Business Development Account Director

Aafpgh; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Aafpgh is seeking a Business Development Account Director in Pittsburgh to oversee client accounts. You will lead a team, ensuring client satisfaction and driving agency growth through collaboration and communication.

The ideal candidate has at least 8 years of experience in an advertising agency and a strong ability to build relationships and identify business opportunities. This role requires excellent time management skills and a proactive approach to client engagement.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in an advertising agency.
• Proven ability to identify revenue opportunities and close new business.
• Self-motivated with the ability to manage a business development pipeline.

Responsibilities

• Act as the hub of communication for clients and the agency.
• Lead a team of professionals to implement effective advertising strategies.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships.

Skills

Relationship-building

Networking

Analytical skills

Negotiation skills

Communication skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Communications, Marketing, or related field

Job description

Description

Get closer to your agency.

We are collaborators and communicators who build brands and partnerships. Balancing a big agency mindset with the intimacy of a smaller firm, we prioritize long-term results while fostering a creative environment where good people thrive. While we take pride in our work, our greatest accomplishment is our ability to attract and retain talented and friendly individuals, shaping our reputation as an inclusive and supportive workplace. As one of Pittsburgh’s most awarded agencies, we remain committed to excellence, driven by our status as an employee-owned and operated business.

Get closer to your role.

As a Business Development Account Director, you will play a key role in overseeing client accounts, driving client satisfaction, and supporting agency growth. You will be responsible for facilitating communication between clients and the agency, fostering collaboration across agency disciplines, identifying opportunities to expand existing client relationships, and cultivating new business opportunities that align with the agency's capabilities and goals.

Requirements

Get closer to your responsibilities.

• Acting as the hub of communication for both the client and the agency
• Leading a comprehensive team of advertising professionals to develop and implement effective advertising strategies
• Proactively and strategically supporting your clients, which can range from the education of the clients’ industries to the delivery of marketing campaigns
• Develop strong client relationships and seek opportunities for growth
• Build and maintain a pipeline of prospective clients and business opportunities
• Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships through additional services and cross-disciplinary solutions
• Develop and nurture relationships with prospective clients, referral partners, and community organizations
• Qualify new business opportunities based on agency capabilities, client needs, and long‑term fit
• Partner with agency leadership and subject matter experts to prepare proposals, presentations, and pitches for prospective clients
• Lead or participate in new business meetings, presentations, and discovery sessions
• Coordinate the agency's response to RFPs and other business development opportunities
• Maintain visibility in the marketplace through networking events, industry organizations, and community involvement
• Track business development activity, sales pipeline, and revenue opportunities to support agency growth goals
• Ensure a seamless transition of newly acquired clients into the account management process.

Experience, skills, knowledge.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Communications, Marketing, or related field
• 8+ years of advertising agency experience
• Strong relationship‑building, networking, analytical and negotiation skills
• Ability to understand and analyze performance metrics
• Proven communication skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Demonstrated success developing new business opportunities and growing client relationships
• Experience preparing and delivering client presentations and business proposals
• Proven ability to identify revenue opportunities and close new business
• Self‑motivated with the ability to manage a business development pipeline while maintaining existing client relationships