New Business Director

Who We Are VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human first, award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave™ Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. In addition, VML’s specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world’s largest and most awarded health agencies. VML’s global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney. About WPP WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com . Reporting into the Chief Growth Officer of VML UK, the successful candidate will demonstrate: Commercial Growth & New Business Leadership • Proven track record of delivering and exceeding new business revenue, margin and pipeline targets within a communications, consulting or agency environment. • Significant experience developing and executing new business strategies, prospecting programmes and pursuit plans that generate measurable commercial results. • Strong commercial acumen with a deep understanding of client business challenges, marketing transformation and the evolving communications landscape. • Experience supporting integrated opportunities across complex organisations and multidisciplinary teams, including cross-agency and cross-network pursuits. • Ability to identify, qualify and prioritise opportunities, balancing strategic value, commercial potential and likelihood of success. New Business Development & Pursuit Excellence • Proven ability to take a proactive role in prospecting, including developing target account lists, identifying routes to market, crafting pursuit strategies and driving engagement programmes. • Significant experience managing RFIs, RFPs, credentials requests, chemistry meetings and competitive pitch processes from qualification through to outcome. • Strong understanding of consultant-led procurement processes and agency review programmes. • Experience coordinating integrated pitch and pursuit initiatives across multiple capabilities, disciplines and partner organisations. • Ability to maintain oversight of all live opportunities and ensure momentum, accountability and progress across the pipeline. • Highly organised with excellent project management skills and the ability to manage multiple opportunities simultaneously without compromising quality. Market Intelligence & Opportunity Management • Demonstrates a strong understanding of market trends, competitive activity and emerging industry developments. • Naturally curious and commercially minded, with the ability to identify opportunities from market signals and business change. • Analytical and methodical in approach, using data and insight to inform decision-making and prioritisation. • Committed to continually improving processes, ways of working and pursuit effectiveness. Relationship Building & Influencing • Outstanding relationship development and stakeholder management skills. • Ability to build credibility and influence with senior clients, consultants, agency leadership and WPP stakeholders. • Strong networking, influenci…