Director, Business Development

Publicis Digital Experience, a division of Publicis Groupe, is a network of top-tier agencies designed to develop capabilities and solutions that enable growth and provide scaled access to the digital expertise of Publicis Groupe. Together, the portfolio creates value at the intersection of technology and experiences to connect brands and people. With expertise in consumer engagement, CRM, and commerce, Publicis Digital Experience powers brands and empowers people in a new era of creativity. The network includes over 7,000 employees across global offices and agency brands such as Razorfish, Digitas, Mars United Commerce, Arc Worldwide, Saatchi & Saatchi X, Plowshare, and 3Share. Capabilities span the full customer journey from creative and experience to commerce and CRM through specialized practices like ConnectedCRM and Publicis Commerce Group.

About the role

Publicis Digital Experience is seeking a dynamic and entrepreneurial Business Development Director to drive the next phase of agency growth. This role involves identifying, pursuing, and converting new business opportunities across commerce, retail, digital, and connected marketing. The ideal candidate is a strategic storyteller, relationship builder, and growth operator with a deep understanding of the modern marketing ecosystem. This position partners closely with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to develop compelling solutions that solve complex client challenges and position Publicis Digital Experience as a differentiated growth partner.

This is a hybrid role based in either Chicago or New York, requiring onsite engagement an average of 3-4 days per week. Candidates must 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.

Requirements

• 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.
• Exceptional storytelling, communication, presentation, and negotiation skills, along with high emotional intelligence.
• Natural sense of urgency with the ability to work efficiently within tight deadlines and evolving project parameters.
• Flexible and adaptable, capable of managing multiple concurrent projects and competing priorities.
• Comfort operating with a high level of ownership, autonomy, and accountability.
• Highly collaborative but independently capable.

Benefits

• 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.
• Tuition Assistance.
• Paid time off including Flexible Time off, Vacation, Annual Sick Days, Volunteer Days, Holiday and Identity days, and more.
• Matching Gifts programs.
• Flexible working arrangements and 'Work Your World' Program (eligible employees can work from any Publicis Groupe office for up to 6 weeks a year).
• Business Resource Groups supporting multiple affinities and alliances.
• Medical and voluntary benefits for eligible U.S.-based employees, including supplemental medical insurance, transportation and parking benefits, legal benefits, pet insurance, and auto and home insurance.
• Eligibility for medical and voluntary benefits after 90 consecutive calendar days of employment.

Pay

Compensation Range: USD $121,315.00 - USD $174,300.00/Annually. This role may also be eligible for bonus or incentive compensation. Compensation will be determined based on skills, qualifications, and experience, consistent with applicable law.

Schedule

This is a hybrid role requiring onsite engagement an average of 3-4 days per week in either the Chicago or New York office.