Sr. Director, Business Development

Rakuten Rewards; New York (NY); On-site; USD 157,464 - 293,760; Full time

Job summary

A leading digital advertising company in New York is seeking a Senior Director of Business Development to lead the business development team. The role focuses on driving new customer acquisition, achieving revenue targets, and managing client relationships. Candidates should have extensive experience in selling digital advertising solutions and a proven track record in team leadership. The position offers a competitive salary and dynamic work environment, essential for fostering growth in the organization's advertising business.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of relevant experience required; 10+ years preferred.
• Proven experience managing teams selling digital advertising solutions.
• Experience selling to C-level executives within Fortune 1000 and IAB 250.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of business development managers.
• Build relationships with industry contacts for new business.
• Drive high-volume sales activity and manage large deals.

Skills

Digital advertising solutions sales

Negotiation skills

Presentation skills

Consultative sales

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Job description

Rakuten International is a division of Rakuten Group, Inc., a Japanese global technology leader in services that empower individuals, communities, businesses and society. Headquartered in San Mateo, California with more than 4,000 employees worldwide, the Rakuten International business portfolio includes market leaders in e‑commerce, digital marketing, advertising, communications and entertainment.

Job Summary

The Senior Director of Business Development will lead a high‑performing team of digital advertising business development managers, with a primary focus on driving new customer acquisition and achieving revenue growth targets. This role requires a strategic leader who can cultivate client relationships, identify new business opportunities, and collaborate cross‑functionally to deliver impactful advertising solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of business development managers to achieve and exceed performance targets
• Build and maintain relationships with key industry contacts to generate new business opportunitiesi>
• Identify, prospect, and develop new advertiser sales leads within assigned territories
• Drive high‑volume sales activity, including outreach, presentations, and proposal development
• Represent the organization at trade shows, conferences, and industry events
• Develop and deliver strategic, data‑driven presentations to prospective clients
• Analyze the competitive landscape and position Rakuten as a market leader
• Manage and close large, complex deals while maintaining a strong sales pipeline
• Meet and exceed revenue and performance targets consistently
• Align team strategies with organizational goals to support long‑term growth
• Oversee major advertising sales decisions to ensure alignment with business objectives
• Improve operational efficiency by designing and implementing sales processes and systems
• Ensure consistency of policies and procedures across teams and initiatives
• Mentor team members on best practices, professional growth, and performance improvement

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing teams selling digital advertising solutions such as publisher media, affiliate marketing, display, search, social, video, or attribution
• Demonstrated success in generating new revenue and exceeding sales quotas
• Experience selling to C‑level executives within Fortune 1000 and IAB 250 organizations
• Strong background in consultative sales environments
• Excellent negotiation, presentation, and closing skills

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred
• 5–10 years of relevant experience required; 10+ years preferred
• Demonstrated leadership experience in digital advertising or related industries

Work Environment & Expectations

This role requires a strategic thinker with strong leadership capabilities, excellent communication skills, and the ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, results‑driven environment. The Senior Director will play a critical role in shaping the growth and success of Rakuten’s advertising business.

Five Principles for Success

Our worldwide practices describe specific behaviors that make Rakuten unique and united across the world. We expect Rakuten employees to model these 5 Shugi Principles of Success.

• Always improve, Always Advance – Only be satisfied with complete success – Kaizen
• Passionately Professional – Take an uncompromising approach to your work and be determined to be the best
• Hypothesize - Practice - Validate – Shikumika – Use the Rakuten Cycle to succeed in unknown territory
• Maximize Customer Satisfaction – The greatest satisfaction for our teams is seeing their customers smile
• Speed!! Speed!! Speed!! – Always be conscious of time – take charge, set clear goals, and engage your team

Rakuten provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type. Rakuten considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, provincial or local laws.

USD $157,464.00 - $293,760.00 annually