New Business Manager

VML South Africa; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

VML, part of WPP, seeks a commercially-minded New Business Manager to drive growth through proactive prospecting, managing complex pitch processes, and coordinating cross-functional pursuits within a leading creative environment.

Reporting to the New Business Director, you will own end-to-end activity, build strong client relationships, and ensure high-quality, data-informed decision making to grow revenue and opportunities in a fast-paced agency setting.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a new business or business development role within a communications, consulting, or agency environment.
• Strong track record of supporting new business strategies and pursuit plans that generate commercial results.
• Experience managing competitive pitch processes (RFIs, RFPs) and developing compelling pitch materials.
• Good commercial acumen with an understanding of client business challenges and the evolving communications landscape.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple opportunities simultaneously without compromising quality.
• An analytical and methodical approach, with experience using data to inform decision-making.
• Outstanding relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to distil complex information into clear, persuasive narratives.
• A highly motivated, proactive, and results-oriented individual with a passion for driving growth.
• Experience using Salesforce or an equivalent CRM platform to manage pipeline data and reporting is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support the New Business Director in executing the new business strategy to achieve revenue and pipeline targets.
• Take a proactive role in prospecting, including helping to develop target account lists, identifying routes to market, and driving engagement programmes.
• Manage the end-to-end process for RFIs, RFPs, credentials requests, and chemistry meetings, from initial qualification through to outcome.
• Coordinate integrated pitch and pursuit initiatives across multiple capabilities, disciplines, and partner organisations.
• Help maintain a clear view of all live opportunities, ensuring momentum, accountability, and progress across the pipeline.
• Use data and insight to inform decision-making and prioritisation of new business opportunities.
• Develop high-quality credentials presentations, case studies, and other supporting materials for client meetings and leadership presentations.
• Support the maintenance and continuous improvement of our new business infrastructure, including sales tools and content libraries.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, agency leadership, and WPP partners to ensure collaborative and effective new business pursuits.

Skills

New business

Agency experience

Pitch management

Client relationship

Salesforce

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

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 unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in 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.

The Opportunity

This is a fantastic opportunity for a commercially-minded and proactive New Business Manager to join our dynamic growth team at VML. Reporting to the New Business Director, you will play a pivotal role in executing our new business strategy, driving the pursuit of new opportunities, and helping to shape the future growth of the agency.

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about building relationships, managing complex pitch processes, and uncovering opportunities that lead to measurable commercial results. You will be a key player at the heart of our agency’s growth engine, supporting integrated pursuits and ensuring the highest quality in all our new business efforts. If you are an organised, energetic, and ambitious new business professional ready to make a significant impact, this is the role for you.

What you will be doing

• Support the New Business Director in executing the new business strategy to achieve revenue and pipeline targets.
• Take a proactive role in prospecting, including helping to develop target account lists, identifying routes to market, and driving engagement programmes.
• Manage the end-to-end process for RFIs, RFPs, credentials requests, and chemistry meetings, from initial qualification through to outcome.
• Coordinate integrated pitch and pursuit initiatives across multiple capabilities, disciplines, and partner organisations.
• Help maintain a clear view of all live opportunities, ensuring momentum, accountability, and progress across the pipeline.
• Use data and insight to inform decision-making and prioritisation of new business opportunities.
• Develop high-quality credentials presentations, case studies, and other supporting materials for client meetings and leadership presentations.
• Support the maintenance and continuous improvement of our new business infrastructure, including sales tools and content libraries.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, agency leadership, and WPP partners to ensure collaborative and effective new business pursuits.

What we want from you

• Proven experience in a new business or business development role within a communications, consulting, or agency environment.
• A strong track record of supporting new business strategies and pursuit plans that generate commercial results.
• Experience managing competitive pitch processes (RFIs, RFPs) and developing compelling pitch materials.
• Good commercial acumen with an understanding of client business challenges and the evolving communications landscape.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple opportunities simultaneously without compromising quality.
• An analytical and methodical approach, with experience using data to inform decision-making.
• Outstanding relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to distil complex information into clear, persuasive narratives.
• A highly motivated, proactive, and results-oriented individual with a passion for driving growth.
• Experience using Salesforce or an equivalent CRM platform to manage pipeline data and reporting is highly desirable.

Who we are

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 26,000 employees across 150+ offices in 55-plus 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. 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.