Senior Business Development Lead

Bearded Kitten; Greater London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job description

🚨 We’rehiring! 🎉

Salary Range : £55,000 - £65,000 DOE

Hybrid Working

😸Whoarewe?

BeardedKittenisaglobalcreativeexperienceagencywithaportfolioofaward-winningwork.Ourmissionisclear : tofearlesslychampionfunandcreatetheunforgettable.Don’tbedeceivedbyourname- BeardedKittenistherealdeal.Fromlargescalebrandexperiencesandsamplingtourstoculturallyledlaunchevents,frombuildingimmersiveworldstoconferencesandemployeeengagementinitiatives-wecoveritall.

It’sanexcitingtimetobecomeaKitten,inthepastyearalonethecompanyhasgrownrapidlyandwe’veworkedwithsomeoftheworld’sbiggestbrands.WithanevergrowingclientbaseacrosstheUKandbeyond-thisisanopportunitytojoinafastpaced,close-knitandenergeticteam.

🤔What'stherole?

The Senior Business Development Manager leads the agency’s new-business function, acting as the strategic and operational driver behind pitch growth, lead conversion, and market expansion. This role is responsible for managing new client pipelines, shaping high-quality pitch responses, aligning internal resourcing, and feeding into the long-term commercial strategy of the agency.

The position combines strategic thinking, creative development oversight, external relationship building, and strong commercial judgement to accelerate the agency’s growth.

Role Structure :

• New Business Leadership & Pitches – 60%
• Marketing, Social, Website, SEO & Awards – 20%
• Agency Growth & Market Development – 15%
• Industry Insights & Intelligence – 5%

💭Whatwillyoudo?

1. New Business Leadership & Pitch Management

Act as the primary point of contact for new client enquiries, managing relationships from initial approach through to final pitch delivery.

Conduct chemistry sessions, establish client needs, and ensure seamless communication throughout the pitch process.

Lead internal resourcing for pitch responses—working with Senior Leadership to identify the strongest team based on expertise, capacity, and strategic fit.

Maintain oversight of pitch development, ensuring deadlines, creative direction, and client requirements are met.

Manage freelancers (creative, strategy, design) as needed for pitch support and new-biz tasks.

Help build pitch budgets and oversee commercial accuracy in submissions.

Ensure the Director of Production and Production Team receive clear briefs for pitch costings and logistical outlines.

After each pitch, gather and analyse client feedback (win or loss) to improve future performance and shape internal best practices.

2. Agency Growth & Commercial Development

Identify opportunities to grow existing accounts through upselling, cross-selling, and integrated client partnership development working closely with the Managing Partner.

Map and research new clients, sectors, and market opportunities aligned with agency ambitions, especially within :

Support the Director of Production in expanding BK Studios—enhancing outbound activity, attending chemistry sessions, and representing the studio during calls, meetings, and workshop tours.

Contribute to high-level commercial strategy and revenue planning alongside Senior Leadership.

3. Marketing, Social & Industry Engagement

Drive marketing initiatives including content creation, campaign support, thought leadership, and case-study development.

Lead the awards programme—managing submissions, identifying opportunities for Senior Leadership to speak, judge, or join panels.

Support the planning and delivery of the agency’s first self-produced owned event.

Represent the agency at industry events, conferences, networking sessions, and trade shows to support visibility and new-business growth.

Monitor industry trends, competitor positioning, and market shifts to inform strategy and identify new opportunities.

4. Operational Management & Internal Processes

Lead the weekly New Business meeting, setting agenda, actions, and follow-up.

Manage internal budgets for Ads & Marketing, Awards, Social Media, Client Entertainment, New Business, and Pitch Freelancers.

Oversee website updates and ensure all new projects and case studies are added promptly.

Maintain and refine the agency creds, ensuring it remains up to date and fit for purpose.

Manage the New Business calendar, keeping the Managing Partner informed of pipeline health and resourcing needs.

Maintain the new-biz spreadsheet, including pitch pipeline, conversion metrics, and win / loss tracking.

🔎Whoarewelookingfor?

Proven experience leading new business pitches within a creative, marketing, or production agency

Ability to own the pitch process end-to-end, from initial enquiry to final submission

Confident running chemistry meetings and building senior client relationships

Strong experience briefing and coordinating creative, strategy, and production teams

Solid commercial awareness, including pitch budgeting and cost control

Highly organised, with strong project management and deadline ownership

Experience managing new business pipelines, tracking opportunities, and reporting clearly

Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

Confident, professional, and credible in client-facing environments

Nice-to-Have

Experience driving account growth through upselling and cross-selling

Involvement in agency marketing, case studies, or thought leadership

Experience managing or contributing to an awards programme

Comfortable representing an agency at industry events and networking opportunities

Experience managing freelancers for pitch or project support

Familiarity with CRM systems, dashboards, or pipeline reporting tools

Experience supporting studio, product, or production-led growth initiatives

❤ThePerks

25dayspaidholiday,plusBankHolidays.1additionaldayaddedperyearofserviceupto5days.

ApproximatelyfiveadditionaldaysoffovertheChristmas / NewYearperiod.

Hybridworking.Minimum3daysfromtheoffice,compulsoryofficedayonWednesdays.

Flexi-timepolicy.

Generousovertimepolicy.

NewBusinessIncentiveSchemefromdayone.

EmployeeReferralIncentivePolicyfromdayone.

Employeeassistanceprogrammewithfreeaccesstomentalhealthresources.

Monthlyteamsocials,plusanannualteamoffsitewithovernightstay.

Guaranteedhilarityandnonsenseonadailybasis.

Ifthissoundslikeabitofyou,applynow!