Business Development Manager (for a brilliant independent agency)

Business Development Manager Leeds – Hybrid £34,000–£42,000 DOE

Growth-focused. Relationship-led. More sales than marketing.

We’re recruiting exclusively for an ambitious independent agency that’s looking to kick on to the next level.

What they really need is a commercially minded Business Development Manager who can spot opportunities, open doors, build relationships and help turn good conversations into new revenue.

This isn’t a “sit behind a spreadsheet and hope leads appear” kind of role. You’ll need to be proactive, organised and confident getting in front of the right people, while working closely with the senior team to shape the agency’s new business approach.

The agency already has a strong reputation, great work and plenty to talk about. Now they need someone who can help get that story in front of more of the right brands.

What You’ll Be Doing

✔ Identifying and developing new business opportunities across target sectors

✔ Building and nurturing relationships with prospective clients, partners and industry contacts

✔ Supporting the senior team with outreach, follow-ups, introductions and commercial conversations

✔ Managing and maintaining a structured new business pipeline through CRM activity

✔ Helping shape proposals, credentials, presentations and pitch materials

✔ Supporting events, partnerships and networking activity that create new opportunities

✔ Spotting ways to raise the agency’s profile and open up warm conversations

✔ Working closely with leadership to understand the agency’s proposition, target clients and growth priorities

✔ Keeping momentum high across new business activity - because growth needs someone properly driving it

What You’ll Bring to the Table

Skills & Experience

• 3–5 years’ experience in business development, sales, new business, account management, agency growth or a similar commercial role

• Agency experience would be a significant advantage

• A proven ability to build relationships and create commercial opportunities

• Confidence approaching prospects, following up and keeping conversations moving

• Strong communication skills - written, verbal and in the room

• Experience using CRM systems to manage contacts, pipelines and activity

• Comfortable working with senior stakeholders and contributing to commercial plans

• Organised, proactive and able to manage multiple opportunities at different stages

Mindset & Approach

• Commercially switched-on and genuinely interested in how agencies grow

• Relationship-led rather than pushy - credible, warm and persistent in the right way

• Confident opening doors and creating conversations

• Comfortable taking ownership rather than waiting for instructions

• Curious about brands, marketing, media and the wider agency world

• Resilient enough to know that new business takes patience, pace and a bit of graft

Why Join?

Join an ambitious independent agency entering an exciting new phase of growth Work directly with senior leaders and influence how the business develops Take ownership of a role with real commercial impact Be part of a collaborative team where ideas are welcomed and action matters Hybrid working with flexibility built in Company pension, social events and home working support

If you’re proactive, commercially minded and enjoy turning conversations into opportunities, this could be a brilliant next move.

Curious? Please apply.