Director, New Business

Quad•Chicago, IL

2d•$119,650 - $191,430

About The Position

General Purpose of Job The Director of New Business is responsible for enabling and accelerating revenue growth by leading and supporting the new business process from RFI through final decision. This role partners closely with opportunity leads to facilitate the entire pitch process, ensuring teams are focused, equipped, and positioned to win new business. The Director of New Business oversees the development and execution of new business pitches by translating complex client needs into compelling, insight-led proposals across targeted accounts and industries. This role works closely with agency and pitch team leadership by managing new business resources (including project management, design, copywriting, etc.) with speed and efficiency, ensuring high-quality output under tight timelines. As a senior leader, the Director of New Business balances strategy with hands-on execution and plays a critical role in elevating how the agency competes, presents, and delivers in every pitch. This is a highly collaborative, roll-up-your-sleeves role for someone who can lean in, make decisions, and get the job done well. This role includes, but is not limited to, the following key areas of activity: RFI/RFP development Research and audit insights Presentation development and support Pitch process and workflow management SOW development and support

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree required, Masters or Advanced Degree preferred
8-10 years of business experience
Proven track record of supporting or leading successful new business efforts and complex, multi-disciplinary pitches.
Strong understanding of marketing services, including strategy, creative, media, data/analytics, and technology.
Exceptional writing, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives for senior client and executive audiences.
Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, focused on delivering client value while driving agency profitability.
Deep understanding of marketing services, including strategy, creative, media, analytics, and marketing technology.
Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple RFPs, opportunities, and deadlines simultaneously.
Collaborative, influential leader capable of aligning and motivating teams.
Proven experience leading and developing teams in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Results-oriented and self-directed, with strong follow-through and the ability to work effectively with minimal supervision.
Entrepreneurial, proactive mindset with the ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities and market conditions.
Creative and analytical thinker who can develop innovative marketing solutions and assess the effectiveness of proposed tactics.
Passion for winning new business, balanced with discipline around opportunity fit, scope, and long-term profitability.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with media planning and strategy is preferred

Responsibilities

Partner with pitch leadership to define and execute the new business process from opportunity RFI through proposal submission and presentation.
Develop and maintain frameworks, tools, and processes that enable the new business team to pursue opportunities efficiently and effectively.
Lead the creation of proposals, credentials, and pitch materials that clearly articulate the agency’s value, approach, and differentiation.
Translate client business challenges and objectives into clear, compelling stories that resonate with mid-market decision-makers.
Ensure every pitch reflects a strong point of view, practical thinking, and a deep understanding of the prospect’s needs and priorities.
Prepare new business team and agency leadership for presentations by aligning messaging, defining roles, and ensuring Q&A readiness.
Stay informed on industry trends, competitive dynamics, and emerging client needs to continuously refine new business strategy and approach.
Lead the sales support team responsible for RFP responses, proposals, pitch development, and presentations.
Oversee end-to-end pitch execution, including discovery, story development, solution design, pricing coordination, and final delivery.
Establish and maintain best practices for pitch quality, messaging consistency, and overall new business excellence.
Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing team with a strong sense of ownership, accountability, and collaboration.
Foster a culture of curiosity, continuous improvement, and results-driven execution.
Operate as a hands-on, working leader who actively contributes to pitches and problem-solving as needed.
Track, analyze, and report on new business performance metrics, including pipeline health, win rates, deal size, and profitability.
Partner closely with Strategy, Creative, Media, Data, and Client Services leaders to develop integrated, insight-driven solutions.
Facilitate focused internal working sessions to uncover insights, define scope, and align teams around the recommended approach.
Lead support for pitches, ensuring teams stay aligned, accountable, and focused throughout the process.