Business Development Director

Reporting Location: London - 16 Hatfields Workplace Type: Hybrid TEAM: Business Development REPORTING TO: International Business Director ABOUT US tms unites technology, marketing, and sourcing to drive transformational change for the world's leading brands. With 1,200+ employees across 26 countries, we offer an impressive range of solutions - from inspiration and innovation to category management and delivery. Operating as a creative agency, a strategic consultancy, a sourcing business and a technology provider, we engage with over 110 million customers every single day for our clients, including McDonald's, T-Mobile, O2, Samsung, Starbucks and adidas. Most importantly, we're a place where you can achieve great things, and be recognised as the best. WHAT MATTERS THE MOST Breakthrough, business-driving ideas come from extraordinary people with the freedom to be their most authentic selves at work. Authenticity and diversity are critical elements of our business. They can only be realised when we create access and equity for all. We foster a culture of inclusion and belonging and aspire to be ever evolving. tms is a place where brilliant people are better together. If you want your ideas to be heard and to contribute to a culture of inclusion and authenticity, bring us your voice! Visit us at tmsw.com WHY WE THINK YOU WILL LOVE THIS ROLE In this newly created role, you’ll be responsible for building, growing, and shaping our new business development function. Working closely with our lead generation team, you’ll bring broad experience across new business strategy, lead nurturing, collaboration with the marketing team on events and content, and the leadership and successful delivery of RFIs and RFPs. You will develop and execute a UK go-to-market strategy, establishing tms as a trusted partner across key industries and client segments. This role requires a strong operator with deep UK market connectivity, capable of building strategic relationships and delivering integrated solutions across loyalty, partnerships, marketing, digital engagement, and product innovation. As the senior Business Development lead in the UK, you will represent international priorities locally while building a high-performing business development capability within the market. WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE ORGANISATION UK Growth Strategy Define and execute an annual growth strategy for the UK market, aligned to overall company objectives. Own and deliver against UK new business revenue targets, with accountability for pipeline health, conversion, and long-term value creation. Identify and prioritise white space opportunities in the UK, including new clients, capabilities, and partnership models. Pipeline & Commercial Execution Work with our lead generation team to build and lead a robust UK pipeline spanning new client acquisition and expansion within existing accounts. Oversee the full deal lifecycle: market mapping, executive outreach (managed by our lead generation team), solution development, negotiation, and close. Maintain rigorous forecasting, pipeline governance, and performance Consultative, Solution-Led Selling Engage senior UK stakeholders as a trusted advisor, using consultative selling to uncover needs and define opportunities. Partner cross-functionally to develop tailored, insight-driven solutions addressing key client challenges (e.g., customer acquisition, engagement, retention, and monetisation). Translate UK market insights into offerings that leverage the company's full suite of capabilities. Ecosystem & Network Leadership Build and maintain a senior-level network across UK clients, partners, and industry stakeholders. Position the company as a preferred strategic partner in the UK through relationship development and market presence. Identify and develop strategic alliances that expand capabilities and accelerate growth in the region. Cross-Functional Leadership & Execution Drive alignment with Product, Creative, Strategy, Account Management, Legal, Supply Chain, and Finance to deliver integrated solutions for UK clients. Support development of new products and partnership models informed by UK market demand. Ensure seamless execution from concept through launch, with clear measurement of business impact. Regional Leadership Serve as the senior business development representative for the UK, feeding market intelligence and priorities into the broader international strategy. Provide ongoing market intelligence and competitive insights on the UK landscape to inform innovation and go-to-market strategy. Build and mentor a business development team in the UK as the function scales. SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO HAVE 8-10+ years of progressive experience in business development, partnerships, or commercial leadership. Proven record of leading (and winning!) RFIs and RFPs. Proven track record of driving revenue growth and closing complex, high-value deals in the UK market. Strong network of senior-level relationships across relevant UK industries and partner ecosystems. Demonstrated success in structuring and negotiating multi-stakeholder agreements. Experience within marketing services, digital engagement, loyalty, or partnership-driven business models preferred. Track record of operating effectively within an international or matrixed organisation. And we’d love you to have Strategic thinking and commercial acumen Executive presence with ability to influence senior stakeholders Strong negotiation and deal structuring skills Relationship-building and network development Data-driven decision making and performance management Ability to operate within a matrixed international organisation Travel and Presence UK-focused role, with close collaboration with international and North America teams Willingness to spend 2 x day per week in London office and attend meetings as needed, with some UK travel possible depending on the client assignment and occasional international travel If you have any questions about the job, we are open to discussing this role further, so please feel free to get in touch. #LI-Hybrid