Director, Business Development

Publicis Digital Experience; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 121,315 - 174,300; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Flexible working arrangements

401(k) plan

Medical/voluntary benefits

Job summary

Publicis Digital Experience in the United States is seeking a dynamic Business Development Director to drive growth across commerce, retail, digital, and connected marketing. You will identify opportunities, build executive relationships, and lead integrated pitch processes from prospecting through close.

This hybrid role can be based in Chicago or New York, with onsite engagement 3–4 days per week. You will partner with leadership and cross-functional teams to craft solutions and grow a robust

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in account management, sales, and business development within digital agencies or consulting.
• Proven track record of driving revenue growth and leading complex, multi-stakeholder pitches.
• Strong understanding of modern marketing, commerce, retail media, and digital transformation.
• Ability to translate client challenges into strategic, integrated marketing and commerce solutions.

Responsibilities

• Identify, qualify, and lead new business opportunities aligned with Publicis Digital Experience growth priorities.
• Build and cultivate senior-level relationships with prospective clients, agency partners, and industry stakeholders.
• Develop strategic pursuit plans and pitch win strategies tailored to each opportunity.
• Partner with executive leadership to shape compelling narratives, integrated solutions, and differentiated go-to-market approaches.
• Lead end-to-end pitch management, including RFI/RFP responses, timeline management, team coordination, presentation development, and final delivery.
• Collaborate across strategy, creative, media, commerce, data, technology, and production teams to develop integrated client solutions.
• Drive proactive outbound business development efforts through networking, industry events, thought leadership, and targeted outreach.
• Maintain and grow a robust pipeline of opportunities across key categories and verticals.
• Leverage a consultative approach to uncover client pain points, growth opportunities, and transformation needs.

Skills

Executive presence

Storytelling

Communication

Negotiation

Cross-functional leadership

Sales/networking

Time management

Emotional intelligence

Education

Bachelor's degree in advertising/marketing or related field

Tools

Salesforce CRM

Job description

Company Description

A division of Publicis Groupe, Publicis Digital Experience is a network of top-tier agencies designed to develop capabilities and solutions to enable growth and provide scaled access to the digital capabilities of Publicis Groupe in service of our clients. Together, the Publicis Digital Experience portfolio endeavors to create value at the intersection of technology and experiences to connect brands and people. Our model to transform every brand experience will help clients navigate, develop, and activate commerce in a way that will provide them with a future‑proof model for modern marketing. With our unique expertise in consumer engagement, CRM, and commerce, Publicis Digital Experience powers brands and empowers people in a new era of creativity. An ever‑changing landscape and the need for fluid thinking is just part of our problem‑solving nature. Which means we’re untethered from any specific medium or method… we go where ideas will work best. We are an expanding network of more than 7,000 employees across global offices, unified under the Publicis Digital Experience umbrella. Our portfolio includes agency brands such as Razorfish, Digitas, Mars United Commerce, Arc Worldwide, Saatchi & Saatchi X, Plowshare and 3Share. Our capabilities span the full customer journey from creative and experience to Commerce and CRM through specialized practices like ConnectedCRM and Publicis Commerce Group.

Overview

Publicis Digital Experience is seeking a dynamic and entrepreneurial Business Development Director to help drive the next phase of agency growth. This individual will play a critical role in identifying, pursuing, and converting new business opportunities across the commerce, retail, digital, and connected marketing landscape. The ideal candidate is equal parts strategic storyteller, relationship builder, and growth operator. They possess a deep understanding of the modern marketing ecosystem and are energized by building relationships, uncovering opportunities, and leading integrated pitch processes from prospecting through close. This role will partner closely with executive leadership and cross‑functional teams across Publicis Groupe to develop compelling solutions that solve complex client challenges and position Publicis Digital Experience as a differentiated growth partner. PLEASE NOTE: This is a hybrid role that can be based out of either our Chicago or New York offices and will require onsite engagement an average of 3‑4 days/week. All candidates should be commutable to one of these locations and willing to commit to a hybrid schedule.

