People Experience (PX) & Operations Specialist | Building engaging, inclusive and high-performing workplaces

Job Title: Business Director

Department: Client Services

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

Hours: Full time, permanent

Location: Manchester. We operate a Hybrid working policy of minimum 3 days in Manchester HQ per week.

THE ROLE

As a Business Director, you will serve as a senior leader within the agency, driving client success, contributing to the strategic direction of the business, and leading cross-functional teams. This role requires an exceptional combination of commercial acumen, leadership experience, and deep industry knowledge. You will be responsible for strengthening client relationships, unlocking new growth opportunities, and ensuring the agency delivers outstanding creative work that resonates with fans.

You will also be part of the Commercial Leadership team, responsible for forecasting and delivering against personal targets.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as a trusted senior advisor to key clients, offering strategic counsel to solve their business challenges.
• Lead strategic conversations at the highest levels, ensuring client partnerships are built on long-term collaboration.
• Identify and unlock opportunities for account growth, expanding our role across client businesses.
• Collaborate with strategy, creative, and production leads to deliver outstanding integrated campaigns.
• Represent the agency as a thought leader, demonstrating category expertise in sport, gaming, and entertainment.
• Having a broader, cross-agency view. Focus on driving agency growth, leading key client relationships, and contributing to overall business strategy. Often involved in shaping the agency's market positioning.
• As a member of the Commercial Leadership team, you will be driven by commercial success, with the responsibility of delivering against personal financial targets.
• Own the commercial performance of key client accounts, ensuring profitability and sustainable growth.
• Develop and oversee account plans with clear financial objectives, including revenue growth, margin management, and resource planning.
• Drive proactive financial forecasting, identifying opportunities to optimise revenue streams.
• Lead negotiations with clients, ensuring the agency is appropriately valued for its expertise.

Strategic & Creative Excellence:

• Champion a culture of insight-led creativity, ensuring work is informed by Fan Intelligence.
• Collaborate closely with Strategy and Creative Directors to ensure campaigns are culturally relevant and commercially impactful.
• Maintain an expert understanding of the evolving sports and entertainment landscape, providing proactive recommendations to clients.

Leadership & Team Development:

• Lead and mentor account teams, empowering them to deliver outstanding client service and personal growth.
• Foster a high-performance, collaborative culture within the agency.
• Provide clear, inspiring leadership across cross-functional teams to drive operational excellence.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Ideally 10+ years of experience in client services, account management, or business leadership within a creative, advertising, or marketing agency.
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to provide senior-level counsel to clients.
• Demonstrated track record of leading large-scale, integrated marketing campaigns.
• Excellent financial acumen with experience in budget management and revenue growth.
• Proven leadership skills with a passion for mentoring and developing high-performing teams.
• A deep understanding of the sports, gaming, and entertainment industries.
• Passion for culture and the ability to leverage cultural insights to drive brand success.

This is an opportunity for an ambitious, commercially minded leader who is passionate about the intersection of sport, gaming, and entertainment.

ABOUT THE AGENCY

Ear to the Ground is a global sport, gaming, and entertainment creative agency with a unique model that sets us apart. We are driven by Fan Intelligence, our global network of 11,000 influential tastemakers and fans.

BENEFITS

• Birthday off
• Enhanced sick leave
• Personal development coaching
• +more!