Director, New Business

Chicago, IL - In Office/Hybrid 

VSA is a strategy and creative agency with 40 years of experience working with some of the world's most respected brands and forward-thinking organizations, including Google, Nike and IBM. From start-ups to blue chip companies, tech to healthcare, VSA helps our clients understand how to stand out in an increasingly noisy world. In other words: we focus on the moments that matter most to design and deliver a better human experience, and to in turn drive real-world business impact.  

ABOUT THE POSITION

We're seeking a highly motivated, entrepreneurial Director, New Business to lead client acquisition and drive business development. As the key player and leader for New Business efforts, you will leverage your experience and network to develop and foster lasting relationships with potential clients. 

We're looking for a hunter-the ideal candidate will have a proven track record of bringing in new clients; developing and implementing innovative, strategic thinking; and executing on aggressive outbound initiatives. 

This candidate should have an in-depth understanding of the agency-client dynamic as well as the core disciplines at VSA-including strategy, design, and digital-and how these disciplines can be leveraged to solve real-world business problems for our clients. 

They should also have both insight and instinct for why and how clients buy, current industry trends and business climate, and how to best position VSA's offerings in light of these conditions. 

.RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and execute a strategic plan to identify and pursue New Business opportunities, generating leads through networking, market research, and proactive outreach to potential clients.
• Demonstrate a profound understanding of our business, including brand strategy, digital trends, design, and creative campaigns, while staying informed about industry developments and trends to position the company as a leader in the field.
• Build and nurture relationships with key decision-makers, collaborating with internal teams to tailor solutions that meet clients' unique needs and expand and diversify the client portfolio to drive revenue growth.
• Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and networking functions to showcase our capabilities, foster relationships, and position the company as a go-to partner for brand and design consulting.
• Work closely with internal teams to develop and present compelling proposals and presentations to prospective clients, clearly communicating the value proposition of our services and demonstrating how we can address clients' business challenges.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track the success of business development efforts, providing regular reports and insights to leadership on progress and opportunities.
• Provide regular reports and insights to leadership on progress and opportunities.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, advertising, communications, business, or related field.
• 10+ years of work experience, recent agency experience preferred, with 6 years of client acquisition and business development demonstrating a consistent track record.
• Previous experience advising clients through brand transformations and a proven track record of pursuing and winning New Business.
• Strong presentation and communication skills, with the capability to find opportunities and define business problems.
• Demonstrated ability to be forward-thinking and innovative, with skills in problem-solving, judgment, critical thinking, and decision-making.
• Strong people and influence leadership skills, with an interest in connecting people, building relationships, and contributing to a talented team.