The Role in a Nutshell
Toaster is seeking a dynamic, commercially driven Business Development Director to spearhead our growth and elevate our brand presence across Southeast Asia (SEA). Operating at the intersection of Client Management, Business Development, and Marketing, this pivotal leadership role is designed for a strategic heavy-hitter who can simultaneously nurture high-value client relationships and aggressively hunt for new market opportunities.
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, INSEA, you will be responsible for driving regional revenue, championing Toaster's creative capabilities, and positioning the agency as a premier partner for top-tier brands in SEA.
What you'll be doing
1. New Business & Business Development
- Regional Growth Strategy: Develop and execute robust lead-generation and prospecting plans leveraging an established network of brand and corporate relationships across SEA.
- Pitch Leadership: Own the end-to-end management and delivery of RFIs and RFPs, acting as the strategic lead for major pitches and creative workshops.
- Pipeline & Reporting: Meticulously manage the regional sales pipeline, leveraging data and analytics to provide accurate monthly commercial performance reports and forecasts.
- Collateral Excellence: Oversee the development of world-class pitch collateral, case studies, and credential libraries that differentiate Toaster from competitors.
- Intermediary Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with search consultants, industry intermediaries, and procurement teams to ensure Toaster is top of mind for upcoming briefs.
- AI & Tech-Driven Pipeline: Actively identify and prospect brands looking to transform their marketing stack, pitching Toaster's bespoke AI creative services, automation tools, and tech-driven content solutions.
2. Client Management & Account Growth
- Strategic Relationship Building: Serve as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders, immersing yourself in their brands to unlock organic growth opportunities.
- Cross-Functional Orchestration: Expertly bridge the gap between clients and internal creative/client/stategy teams, ensuring flawless project delivery from brief to execution.
- Operational Excellence: Establish and optimise client workflows, manage deliverables/timeframes, and lead monthly or quarterly operational review meetings.
- Financial Accountability: Keep a laser focus on account profitability, health, and process adherence, proactively resolving and escalating complex issues with viable solutions.
- Rigorous Communication: Set the standard for client communication by delivering high-quality, tailored briefs, status reports, and post-meeting contact reports.
3. Marketing & Brand Profile
- SEA PR Strategy: Define and launch Toaster's targeted PR strategy for the SEA region to boost brand recall and thought leadership.
- Market Profile Elevation: Supercharge Toaster's corporate and leadership profiles in the region, aligning with global marketing and social media strategies.
- Industry Presence: Represent Toaster at key industry conferences, award shows, and networking events, gathering intelligence on market shifts and creative trends to feed back into the business.
What you'll bring
- Strategic & Commercial Acumen: Exceptional ability to analyse SEA market dynamics, identify whitespace opportunities, and convert them into profitable revenue streams.
- Masterful Negotiation: Proven track record of navigating complex procurement processes and closing high-value deals while protecting agency margins and fostering long-term partnerships.
- Regional Expertise & Global Mindset: Deep understanding of the cultural, economic, and business nuances across diverse SEA markets (e.g., Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines).
- Collaborative Leadership: A persuasive communicator who can inspire, motivate, and align cross-functional, multicultural, creative and production teams.
- Innovation & Creativity: A forward-thinking mindset capable of developing unique, data-driven value propositions that make Toaster stand out in a crowded market.
- Resilience & Agility: The adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving agency environment, turning ambiguity into strategic opportunity.
The Agency
Toaster is an award-winning independent creative agency built for the digital age. Born in London and now powered by a global collective in San Francisco and New Delhi, we've spent over a decade partnering with the world's most ambitious brands including Google, Samsung, and YouTube to turn what if into what's next.
We don't just hire for skill; we hire for perspective. We believe that a team reflecting the world's diversity is our greatest creative engine. Here, you're encouraged to push boundaries, challenge the status quo, and most importantly be yourself.
Ready to build something iconic We're looking for unique talents from all walks of life. If you need any accommodations during the application process, our People team is here to help.
