Associate Director, Business Development

The Role

Were looking for an Associate Director of Business Development who operates like a founder thinks like a consultant and sells like a closer. This isnt a role where you push decks and hope for callbacks. Youll be the tip of the spearidentifying high-value growth opportunities architecting custom solutions across AI powered media creative and analytics and earning long-term partnerships with C-suite decision-makers. You are a face of the company our brand and our work.

What Youll Build & Own

• Run the full deal cycle from sourcing and qualification through pitch proposal negotiation and closewith C-suite buyers (CMOs CFOs Chief Growth Officers) not just marketing managers.
• Architect growth solutions that fuse paid media AI-powered optimization (Kanopy AI) creative strategy and emerging platforms like Reddit and GEO into integrated proposals that solve real business problems.
• Sell outcomes not line items. Every proposal you craft will include clear revenue roadmaps KPIs and measurable milestonesbecause we dont sell impressions we sell growth.
• Balance velocity with valuemanaging quick-turn project pitches alongside longer-lead higher-ACV partnership opportunities across our core verticals: B2B Technology & SaaS Media & Entertainment and Ecommerce.
• Collaborate with specialist operators across media data science creative and AI engineering to build solutions that are consultative differentiated and built to last.
• Shape our market position by contributing to thought leadership conference presence and industry conversations that establish Direct Agents as the go-to growth partner for ambitious brands.

Who You Are

• 57 years in digital media business development strategic sales or client growth leadershipideally within an agency consultancy or high-growth tech environment.
• A proven closer with a track record of winning six- and seven-figure engagements in paid media performance marketing or integrated digital solutions.
• Deep fluency in the modern growth stack: paid social SEM programmatic retail media CTV influencer creative versioning and AI-driven optimization.
• A consultative operator who can diagnose a clients growth challenge translate it into a strategic framework and own the room in a pitchnot just present slides but build conviction.
• Entrepreneurial and self-directedyou dont wait to be told what to do. You identify whitespace collaborate and build the plan and execute.
• Comfortable engaging at the C-suite level speaking the language of revenue LTV market share and business transformationnot just marketing metrics.

Who We Are

Direct Agents is not a traditional agency. We are an elite team of builders and operatorsgrowth strategistsmedia architects and creative thinkerswho partner with ambitious brands to drive measurable revenue growth. Backed by Kanopy AI our proprietary intelligence platform and exclusive partnerships with tech and media platforms we deliver the kind of unfair advantage that helps clients dominate not just compete.

We operate at the intersection of technology media and strategywhere AI meets human expertise to produce outcomes that neither can achieve alone. Our client roster includes brands like Tennis Channel Marvel NYSE Morgan Stanley Prologis and DistroKid.

What Sets Us Apart

Direct Agents isnt for everyoneand thats by design. Were building something different.

• Proprietary AI That Actually Works: Kanopy AI is our custom-built intelligence platformreal-time campaign optimization media mix modeling natural language analytics and algorithm enrichment that gives our clients (and our sellers) a genuine edge. This isnt a buzzword; its operational.
• Exclusive Platform Access: Direct partnerships across Google AI Search Meta TikTok Amazon Freewheel Teads Stackadapt and best in class tech and media partners.
• An Elite Not Bloated Team: 100 operators who move fast think deeply and ship work that matters. No layers of bureaucracy. Direct access to senior leadership and the executives building the strategy.
• AI Integration Across Everything: Claude ChatGPT and proprietary AI tools are embedded in our workflowsfrom data analysis and creative versioning to strategic planning and client intelligence.
• 7x Crains Best Places to Work: A people-first culture with a 12-month average time to promotion a 4-day workweek and genuine investment in career development.
• Certified Minority-Owned Business: 48% BIPOC representation across the agency 60% female representationa team that reflects the diverse markets we serve.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary of $110000 - $125000 depending on experience plus performance-based bonus structure
• Regular performance reviews with quarterly growth path check-ins
• Comprehensive health dental vision and mental health benefits (One Medical Talkspace KindBody Health Advocate)
• 1524 days PTO/year depending on seniority plus birthday off 7 sick/safe days and up to 12 weeks paid parental leave
• New MacBook Pro and access to cutting-edge AI tools across the agency
• Sun-drenched penthouse Acceleration Hub on 5th Avenue in Flatironwith commuter benefits and Citibike membership
• Dog-friendly office regular team events (Field Day Ski Club Golf League holiday celebrations) and a culture built around ownership and ambition

Location: This role is based at our NYC headquarters. You must reside or be willing to relocate within commuting distance.

If youre ready to help build the future of growth marketingwhere AI media and creative converge to drive real business outcomeswe want to talk.

Apply today. Lets build something that matters.

Please be aware of fraudulent recruiters and scams. If you move forward in our recruitment process you will only be contacted by the Direct Agents HR team. Questions Email