Responsibilities

• Identify, qualify, and lead new business opportunities that align with Publicis Digital Experience growth priorities and capabilities.
• Build and cultivate senior‑level relationships with prospective clients, agency partners, and industry stakeholders.
• Develop strategic pursuit plans and pitch win strategies tailored to each opportunity.
• Partner with executive leadership to shape compelling narratives, integrated solutions, and differentiated go‑to‑market approaches.
• Lead end‑to‑end pitch management, including RFI/RFP responses, timeline management, team coordination, presentation development, and final delivery.
• Collaborate across strategy, creative, media, commerce, retail, data, technology, and production teams to develop integrated client solutions.
• Drive proactive outbound business development efforts through networking, industry events, thought leadership, and targeted outreach.
• Maintain and grow a robust pipeline of opportunities across key categories and verticals.
• Leverage a consultative approach to uncover client pain points, growth opportunities, and transformation needs.
• Serve as a trusted and credible representative of Publicis Digital Experience and the broader Publicis Groupe Power of One model.
• Partner with marketing and communications teams to evolve external‑facing materials, case studies, credentials, and thought leadership content.
• Track and report pipeline activity, pitch performance, and business development metrics through Salesforce and related systems.
• Stay informed on emerging industry trends across commerce, retail media, AI, consumer engagement, and digital transformation.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressively‑responsible professional experience in account management, sales, business development, client leadership, growth strategy, or customer relationship management within a digital agency, commerce agency, consulting organization, or integrated marketing environment. Prior experience within Publicis Groupe or another holding company preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in advertising, marketing, or related field preferred; experience may be substituted.
• Proven track record of driving revenue growth and leading successful new business pursuits.
• Deep understanding of modern marketing, commerce, retail media, digital transformation, and connected consumer experiences.
• Familiarity with Salesforce or comparable CRM platforms.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to engage and influence senior client stakeholders.
• Experience leading complex, cross‑functional pitch processes across multiple disciplines and stakeholders.
• Ability to translate client business challenges into strategic, integrated marketing and commerce solutions.
• Active listener with exceptional storytelling, communication, presentation, and negotiation skills as well as a high degree of emotional intelligence.
• A natural sense of urgency with an ability to work quickly, efficiently, and accurately within tight deadlines and constantly‑evolving project parameters, scope, and goals.
• Flexible and adaptable with an ability to manage and drive success across multiple concurrent projects and competing priorities.
• Comfort operating with a high level of ownership, autonomy, and accountability.
• Highly collaborative but independently capable.

Additional Information

• Paid Family Care for parents and caregivers for 12 weeks or more
• Monetary assistance and support for Adoption, Surrogacy and Fertility
• Monetary assistance and support for pet adoption
• Employee Assistance Programs and Health/Wellness/Comfort reimbursements to help you invest in your future and work/life balance
• Tuition Assistance
• Paid time off that includes Flexible Time off Vacation, Annual Sick Days, Volunteer Days, Holiday and Identity days, and more
• Matching Gifts programs
• Flexible working arrangements
• 'Work Your World' Program encouraging employees to work from anywhere Publicis Groupe has an office for up to 6 weeks a year (based upon eligibility)
• Business Resource Groups that support multiple affinities and alliances

The benefits offerings listed are available to eligible U.S. Based employees, are reviewed on an annual basis, and are governed by the terms of the applicable plan documents. We also offer medical and voluntary benefits to our freelancers and temporary employees. Voluntary benefit options include supplemental medical insurance, transportation, and parking benefits, legal benefits, pet insurance, and auto and home insurance. You must be actively employed for 90 consecutive calendar days in order to be eligible for Publicis medical and voluntary benefits. You will also be eligible to participate in the Publicis 401(k) Plan after you complete 1,000 work hours in a consecutive 12‑month period.

Publicis Digital Experience is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our employment decisions are made without regard to actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, medical condition as defined by applicable state law, genetic information, marital status, military service and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances. If you require accommodation or assistance with the application or onboarding process specifically, please contact [e-mail]. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Compensation Range: USD $121,315.00 - USD $174,300.00/Annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. This role may also be eligible for bonus or incentive compensation. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third‑party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. Temporary roles may also qualify for participation in our 401(k) plan after eligibility criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 9/1/2026.