Executive Director, Growth & Development — Strategic Partnerships

twentysix; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 230,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

R/GA is seeking an Executive Director, Growth & Development to own and convert opportunities while leading high-stakes business development efforts. You will be a senior, client-facing growth partner with sharp strategic thinking and pitch leadership, able to operate autonomously with confidence.

You are expected to be well-connected, proactive, and highly strategic—bringing deep knowledge of digital and offline marketing, technology, and the RFP/RFI process.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of business development, marketing, or consulting within an agency or digital services.
• Proven ability to independently manage RFP/RFI processes, pitch teams, and live prospect engagement.
• Strong network and track record of building meaningful client relationships that lead to retained business.
• Experience managing complex deals with procurement and legal counterparts.
• Excellent presentation, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to turn signals in noise into real opportunity.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage end-to-end RFP processes, from initial assessment through to handoff, including briefing, response strategy, proposal development, and live presentation.
• Confidently lead prospect conversations and briefings—identifying when to bring in discipline leads and when to run point on your own.
• Navigate RFI asks with strategic clarity amid shifting market conditions and technological innovation.
• Lead pitch efforts from both inbound and outbound sources—shaping the agency POV across product, experience, and creative opportunities.
• Manage complex personalities and workflows involved in a pitch—balancing prospective clients, procurement partners, and internal teams.
• Collaborate closely with senior executives, locally and globally, building relationships to unlock opportunities.
• Proactively initiate new client relationships and identify organic growth and backchannel opportunities.
• Define and evolve the new business strategy and processes in partnership with the SVP, Head of Growth, Americas and other growth leaders.
• Contribute to capabilities presentations, prospecting decks, and thought leadership for outbound strategy.
• Maintain a live database of client and prospect intelligence.
• Lead internal pitch meetings and new business updates to leadership.

Skills

RFP/RFI management

Pitch leadership

Relationship building

Negotiation

Presentation skills

Opportunity spotting

Job description

R/GA is seeking an Executive Director, Growth & Development to own and convert opportunities while leading high-stakes business development efforts. You will be a senior, client-facing growth partner with sharp strategic thinking and pitch leadership, able to operate autonomously with confidence.

You are expected to be well-connected, proactive, and highly strategic—bringing deep knowledge of digital and offline marketing, technology, and the RFP/RFI process.