Business Development

New York, NY

Purpose

We are looking for a dynamic Director, Business Development who is highly motivated and driven to help create unfair attention in the marketplace for McKinney. This person is an ardent agent for growth and a seasoned pitch team leader with a proven track record for driving conversion. This role is about leading the end-to-end business development process, from building relationships with pitch consultants to assessing our pitch opportunities, integrating pitch teams, and driving the development and delivery of compelling pitch experiences that win new business and elevate our agency's profile throughout the process. 

Ideal Candidate

The Director, Business Development is a charismatic leader with a proven track record in business development at a creative agency. You’ve been involved in winning the big pitches but also have experience seeing what doesn’t win. This role requires creativity, strategic thinking, and leadership skills to manage RFIs and the pitch process, from the first client engagement to the final presentation.

As a manager, you will be responsible for bringing out the best in the business development manager and working together to develop and deploy best practices to convert more new business opportunities. 

This position reports to the Executive Director, Head of Growth. 

Responsibilities

  • Responsible for stakeholder alignment in determining new business opportunities we pursue– i.e., “Go-No-Go” decisions and the research and discussions that inform those decisions
  • Analyze RFIs/RFPs to understand client needs and strategically tailor RFIs and pitch efforts to address those needs effectively throughout the pitch journey.
  • Act as pitch captain:
    • Understands that every touchpoint throughout a pitch process matters. Every letter, email, phone call, meeting, and dinner is intentional and must excite prospective clients to want to work with us.
    • Ensures all pitch materials are on-brand, compelling, and clearly communicate our value proposition. 
    • Knows how to unite and motivate various departments (marketing, creative, strategy, account, etc.) to develop winning pitch experiences, strategies, and presentations.
    • Knows how to inform pitch strategies and presentations and the power of story arching to ensure our presentations are clear and connect to the prospects in the room. 
    • Listens deeply to client needs, ensuring our proposals are persuasive and profoundly aligned with what matters most to prospective clients. 
    • Understands how to create pitch personas for the KDMs responsible for selecting the final agency and build experiences that connect with them emotionally. 
    • Provide feedback and guidance to the pitch team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.
  • Has strong relationships with consultants, knows how to work with them during a pitch, and can push them to get what the agency needs to deliver to be successful in a pitch.
  • Develop and maintain a deep understanding of industry trends, challenges, and opportunities and connect them to the pitch experience.
  • Partner with the marketing director to align pitch efforts with broader business goals and prospecting initiatives. 
  • Deliver weekly reporting on new business updates.
  • Live into McKinney's mantra 'Refuse To Be Ignored' every day.

Competencies

Creative Stewardship. A high standard of creative work that is award-winning, applauded by the industry, and appreciated by existing clients and new business prospects.

Relationship Management. A professional role model with positive influence who motivates colleagues. Ability to collaborate with all key stakeholders across all offices.

Cultural Leader. Help activate and foster the McKinney culture and serve as a McKinney Brand Ambassador to the advertising industry.

About McKinney 

McKinney is a creative agency that gets unfair attention for brands. In 2024, McKinney was named to Fast Company's Best Workplaces for Innovators list, as well as Ad Age's A-List and its list of Best Places to Work (2024 and 2025), reinforcing the agency's commitment to providing an exceptional workplace culture where employees thrive, and creativity flourishes. McKinney Health, the agency's Pharma and Wellness practice launched in 2022, was named to MM+M Magazine's 2024 Agency 100 list. A Certified B Corporation, McKinney is part of the Cheil Worldwide network and has offices across the country, including Durham, New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Phoenix, and Toronto. McKinney has been recognized by Cannes Lions, Effies, The One Show, D&AD, ANDY, CLIO, LIA, the Shortys, and The Webby Awards, among others. Client partners include brands such as Popeyes, Blue Diamond Growers, Little Caesars, Pampers, Henkel, Samsung, Indivior, Sherwin-Williams, Biogen and the Ad Council. For more information, visit mckinney.com.

Salary Range

Our estimated range for this role is $150k - $175k

Compensation packages are based on the skill level and experience each candidate brings to their role. There may also be a more senior or junior position available that could be a better fit with your expertise. Each level has its own compensation range.

We pride ourselves on competitive salaries, and ensuring pay equity exists across our organization. We benchmark each position against existing employee competencies and 4As compensation data which includes geographic and agency size benchmarks. We also meet with department leaders 3x/year to ensure we are supporting employees in living into their full potential.  Our promotions are not limited to a specific time per year. Promotions are tied to performance.  

Right To Work In The US

You must be authorized to work in the US for any employer.  At this time, we are not sponsoring or providing assistance with obtaining work authorization.

McKinney is a place where everyone can grow. Studies have shown that marginalized communities  such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. However you identify, and whatever background you bring with you, please apply if this is a role that would make you excited to come into work every day.

We are in the office Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday on a hybrid schedule. We look forward to meeting you!

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