Business Development Director

About Elmwood

We’re a globally recognised, award-winning strategic brand design consultancy with studios in London, New York, Singapore and Shanghai. Every day, we partner with some of the world’s most ambitious consumer, corporate, and healthcare brands to craft high-impact creative that moves people and markets.

Rooted in purpose and powered by creativity, our mission is simple: get our clients from intent to impact — faster.

As proud members of the MSQ Group and B Corp certified, we unite strategy, design, and experience to shape brands that are not only standout but stand FOR something.

This is a brand new, purpose-built department at Elmwood — and you’ll play a central role in shaping it.

As Elmwood enters a new 3-year growth phase following five years of significant expansion, the New Business & Marketing team will be the engine driving our strategic business development efforts. The department will define and deliver clear, intentional plans for growth — turning bold ambition into smart action.

From developing high-impact new business strategies to refining our market positioning and outreach, this team will set the pace for how Elmwood shows up in the world — with clarity, purpose and momentum.

As Business Development Director, your purpose is to fuel growth with intent — scaling Elmwood’s new business efforts as well as business growth through a strategic, sector-savvy, and creatively aligned approach.

You’ll take the lead in expanding our client base and service offering across our three core pillars: health, consumer, and B2B brand design. With an eye on long-term opportunity and short-term impact, you’ll shape and deliver a new business strategy that aligns with Elmwood’s future-first positioning, working closely with creative, strategy, and marketing teams to land high-value, high-impact partnerships.

You will be a strategic thinker and persuasive communicator who thrives on building meaningful client relationships. Working alongside our Marketing and Studio teams, you’ll amplify our brand promise – Branding with Intent – and bring it to life through intelligent, well-matched new business wins.

As Elmwood moves into its next phase of growth in FY25/26, you’ll also play a vital role in amplifying the scale and breadth of our MSQ network — helping us show the full strength of our collective capabilities while keeping Elmwood’s agility and strategic creativity at the forefront.

This role isn’t just about winning work — it’s a pivotal leadership role that will shape the future of the agency.

• Develop and implement a future-focused new business strategy aligned to Elmwood’s repositioning.
• Identify, assess and engage new prospects within our core sectors (consumer, corporate, healthcare).
• Attend and represent Elmwood at key industry events, establishing thought leadership and meaningful connections.

• Lead and orchestrate pitch processes from brief to delivery, ensuring creative and strategic excellence.
• Craft compelling proposals in collaboration with strategy and creative teams that demonstrate value, clarity, and momentum.
• Confidently present Elmwood’s story and proposition to C-suite decision-makers.

• Build long‑term partnerships with prospective clients rooted in trust, insight, and mutual ambition.
• Ensure a seamless handover of new business into client teams while maintaining oversight of strategic growth opportunities.

• Build relationships with our Global Growth team and local Studio leads to share plans and progress; supporting global cohesion.
• Partner with Marketing to develop content, campaigns, and initiatives that attract high-value prospects.

• Monitor pipeline health using our CRM system (Hub Spot).
• Analyse key metrics and performance against KPIs to optimise efforts and outcomes.
• Regularly report progress and insights to senior leadership.

• Passionate about building brands with purpose, clarity and measurable impact.
• Delivered consistent year-on-year revenue growth through new business acquisition.
• Pro…