Growth Director

VML South Africa; London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic and innovative agency as a Growth Director, where your leadership and strategic vision will drive new business success. This role is pivotal in shaping the growth function, requiring a proactive self-starter who excels in building relationships and inspiring teams. You'll lead strategic initiatives, identify opportunities, and collaborate across the agency to enhance our market presence. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, this forward-thinking agency fosters a vibrant culture that values creativity and innovation. If you're passionate about driving growth and making an impact, this is the opportunity for you!

Qualifications

• Proven success in developing new business strategies in advertising.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills to build relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead new growth opportunities and develop strategic initiatives.
• Identify new business opportunities and manage the new business team.

Skills

Business Development

Leadership

Analytical Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Presentation Skills

Financial Acumen

Education

Degree in Marketing or Business

Job description

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.

Who we’re looking for:

This role is a key lead within the growth function of VML UK, working in VML’s integrated growth and marketing team, closely with all capabilities across the business, the leadership team, and reporting to the UK Group Chief Growth Officer.

You need to be a proactive smart self-starter with a track record in driving growth and reputation. A problem solver, someone who can make stuff happen and champions our creative work at every opportunity.

The attitude and approach of the Growth Director is, in many ways, as important as the experience and skills they possess – as the department is the heartbeat of our agency. In this role, you will be a face of our agency, forging new relationships and building upon existing ones. You will need to be an exceptional communicator, able to inspire confidence in clients and colleagues alike. The agency environment is varied and fast-paced, and you’ll need to be a creative thinker to help identify and convert opportunities.

Therefore, the right candidate will need to possess bags of energy and drive and demonstrate a passion for growing current clients and winning new business.

Outstanding organisational skills are an absolute essential – as are forward planning and attention to detail. The ability to manage complex workloads and absolute adherence to deadlines are key.

Success in this role will be determined by achieving individual KPIs which align to department targets related to revenue, profitability, brand perception and awareness, as well as senior stakeholder satisfaction.

To ensure success in the role, you will work alongside another New Business Director, supported by an Associate Director of New Business, Senior New Business Manager, and New Business Manager as well as wider growth & marketing team members across the UK Group.

This is an opportunity to help continue to shape the UK’s leading integrated agency as well as the world’s largest creative network.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading and driving key net new and organic growth opportunities within the business, driving the win strategy and working collaboratively with all key capabilities.
• Lead key strategic initiatives for business growth, aligning with the agency's overall goals.
• Identify new business opportunities and potential clients, developing relationships with key stakeholders.
• Monitor new business tracking, reporting, the revenue pipeline, and leads.
• Arm the agency with a library of new business material, transformational growth cases, thought leadership content, and tech (e.g., RFI content and delivery platform).
• Conduct market research and analysis to identify trends and opportunities within the industry.
• Develop and implement a business development process, including lead generation, qualification, and nurturing.
• Develop proposals and presentations for potential clients, showcasing the agency's capabilities and expertise.
• Stay up to date with industry news and trends, attending conferences and networking events as needed.
• Manage and mentor the new business team, providing guidance and support as needed.
• Create content and partnerships with key consultants, intermediaries, and analysts.
• Develop new business relationships with key WPP agencies.
• Utilise VML marketing for growth content to drill down into targeted growth-driving material for prospects and clients.
• Enhance our ABM strategy for lead generation and pitch prospecting.
• Work with the agency's leadership team to develop new service offerings and revenue streams.
• Identify and address any operational inefficiencies that may impact new business efforts.

Requirements

• Proven track record of success in developing and executing new business strategies in the advertising and marketing industry.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues.
• Strong leadership skills, with experience managing and mentoring teams.
• Strong financial acumen, with experience managing budgets and financial performance.
• In-depth knowledge of the advertising and marketing industry, including trends, challenges, and opportunities.
• Excellent presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to analyse data and metrics to inform decision-making.
• In-depth knowledge of marketing and advertising techniques and strategies, including digital marketing.
• Strong business acumen, with the ability to understand and align business objectives with marketing strategies.
• Experience working with diverse teams and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization—creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers—who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.