Job Information
Advantage Solutions VP Growth in Chicago, Illinois
Summary
Vice President of Growth
Agency Background :
We are a NY based full-service brand activation agency, with a focus on experiential, sampling and field marketing, with 500 employees strong that drives consumer participation in brands by making them more daring, imaginative, and of the moment. We are part of the marketing arm of Advantage Solutions, a newly listed public company with over $4B in revenue across 40 countries, which means we have an incredible amount of exposure and support to the brands we work with.
Sunflower Group, however, continues to be rooted in our home-grown agency start-up mentality, where Culture is a major part of our secret sauce. And with a highly collaborative team engrained with an entrepreneurial spirit, we have passion for everything we set out to do. Minds wide open, we are a collection of blue-sky thinkers, strategists and down-to-earth doers, creating moments that elicit emotion, drive action and impact business.
Take this opportunity to join an award-winning brand activation agency and build your career working with amazing people in a growing industry!
What we offer:
Virtual and collaborative work environment with all the technology support you need to do your job
Access to 100’s of CPG companies within our Advantage sales and brokerage organization
Close partnership with a senior new business minded Senior Leadership Team
Matching 401K
Competitive benefits
Employee-activated culture driven from the top down
Unlimited vacation policy – we work hard but we play hard – family is a focus
Position Summary: VP Growth (Business Development)
The VP, Growth (business development) is responsible for supporting business development for Sunflower Group from lead generation, proposal development, pursuit engagement and pitch management. This new business leader will be responsible for driving both internal Advantage sourced and external active pitches efficiently and effectively. In this role, you will quarterback each pitch, responsible for managing every moving part from start to finish.
The VP, Growth (business development) works directly with senior agency leadership to develop agency marketing strategy and tactics. They will partner with across agency disciplines - client services, strategy, creative, production, social, and analysts to drive agency growth initiatives.
General Responsibilities
Lead the agency’s business development capability to achieve growth targets reporting directly to Agency President
Drive lead-generation and new business conversion
Build and develop and active new business pipeline
Leverage agency subject matter experts to respond to key opportunities, helping to cast and harmonize pitch teams
Play an active, external-facing role in the broader market/industry as a thought leader to elevate our brand in generate leads
Create and manage CRM outbound campaigns utilizing Hubspot
Collaborate with agency leadership to develop content marketing, case studies, and marketing strategies to promote our brand, value proposition and competitive positioning
Filter and qualify inbound new business leads, crafting appropriate response strategy and agency investment
Develop RFPs/RFIs and presentations that tell a compelling narrative to clearly articulate our value proposition and what sets our brand apart.
Develop and maintain the assets/collateral, case study library, pitch presentations, content calendar, and marketing campaigns
Engage search consultants to fuel the new business pipeline, utilizing and expanding an existing network of contacts within the industry
Partner across the Advantage Marketing Partners network on key new business opportunities
Understand the current marketplace to ensure our service offerings remain relevant and aligned with emerging trends and market demands
Using best practices, drive a new business process and plan that fosters creativity and integration
Collaborate with internal teams to develop SOW’s, MSA’s and contracts
Identify and manage industry relevant awards and related submissions
Work in tandem with our VP social team leader to drive culture and industry reputation
Supervisory Responsibilities
Indirect Reports
- Does not have direct reports, but may delegate work of others and provide guidance, direction and mentoring to indirect reports
Travel Requirements – up to 20% of your time
Minimum Education Qualifications
Education Level: (Required): Bachelor's Degree
5+ years’ experience in team management (of direct and indirect reports)
7-10 years of experience in management/leadership in creative agency development role
Position Qualifications
Previous experience leading business development in advertising, experiential, public relations, marketing communications, or a related professional services industry (Agency experience is preferred).
Well-organized, detail-oriented, and able to handle a fast-paced work environment
Track record of achieving growth targets and new business quotas
Proven ability to write compelling business development plans and content (RFP, RFI’s, presentations)
Integrated marketing experience across experiential and content marketing, CRM, field marketing, digital and social
Ability to multitask and manage multiple opportunities at the same time
Strong deck writing and presentation skills and the ability to apply them in a range of presentation settings
Exceptional attention to detail in all written work and content
Collaborative, team player with a positive attitude
Creative and strategic thinker
Ability to build relationships at all levels internally and externally, and sell ideas and a suite of services
Understanding of brands and how to activate them to engage, convert and retain consumers
Strong computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, and web-browsers
Additional Information Regarding Advantage Job Duties and Job Descriptions
Job duties include additional responsibilities as assigned by one’s supervisor or other manager related to the position/department.This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. Advantage reserves the right at any time with or without notice to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job position or assign additional job responsibilities, subject to applicable law. Advantage shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable a qualified applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.
