Business Director

About MessageSpace

MessageSpace is the UK's leading specialist media buying agency for political influence and reputation campaigns. We connect brands with the decision-makers that traditional media agencies cannot reach: parliamentarians, regulators, senior civil servants, C-suite executives, and the advisers who shape policy and markets.

Our client roster includes some of the world's most recognised brands, from Airbnb and McDonald's to EDF, Lloyds, and Visa. We combine exclusive publisher relationships, proprietary Westminster audience research, and a programmatic trading desk with targeted out-of-home, video, and connected TV capabilities. The result is full-spectrum campaigns that demonstrably shift opinion among the audiences that matter most.

The Opportunity

We are hiring a Business Director to take ownership of new business development and drive the next phase of MessageSpace's growth. This is a senior commercial role with a clear mandate: bring in new accounts and deepen our market presence in financial servicesmedia planning & buying.

You will report directly to the Managing Director and have the autonomy to shape your own pipeline, supported by an Account Manager and Account Executive. The role carries a competitive base salary with a generous, uncapped commission structure; for the right candidate, total on-target earnings will comfortably exceed £100,000.

This is the kind of opportunity that only comes from a profitable, growth-oriented agency with a start-up mentality and serious ambitions.

What You Will Do

Develop and execute a new business strategy that materially increases the number of key accounts across financial services

Leverage an established personal network of senior contacts to generate warm introductions and convert them into agency relationships

Build and present compelling, insight-led media proposals for B2B and B2G (business-to-government) campaigns spanning digital display, programmatic audio, OOH, print, video, and connected TV

Own the full commercial lifecycle from prospecting through to pitch, close, onboarding, and ongoing account growth

Meet and exceed quarterly and annual revenue targets for new business

Collaborate closely with the MessageSpace team to integrate our political and elite audience targeting capabilities into every proposal

Represent the agency at industry events, party conferences, parliamentary receptions, and networking opportunities where business is won

Contribute to the agency's broader strategic direction, identifying new market opportunities and shaping the service offering to meet them

Essential Requirements

The non-negotiable: you must have a minimum of 8 years' experience in media sales and/or media planning and buying, with a demonstrable track record of winning and managing significant client accounts. Equally important, you must bring an established, active network of senior industry contacts in financial services, people you can pick up the phone to and generate real opportunities.

Proven agency experience is essential; in-house marketing, corporate affairs, or government relations experience is a strong complement

Strong understanding of B2B, B2G, and brand campaign strategies, and how media buying fits within a broader influence or public affairs programme

Track record of successful business development with evidence of pipeline generation, conversion, and account growth

Experience creating and presenting cross-channel media plans to senior stakeholders

Strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial mindset and sharp commercial acumen

Exceptional communication, presentation, and relationship management skills

Self-starter who thrives with autonomy while collaborating effectively with a small, expert team

Direct experience advising or selling to clients in financial services (asset management, banking, insurance, fintech)

Existing client relationships that could translate into near-term pipeline for MessageSpace

Preferred Qualifications

Deep knowledge of the UK media landscape, including national newspapers, specialist political and financial publishers, and the growing role of partisan and digital-first outlets

Understanding of programmatic advertising, data-driven audience targeting, and how these complement traditional media buying

Experience operating in or alongside the EU policy landscape; Brussels and EU market exposure is highly valued

What We Offer

Competitive base salary plus a generous, uncapped performance-based commission structure delivering total on-target earnings in excess of £100,000 for the right candidate

Opportunity to build and lead a new business vertical with significant growth potential inside a profitable, well-established agency

Direct line to the Managing Director and a seat at the table in shaping the agency's commercial strategy

A platform to work with premium media environments: national newspapers, Politico, the Financial Times, The Spectator, New Statesman, PoliticsHome, and many more

A small, expert team (no bureaucracy, no committees) with deep domain knowledge in political and financial audience targeting

Central London office in Victoria, SW1

How to Apply

Please send your CV and a brief cover letter to hello@messagespace.co.uk explaining your relevant experience, the network you would bring, and why this opportunity interests you.

We are particularly interested in hearing about specific examples of business you have originated and relationships you have built in financial services or public affairs.

MessageSpace is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals.