Group Director Business Development (Health)

VML Health is seeking a Group Director, Business Development (Health) to steer its North American growth agenda. Reporting to the Global New Business Lead, this high-visibility position shapes how health brands collaborate with VML through integrated marketing solutions and drives significant healthcare marketing growth. Based in New York, NY with a hybrid work arrangement, the role commands a salary range of USD 100,000 to 230,000 per year and calls for a seasoned leader with at least a decade of health-focused BD and strategy experience.

Responsibilities

• Implement the business development strategy by evaluating inbound opportunities, pursuing new prospects, and identifying organic growth within existing client relationships.
• Work across VML Health and WPP's global network to craft integrated, cross-capability solutions that address complex healthcare client challenges.
• Collaborate with Global Client Leads on integrated opportunities to maximize impact and alignment.
• Lead pitch teams as a strategic architect and deliver compelling presentations for health opportunities that win.
• Mentor junior team members within a high-performing growth group that emphasizes process discipline and creative problem solving.
• Oversee the development of pitch materials, credentials presentations, case studies, and capability demonstrations showcasing VML Health's integrated offerings.
• Adopt and evolve best practices for inbound opportunities, including vetting health clients, building win strategies, and maintaining financial oversight of pitch investments.
• Craft persuasive RFI/RFP responses that position VML Health effectively.
• Contribute to thought leadership content and initiatives that elevate VML Health's voice in the market.
• Track and report on the business development pipeline to inform strategy and decision-making.
• Utilize scalable processes, tools, and systems to enable efficient, high-quality pitch production and relationship management.
• Support the evolution of VML Health's business development infrastructure by sharing best practices and insights with the broader network.

Requirements

• 10+ years of business development and strategy experience in digital, integrated, or full-service agency environments, with a proven record of winning and growing major healthcare client relationships.
• Demonstrated success leading complex, multi-stakeholder pitches and delivering new revenue growth.
• Deep understanding of modern marketing capabilities, including AI and technology integration, within a highly regulated healthcare environment.
• Familiarity with healthcare regulatory environments and their impact on marketing strategies and solution development.
• Exceptional executive presence and presentation skills, capable of translating complex solutions into clear client value for healthcare decision-makers.
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical abilities, with experience developing business cases, competitive positioning, and go-to-market strategies for health brands and products.
• Leadership experience in managing and developing business development talent, with a collaborative approach that builds trust across creative, strategy, and technology teams.
• Outstanding project management capabilities and the ability to thrive in fast-paced, high-pressure environments with tight deadlines.
• Experience navigating holding company structures and orchestrating cross-agency collaboration within the health sector.
• A deep understanding of key trends and challenges shaping the future of healthcare.