Role Summary and Impact 

As the Associate Director of Business Development (SME), you will be the driving force behind WPP Media’s growth in the high-potential Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector. You will hunt, pitch, and secure fast-growing, ambitious mid-market brands, translating WPP’s enterprise-grade media capabilities into agile, high-ROI, and scalable solutions.

This is a highly entrepreneurial role. You will lead end-to-end sales pitches, navigate shorter sales cycles, and build direct, high-impact relationships with SME founders, CMOs, and decision-makers, positioning WPP Media as their ultimate growth partner.

Reporting of the role 

Reports to the Director on the business. 

3 best things about the job: 

1. Entrepreneurial Ownership: Run your own portfolio. You will have the autonomy to identify high-growth SMEs, tailor bespoke media propositions, and directly impact WPP Media’s revenue pipeline.
2. Fast-Paced Impact: Unlike long enterprise pitch cycles, the SME space is fast, dynamic, and highly rewarding. You will see the direct impact of your won pitches on client business growth almost immediately.
3. Unrivaled Scale & Access: Enjoy a unique hybrid experience—operate with the agility of a boutique startup agency while leveraging the massive tech stack, proprietary tools, and global network of WPP.

Measures of success 

In three months, you would have: 

• Mastered WPP Media’s offerings and packaged them into highly compelling, simplified, and digestible propositions for SME prospects.
• Built a healthy, active pipeline of qualified SME prospects and initiated initial chemistry meetings.
• Collaborated with internal teams to build customized, agile pitch templates tailored for mid-market budgets.

In six months, you would have: 

• Led and closed your first set of SME pitches, meeting defined quarterly revenue targets.
• Demonstrated hands-on knowledge of how to scale WPP’s programmatic, search, and social offerings to suit SME budgets.

In 12 months, you would have: 

• Established WPP Media as a highly competitive player in the regional SME market.
• Independently led and converted a consistent stream of new business pitches, fostering a repeatable playbook for SME client acquisition.

Responsibilities of the role:

• Lead the Pitch Pipeline: Own the end-to-end business development lifecycle—from lead generation and qualification to chemistry meetings, RFP responses, and final pitch presentations.
• Consultative Selling: Deeply understand the unique pain points of SMEs (e.g., tight cash flows, need for immediate ROI, lean marketing teams) and consultatively pitch tailored, scalable media solutions.
• Simplify the Complex: Translate WPP's sophisticated, multi-channel media tools, data capabilities, and strategies into clear, actionable, and business-focused growth plans for SME stakeholders.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with planning, buying, and digital specialist teams to design agile, realistic media plans that respect SME budgets while maximizing business outcomes.
• Relationship Building: Anchor conversations and build high-trust, direct relationships with SME founders, business owners, and marketing directors.
• Market Intelligence: Keep a pulse on market trends, competitor agency offerings in the SME space, and emerging high-growth industries to proactively target.

Skills and Experience 

• Experience: Minimum of 6 years of experience in media planning, client servicing, or business development, with at least 1 year in a dedicated sales/BD or growth role. Experience pitching to or working with SMEs/mid-market brands is highly advantageous.
• SME Mindset: A strong understanding of performance marketing, direct-to-consumer (DTC) trends, local media activation, and how to drive immediate, measurable business growth.
• Superb Communicator: Excellent presentation, storytelling, and negotiation skills. You must be comfortable presenting to C-suite/Founder level prospects.
• Agility & Grit: A proactive, self-starter attitude with the resilience to navigate fast-moving sales pipelines and shorter turnarounds.
• Collaborative Spirit: A team player who can coordinate seamlessly with internal product and execution teams to deliver winning pitch responses.

Life at WPP Media & Benefits 

Our passion for shaping the next era of media includes investing in our employees to help them do their best work, and we’re just as committed to employee growth as we are to responsible media investment. WPP Media employees can tap into the global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, grow their networks, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising. We have a variety of employee resource groups and host frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our benefits include competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days.   

WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.