Manager, Business Development

Publicis Groupe; Toronto; On-site; CAD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Zenith Canada, part of Publicis Groupe, is seeking a Business Development Manager to lead local Zenith new business pitches and coordinate with international teams. This newly created role centralizes support for Canadian pitches and, where capacity permits, provides additional support to the broader Publicis Media team.

The position requires 2–3 years of relevant experience, cross-media planning skills, and strong written communication.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 2-3 years of relevant professional experience.
• A diploma or degree in project management, or a related field, is considered an asset but is not required.
• Previous experience supporting new business pitches or working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Experience in cross-media planning, with digital and programmatic planning capabilities strongly preferred.
• Experience using Microsoft Suite tools and AI innovation such as Copilot.
• Strong cultural awareness, sensitivity, and the ability to collaborate effectively across markets and teams.
• Confidence navigating complex organizations and working effectively with stakeholders at all levels; able to articulate a clear point of view and present with credibility to senior audiences.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, stakeholders, and competing priorities.
• Exceptional written communication skills, with the ability to develop polished, pitch-ready materials and capture clear, accurate meeting notes.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally, including occasional weekends, and to work flexibly when required.

Responsibilities

• Lead local Zenith new business pitches and provide Canadian market support for global pitches, including the development of RFI and RFP responses, pitch collateral, and on-site meeting coordination.
• Lead the transition and onboarding of new clients, serving as the primary client contact for organizational coordination.
• Maintain accurate agency reporting using key industry tools and platforms, including Salesforce, COMvergence, and RECMA.
• Develop a strong understanding of Publicis Media and Publicis Groupe capabilities and collaborate with subject-matter experts across these organizations to source relevant content and expertise.
• Manage internal and external award submissions, including Strategy Agency of the Year and the Media Innovation Awards.
• Keep Zenith leadership team up to date on all new business processes and operations.

Skills

Cross-media planning

Stakeholder collaboration

Written communication

Travel adaptable

Education

Diploma or degree in project management (asset)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Copilot AI

Job description

Company description

Zenith is the ROI Agency. Our more than 6,000 specialists across 95 markets offer unparalleled capabilities in Media, Data, Technology, Commerce and Content. We put effectiveness at the heart of our work to solve complex challenges, drive successful business outcomes, and grow our clients’ businesses. Zenith is part of Publicis Media, the media arm of Publicis Groupe.

Over the past year, Publicis Media hasbeen transforming the way we do our business. From structuring our investment practice around data and digital to bringing our strategy, data sciences and research practice under one house, we’ve been shaping Publicis Media to be the media network of tomorrow. One that both you and I want to work at.

Publicis Media Canada is proud to be Great Places to Work™ certified and recognized with Best Workplaces™ for Today’s Youth. We provide continuing opportunities for career growth by fostering a diverse work environment that respects and supports individual contributions and opinions.

We also offer our employees market leading benefit and incentive programs. You’ll be provided with 3 weeks minimum vacation to start plus additional long weekend Publicis days, holidays closures, your birthday off, free Headspace memberships, wellness and technology credits, and a market leading savings plan.

We strive to provide what matters to you personally with the ability to choose and modify programs to suit your lifestyle

Overview

As a member of the Publicis Media Canada Business Development team, the Zenith Business Development Manager will play a key role in stewarding Canada-based new business pitches and coordinating with international and global teams as required. This newly created position will centralize support for Canadian pitches led by Zenith and, where capacity permits, provide additional support to the broader Publicis Media team.

Responsibilities

• Lead local Zenith new business pitches and provide Canadian market support for global pitches, including the development of RFI and RFP responses, pitch collateral, and on-site meeting coordination.
• Lead the transition and onboarding of new clients, serving as the primary client contact for organizational coordination.
• Maintain accurate agency reporting using key industry tools and platforms, including Salesforce, COMvergence, and RECMA.
• Develop a strong understanding of Publicis Media and Publicis Groupe capabilities and collaborate with subject-matter experts across these organizations to source relevant content and expertise.
• Manage internal and external award submissions, including Strategy Agency of the Year and the Media Innovation Awards.
• Keep Zenith leadership team up to date on all new business processes and operations.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 2-3 years of relevant professional experience.
• A diploma or degree in project management, or a related field, is considered an asset but is not required.
• Previous experience supporting new business pitches or working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Experience in cross-media planning, with digital and programmatic planning capabilities strongly preferred.
• Experience using Microsoft Suite tools and AI innovation such as Copilot.
• Strong cultural awareness, sensitivity, and the ability to collaborate effectively across markets and teams.
• Confidence navigating complex organizations and working effectively with stakeholders at all levels; able to articulate a clear point of view and present with credibility to senior audiences.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, stakeholders, and competing priorities.
• Exceptional written communication skills, with the ability to develop polished, pitch-ready materials and capture clear, accurate meeting notes.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally, including occasional weekends, and to work flexibly when required.

Additional information

We’re committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. Accommodations are available throughout the hiring process upon request.

Salary

Transparency matters to us. The salary range for this position is $75k - 85k per year. Actual compensation within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and applicable certifications. This range reflects what we reasonably expect to offer based on current market data.

AI Use

We use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of our hiring process, such as reviewing applications or analyzing resumes. These tools assist our recruitment team but never replace human decision-making. We believe in a human-first approach, where your experience and potential are recognized by people.

Zenith is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome and encourage applications from all interested parties. Accommodations are available, upon request, for all stages of the interview and employment process for those with a disability or medical need during any stage of the recruitment process. We thank all candidates for their interest in Zenith , however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.