Head of Business Development

Head Of Business Development

RP3 is where wildly original ideas create outsized business results. We're an independent agency built for brands that want to punch above their weight—and win. We believe the difference between being considered and being chosen comes down to the conversation and the confidence behind it.

That's where you come in. We're looking for a Head of Business Development to help shape the next chapter of RP3 - someone who knows how to open the right doors, build meaningful relationships, and turn early momentum into lasting partnerships. This is a leadership role at the center of the agency, working closely with the CEO and leadership team to define where we play, how we show up, and how we grow. Some days you're creating opportunities that didn't exist before. Other days you're closing the ones that matter most. Every day, you're building something bigger.

What You Will Do

• Define and drive the agency's growth strategy in partnership with the CEO and leadership team
• Build relationships with senior marketers, decision-makers, and partners across priority categories
• Create and lead proactive outreach that generates meaningful, qualified opportunities
• Shape opportunities early, often before they become formal briefs or RFPs
• Lead pitch strategy, narratives, and presentations that win business
• Lead RFP responses and proposals—ensuring every submission is clear, compelling, and built to win
• Collaborate with strategy, creative, and media teams to bring ideas to life in the room
• Close new business and build partnerships designed to grow over time
• Partner with marketing and strategy leadership to align what we say with what we sell
• Bring market perspective back into the agency to inform positioning, offerings, and thought leadership
• Identify emerging client needs and market shifts—and help shape new offerings in response
• Operate with focus, ownership, and strong judgment in a fast-moving environment

Build What's Next

The market is changing and we're evolving with it. Clients are asking for more flexible, project-based engagements. In-house teams are growing. AI is reshaping how work gets done. We're building new ways to respond, from sprint-based models to content lab offerings to more integrated, AI-enabled solutions.

This role isn't just about selling what exists. It's about helping define what comes next. You'll partner with leadership to identify opportunities, shape offerings, and bring new ideas to market in a way that's both creatively strong and commercially viable.

Who You Are

· You're in the business of building belief.

· You care about the relationship behind the opportunity, the story behind the pitch, and the trust behind the decision.

· You know how to navigate complexity, read a room, and move conversations forward with confidence.

You also:

· Are strategic, connected, and low ego

· Bring a strong point of view and know how to use it

· Balance persistence with judgment. You know when to push and when to walk away

· Are as comfortable in early conversations as you are in high-stakes presentations

· Understand how ideas, strategy, and storytelling come together to win

· Stay plugged into the industry, the work, and where things are headed

· Take ownership of outcomes—not just activity

What Distinguishes Us

We're building a different kind of agency. One where strategy, creative and media work together from the start. Where ideas are designed to travel and perform. Where the work stands out because it actually means something. And where the right person can have an outsized impact on what comes next.

How We Set You Up to Win

You won't be building this alone, but you will help shape it. Growth at RP3 is a leadership priority, with active involvement from senior leaders across Strategy, Creative, Media, Account, and the CEO.

We're building a more intentional, connected marketing and growth engine. The foundation is in place, but it's not fully realized yet, which is exactly why this role matters.

You'll have:

· Direct access to and partnership with the full leadership team

· A strong creative and strategy bench to develop ideas that win

· A dedicated marketing/BD manager to support execution across content, outreach, and operations

· External partners, including a retained PR firm and fractional SEO/AEO support

· A developing marketing roadmap spanning thought leadership, events, website evolution, case studies, and award submissions

· You'll play a key role in connecting and evolving these pieces—ensuring what we put into the market translates into real momentum and growth.

Requirements

What You Will Bring

· Experience and a track record of generating and closing meaningful new business within an agency environment

· Experience building relationships with senior clients and decision-makers

· A strong understanding of creative, media, and integrated marketing

· Confidence shaping pursuits and leading teams through the pitch and proposal

Process

· Comfort working across tools like Google Workspace and Microsoft

· Experience with ActiveCampaign or similar CRM platforms

· Fluency with AI tools as a way to move faster and think more expansively

Requirements

· 10+ years of experience in business development, growth, or senior client leadership

· Experience within an advertising, marketing, or communications agency

· Experience working on a senior leadership team

· Knowledge of the full-service advertising agency product – from promise to delivery

· Proven ability to generate pipeline and close deals

· Doctoral level communication, empathy, presentation, and relationship-building skills

· Ability to operate independently while collaborating across teams

· A mindset of low ego, high standards, and real accountability

Position and Hours This is a full-time position requiring strong leadership, accountability, and adaptability. Occasional flexibility may be required to support agency and client needs.

Why RP3?

Here's what we offer:

• Hybrid flexibility - RP3 is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, so if you are DMV-based, that is definitely a bonus — but not a barrier. If you can get here by train, plane, or automobile, you are in the running. We want the right person, wherever they are.
• A culture built on curiosity, kindness, accountability, and wildly original thinking
• Company-paid health, life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance
• Employee-paid dental and vision plans
• 401(k) with immediate employer match
• Inclusive, world-class family leave policy
• Generous PTO - including Annual Leave, Sick Leave, Paid Holidays, Personal Time, and Karma Days
• Summer Fridays - we shut down at 2 PM every Friday from Memorial Day to Labor Day
• Voluntary benefits including commuter benefits and pet insurance

Compensation Salary Range: 150,000+ Annual DOE, plus competitive bonus structure. We believe in paying people fairly and transparently. Final compensation will reflect individual experience, qualifications, and internal equity considerations

Equal Opportunity Employer RP3 is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the clients and communities we serve. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Different perspectives make better work.

Salary Description 150,000+