Business Development Director

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We’re looking for a high-energy Business Development Director who is equal parts strategist, storyteller, and ringleader to join the team at 500 Degrees. You’ll bring a hunter’s mindset and a builder’s touch, driving growth with both precision and passion. This role is for someone who loves the chase as much as the close, thrives on momentum, and knows how to turn a spark of opportunity into a winning pitch.

This role is a hybrid role and based out of our Columbus, Ohio office

As the bridge between leadership and pitch teams, you’ll shape narratives that stick, steer efforts from RFI to RFP to final handshake, and keep the process as inspiring as the ideas themselves. The ideal candidate pairs business savvy with creative empathy – comfortable structuring pitch timelines one moment and storytelling the next. You bring rigor, curiosity, and calm to the chaos of pitching, ensuring every pursuit feels purposeful, every team feels supported, and every story lands with impact.

What You’ll Do

• Lead new business efforts including driving pitch strategy, shaping standout pitches, and pushing momentum forward at every stage.
• Work with key leaders to own and drive the end-to-end pitch process, from RFIs and RFPs to narrative development, team coordination, and final delivery.
• Collaborate with senior leaders to build and activate targeted prospecting plans.
• Align executive stakeholders across the agency to ensure every pitch tells a compelling, unified story.
• Partner with the SVP, Director of Growth Lead to maintain pitch timelines, expectations, and communications.
• Write and refine persuasive RFI and RFP responses that reflect our voice, vision, and value.
• Coach senior presenters to deliver with clarity, confidence, and energy.
• Ensure processes run smoothly with precision, hustle, and attention to detail adhering to deadlines in the complex RFI/RFP landscape.
• Demonstrate passion, adaptability, and a team-first mindset, especially when the pitch heat is on – win mentality.
• Contribute to agency positioning, marketing, and business development strategy in collaboration with the growth and marketing teams.

What You’ll Need

• 5+ years of experience in business development, agency growth, or strategic marketing preferably within a marketing, advertising, or integrated communications agency.
• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Proven track record of leading and supporting new business efforts, including RFIs, RFPs, pitch development, and client engagement – in a creative agency setting or professional services.
• Exceptional storytelling and communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling narratives and present with clarity, confidence, and persuasion – using a variety of mediums.
• Demonstration of strong writing skills and presentation skills (including PowerPoint and Keynote).
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with a history of coordinating cross-functional teams and meeting complex deadlines under pressure.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization and unify diverse voices into a cohesive message.
• High adaptability, resilience, and a team-first mindset, especially during high-stakes pitch scenarios.
• Strong professionalism and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to travel from time-to-time to support new business.

Seniority Level

• Director

Employment Type

• Full-time

Job Function

• Business Development

Industries

• Advertising Services and Marketing Services

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)

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Columbus, Ohio Metropolitan Area $150,000.00-$175,000.00