Business Development Lead

Cog Culture is not your typical advertising agency. Shocking, we know — most agencies say exactly that, right before pitching a  strategic partnership  that amounts to a retainer, a deck, and a handshake emoji. But stay with us. We're an award-winning, full-service marketing communications agency with a decade and a half of experience building brand narratives that actually move people — not just move the goalposts, the timeline, and eventually the blame.

What sets us apart isn't the trophy shelf. It's what's running underneath it. We're AI-native — and we mean that the way a fish means water, not the way a corporation means  digital transformation.  Artificial intelligence isn't a tool we picked up; it's the lens through which we think, build, and create. GenAI content workflows, intelligent campaign analytics, automation that earns its keep — at Cog Culture, AI isn't the support act.

It's the headliner, the venue, and the one who read the brief. This is a 0-to-1 opportunity. Not a sales role dressed up in BD clothing. We need someone who can walk into a room, read what's not being said, and walk out with a deal that didn't exist when they walked in — someone who builds pipelines the way we build campaigns: with intent, with intelligence, and with a genuine hunger to close.

The core voice and structure are preserved, but the final paragraph is reoriented around what a BD person does — relationship-building, deal-making, reading rooms — rather than shipping product. The tone stays sharp and self-aware to match the rest of the piece.

A B O U T T H E R O L E
We are seeking an exceptional Business Development Lead — Media (Advertising) to spearhead commercial growth for our agency. This is a rare opportunity for a seasoned industry leader with 10– 25 years of deep expertise in media, advertising, and agency business development to drive transformational revenue outcomes, own large-scale client relationships, and shape the agency's longterm growth strategy. As the BD Lead, you will be the commercial face of the agency — commanding boardroom conversations, forging high-value partnerships, and building a formidable pipeline of integrated media mandates across digital, traditional, and emerging channels.

You will lead, mentor, and scale a high performing BD team, and collaborate directly with the CEO and senior leadership to define market positioning and new revenue streams.  This role is not for someone who manages a funnel — it's for someone who builds markets.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Business Development & Revenue Leadership

• Own and drive the agency's annual revenue targets across all media and advertising verticals — digital, programmatic, OOH, broadcast, print, and integrated campaigns.

• Define and execute a comprehensive BD strategy aligned with agency growth goals, market trends, and competitive landscape.

• Build and manage a multi-crore pipeline of new business opportunities across sectors including FMCG, BFSI, technology, e-commerce, and B2B enterprises.

• Lead agency-wide pitch strategy — from prospecting and brief response through to final board level presentations and contract closure.

• Identify and pursue white-space opportunities: new geographies, untapped verticals, and emerging media formats. Senior Client Acquisition & C-Suite Relationship Management

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with CMOs, VPs of Marketing, Brand Directors, and Procurement heads at Fortune 500 and large domestic enterprises.

• Lead high-stakes commercial negotiations, framework agreements, and multi-year retainer mandates.

• Act as the senior-most client escalation point during new business onboarding, ensuring seamless transition to Account and Delivery teams.

• Maintain a personal network of senior brand-side and media-side contacts built over years in the industry. Media & Advertising Mandate Leadership

• Develop and position tailored, ROI-driven media solutions — spanning brand strategy, performance marketing, content, experiential, and data/analytics services.

• Partner with internal strategy, planning, and creative leaders to craft winning responses for large integrated media pitches.

• Stay ahead of…