Business Development Director

500 Degrees; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 150,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Job summary

A leading marketing agency in Columbus, Ohio is seeking a Business Development Director who is a strategic thinker and skilled storyteller. This hybrid role involves leading new business efforts and collaborating closely with senior leadership. The ideal candidate should have over 5 years of experience in business development, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to manage complex projects effectively. The company offers a competitive salary range of $150,000 to $175,000, along with benefits like medical and vision insurance and a 401(k).

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in business development or strategic marketing.
• Proven track record in leading new business efforts including RFIs and RFPs.
• Exceptional storytelling and communication skills with a persuasive presentation ability.

Responsibilities

• Lead new business efforts including driving pitch strategy and building compelling pitches.
• Work with leaders on the end-to-end pitch process from RFIs and RFPs.
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders to ensure unified storytelling in every pitch.

Skills

Business Development

Storytelling

Strategic Marketing

Project Management

Leadership

Communication

Education

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

Tools

PowerPoint

Keynote

Job description

Join to apply for the Business Development Director role at 500 Degrees

We’re looking for a high-energy Business Development Director who is equal parts strategist, storyteller, and ringleader to join the team at 500 Degrees. You’ll bring a hunter’s mindset and a builder’s touch, driving growth with both precision and passion. This role is for someone who loves the chase as much as the close, thrives on momentum, and knows how to turn a spark of opportunity into a winning pitch.

This role is a hybrid role and based out of our Columbus, Ohio office

As the bridge between leadership and pitch teams, you’ll shape narratives that stick, steer efforts from RFI to RFP to final handshake, and keep the process as inspiring as the ideas themselves. The ideal candidate pairs business savvy with creative empathy – comfortable structuring pitch timelines one moment and storytelling the next. You bring rigor, curiosity, and calm to the chaos of pitching, ensuring every pursuit feels purposeful, every team feels supported, and every story lands with impact.

What You’ll Do

• Lead new business efforts including driving pitch strategy, shaping standout pitches, and pushing momentum forward at every stage.
• Work with key leaders to own and drive the end-to-end pitch process, from RFIs and RFPs to narrative development, team coordination, and final delivery.
• Collaborate with senior leaders to build and activate targeted prospecting plans.
• Align executive stakeholders across the agency to ensure every pitch tells a compelling, unified story.
• Partner with the SVP, Director of Growth Lead to maintain pitch timelines, expectations, and communications.
• Write and refine persuasive RFI and RFP responses that reflect our voice, vision, and value.
• Coach senior presenters to deliver with clarity, confidence, and energy.
• Ensure processes run smoothly with precision, hustle, and attention to detail adhering to deadlines in the complex RFI/RFP landscape.
• Demonstrate passion, adaptability, and a team-first mindset, especially when the pitch heat is on – win mentality.
• Contribute to agency positioning, marketing, and business development strategy in collaboration with the growth and marketing teams.

What You’ll Need

• 5+ years of experience in business development, agency growth, or strategic marketing preferably within a marketing, advertising, or integrated communications agency.
• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Proven track record of leading and supporting new business efforts, including RFIs, RFPs, pitch development, and client engagement – in a creative agency setting or professional services.
• Exceptional storytelling and communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives and present with clarity, confidence, and persuasion – using a variety of mediums.
• Demonstration of strong writing skills and presentation skills (including PowerPoint and Keynote).
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with a history of coordinating cross-functional teams and meeting complex deadlines under pressure.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization and unify diverse voices into a cohesive message.
• High adaptability, resilience, and a team-first mindset, especially during high-stakes pitch scenarios.
• Strong professionalism and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to travel from time-to-time to support new business.

Seniority Level

• Director

Employment Type

• Full-time

Job Function

• Business Development

Industries

• Advertising Services and Marketing Services

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at 500 Degrees by 2x

Columbus, Ohio Metropolitan Area $150,000.00-$175,000.00