Responsibilities
The Company is one of North America’s leading sales and marketing agencies specializing in outsourced sales, merchandising, category management and marketing services to manufacturers, suppliers and producers of food products and consumer packaged goods. The company services a variety of trade channels including grocery, mass merchandise, specialty, convenience, drug, dollar, club, hardware, consumer electronics and home centers. We bridge the gap between manufacturers and retailers, providing consumers access to the best products available in the marketplace today.
Position Summary
The VP Business Development is responsible for the development, management, oversight, and evaluation of Company’s business development functions for retailer. Contributes to team management, performance management, strategic planning, budgeting and forecasting initiatives, and systems initiatives, in addition to problem solving and process development for the department. Main focus is to create new business and penetrate retailer at all levels.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
Strategic Plan
Develop and define the go-to-market strategy for the retail team, including but not limited to product and service portfolio strategy, pricing strategy and retail business strategy
Create and develop executable programs, materials, and processes that are driven by market and business insights
Measure and evaluate strategic implementation against intended results. Results will be attained through effective execution against business development and business performance goals
Business Development
Evaluate performance to determine if organizational capabilities are competitive and relevant with regard to customer and competitor trends in the industry
Customize the go-to-market strategy for strategic clients, retailer and segments
Oversee, sale, and support the launch of new merchandising products, programs and processes at the initial point of customer interface; including the generation of new business leads
Responsible for delivering measureable results within Company’s organization that lead to new business development and executionfor our clients
Supervisory Responsibilities
Direct Reports
Hires, retains, trains, coaches, guides, directs, and develops direct reports using company-wide processes, tools and resources
Indirect Reports
May delegate work of others and provide guidance, direction and mentoring to indirect reports
Travel and/or Driving Requirements
Travel and Driving are essential duties and function of this job
Travel up to 20%
Minimum Qualifications
Education Level: (Required): Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
Field of Study/Area of Experience: Business Administration or Marketing preferred
5+ years of experience in team management (of direct and indirect reports)
7-10 years of experience in management/leadership in a retail sales management and business development role
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
Well-organized, detail-oriented, and able to handle a fast-paced work environment
Ability to work effectively with management
Ability to visualize and plan objectives and goals strategically
Ability to gather data, to compile information, and prepare reports
Ability to develop strategic plans to grow the business
Good interpersonal skills
Team building Skills
Excellent customer service orientation
Excellent written communication and verbal communication skills
Ability to direct, lead, coach, and develop people
Ability to complete multiple duties with accuracy shifting from one to another with frequent interruptions and competing deadlines
Strong computer skills including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, and web-browsers
Environmental & Physical Requirements
Office / Non-Sedentary Requirements
Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the job. Work may be performed in an office or warehouse environment. Typically requires the ability to spend 66%+ hours each work day doing the following activities: stand for extended periods of time, walk, bend, stoop, or climb. May have possible exposure to dust, and may require the ability to lift and/or push up to 50 pounds33% - 66% of the time.
Additional Information Regarding The Company Job Duties and Job Descriptions
Job duties include additional responsibilities as assigned by one’s supervisor or other manager related to the position/department. This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. The Company reserves the right at any time with or without notice to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job position or assign additional job responsibilities, subject to applicable law. The Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable a qualified applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.
description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. The Company reserves the right at any time with or without notice to alter or change job responsibilities, reassign or transfer job position or assign additional job responsibilities, subject to applicable law. The company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable a qualified applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.
Important Information
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of associates so classified.
The Company is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment practices without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, physical or mental disability, or any other category protected by law. As part of this commitment, the Company shall provide reasonable accommodations of known disabilities to enable an applicant or employee to apply for employment, perform the essential functions of the job, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment as required by the law.
Job Locations US-IL-Chicago
Primary Posting Location : City Chicago
Primary Posting Location : State/Province IL
Primary Posting Location : Postal Code 60601
Primary Posting Location : Country US
Requisition ID 2022-425267
Position Type Full Time
Category Business Development