Associate Business Development Director

Publicis Groupe; London, Newcastle-under-Lyme; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Publicis Media UK seeks a Business Development Associate Director to shape the future of top brands. This pivotal role involves leading pitches, managing client relationships, and mentoring junior talent within a high-performing team. Join us to drive growth and innovation in a dynamic media environment.

Benefits

WORK YOUR WORLD opportunity

REFLECTION DAYS

HELP@HAND BENEFITS

FAMILY FRIENDLY POLICIES

FLEXIBLE WORKING

BIRTHDAY DAY OFF

GREAT LOCAL DISCOUNTS

Qualifications

• Experience in new business or client management.
• Understanding of marketing and media processes.
• Confident storyteller with strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the end-to-end pitch process.
• Develop pitch strategy and manage RFIs/RFPs.
• Mentor and guide junior talent.

Skills

Client management

Project management

Communication

Strategic thinking

Job description

Company Description

We help brands make BOLD MOVES

Nowadays, brands want rapid, spectacular growth and they expect media to deliver it.

Clients used to give us media briefs that said “deliver 80% awareness” or “give me an impactful Christmas campaign.”

Now we hear

“Take me from 4th to 1st in my category”

“Help me grow 10% in a market declining 10%”

“Make me the most loved brand in my industry”

These are huge asks of media, that can’t be met through tweaking the media plan of two years ago.

Decades of advertising research prove that without a big change, large brands stay large and small brands stay small.

This is why Zenith help brands make BOLD MOVES.

Bold moves are big, brave changes to media strategy, delivering more impact for brands and more value for consumers.

Bold moves are backed up with a solid forecast – they are a better path to growth.

Bold moves build a partnership – we believe in this approach so much we link our growth to your success.

Bold Moves bring bigger ROI

This approach works for our clients, our people and consumers – it’s why we are recognised as the UK’s best media agency.

Our CommitmentAt Zenith UK, we believe that fostering an inclusive culture where all talent can thrive makes our company stronger. It enables a greater idea exchange, which fosters innovation and creativity, and enriches our perspective.We are committed to Publicis Groupe’s wide variety of talent engagement and inclusion programming, and encourage our people to take an active role in continuing to drive positive change within our agency.

Job Description

Are you ready to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of some of the world’s most dynamic brands? Publicis Media UK is looking for an exceptional Business Development Associate Director to join our award-winning new business team, based at our stunning headquarters in London’s iconic Television Centre.

As the growth engine behind renowned agencies such as Zenith, Starcom and Spark Foundry, Publicis Media is home to trailblazing thinkers and doers who thrive on winning. From L’Oréal and Sky to Santander and LinkedIn, we don’t just pitch – we deliver industry-leading results.

You’ll be joining a high performing team, which won Campaign’s Business Development Team of the Year in 2023. We have an exceptional track record for winning business and have had a sustained period of excellence in recent times, including landing the massive L’Oréal & Sky accounts in 2024 and already we have won Monzo, Santander, LinkedIn and retained Asda in 2025.

The role will sit within a team of new business Associate Directors, Directors, a Group Head and Chief Growth Officer, working across the portfolio of Publicis media brands. This means you will have exposure to and develop skills and knowledge across all areas of media from but not limited to ATL and BTL marketing strategies. This is an exciting and important role within our high-energy and fast-moving division.

Responsibilities

• In this high-impact role, you’ll lead and support key aspects of the end-to-end pitch process and lead strategic pitches across top-tier brands, driving revenue growth and elevating our agency’s profile.

• You'll be at the centre of it all – developing pitch strategy, managing RFIs and RFPs, crafting compelling stories, and orchestrating every element from production to performance.

• This includes market intelligence, analysis, coordination, management and alignment of project pitch deliverables. As part of a growing team, the collaboration, on-boarding and careful management of market resources is crucial.

• As a mentor, you’ll guide and grow junior talent while ensuring every project hits the mark.

• This is more than a job – it’s a chance to collaborate with some of the sharpest minds in media, contribute to transformational campaigns, and accelerate your career within one of the most respected marketing collectives globally.

Qualifications

• Experience in new business or client management with a good grasp and understanding of the marketing/communications/media sphere with an extensive understanding of all aspects of the media process

• Exposure to all areas of media from but not limited to ATL and BTL marketing strategies

• A confident storyteller with sharp communication and project management skills

• A strategic thinker with deep media industry insight

• A collaborative spirit who thrives under pressure and leads with purpose

Publicis Media is built on Trust, Talent, and Transformation – if you’re ready to bring those values to life and fuel the next wave of agency success, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now and help us shape the future of media.

Additional Information

Zenith UK has fantastic benefits on offer to all of our employees. In addition to the classics, Pension, Life Assurance, Private Medical and Income Protection Plans we also offer;

• WORK YOUR WORLDopportunity to work anywhere in the world, where there is a Publicis office, for up to 6 weeks a year.
• REFLECTION DAYS- Two additional days of paid leave to step away from your usual day-to-day work and create time to focus on your well-being and self-care.
• HELP@HAND BENEFITS24/7 helpline to support you on a personal and professional level.Access to remote GPs, mental health support and CBT.Wellbeing content and lifestyle coaching.
• FAMILY FRIENDLY POLICIESWe provide 26 weeks of full pay for the following family milestones: Maternity. Adoption, Surrogacy and Shared Parental Leave.
• FLEXIBLE WORKING, BANK HOLIDAY SWAP&BIRTHDAY DAY OFFYou are entitled to an additional day off for your birthday, from your first day of employment.
• GREAT LOCAL DISCOUNTSThis includes membership discounts with Soho Friends, local restaurants and retailers in Westfield White City and Television Centre.

Full details of ourbenefits will be shared when you join us!

Publicis Groupe operates a hybrid working pattern with full time employees being office-based three days during the working week.

We are supportive of all candidates and are committed to providing a fair assessment process. If you have any circumstances (such as neurodiversity, physical or mental impairments or a medical condition) that may affect your assessment, please inform your Talent Acquisition Partner. We will discuss possible adjustments to ensure fairness. Rest assured, disclosing this information will not impact your treatment in our process.

Please make sure you check out the Publicis Career Pagewhich showcases our Inclusive Benefits and our EAG’s (Employee Action Groups).

#LI-AB1