Business Development Manager

PA Media Group is the UK’s leading provider of trusted news, information and data services. For more than 150 years, we have played a central role in the UK media sector.

Hydrogen is our specialist marketing agency. The team helps organisations connect with their audiences through social media, content, creative campaigns and digital marketing.

Hydrogen sits within our wider PR and Marketing Services division, alongside Mediapoint and PA Media Assignments. This gives us access to a broad mix of content, insight, data and communications services.

About the opportunity

We are looking for a Business Development Manager to generate new business for Hydrogen and identify opportunities to introduce services from across the wider division.

You will work with prospective clients to understand their challenges, objectives and audiences. You will then bring the right specialists together to develop a tailored solution.

This is a consultative sales role. You will not follow a fixed product list or standard sales script. You will need to ask strong questions, think on your feet and turn client needs into clear and commercially sound proposals.

You will manage the full sales process, from prospecting and relationship building through to proposals, negotiation and conversion.

You can be based in either Glasgow or London. You will work alongside an established Business Development Manager and become part of both the central commercial team and Hydrogen’s agency team.

What you’ll be doing

• Identify and develop new business opportunities for Hydrogen
• Build relationships with prospective clients through targeted outreach, networking, events and referrals
• Meet clients to understand their business challenges, marketing objectives and commercial priorities
• Develop tailored proposals across social media, content, creative and digital marketing services
• Identify opportunities to cross-sell services from Mediapoint and PA Media Assignments
• Work with agency specialists to scope solutions, prepare proposals and respond to briefs
• Manage opportunities from initial contact through to negotiation and conversion
• Build and maintain a healthy pipeline using CRM data to support forecasting and activity planning
• Represent Hydrogen and the wider division at relevant industry events and meetings
• Share market feedback with internal teams to help shape future services and propositions

What we’re looking for

We are looking for a confident and resourceful business developer who can create opportunities without relying on a fixed product or established sales playbook.

You’ll bring:

• Experience generating and converting new business in a business-to-business environment
• A consultative approach, with the ability to identify client problems and develop suitable solutions
• Strong prospecting, relationship-building and negotiation skills
• Confidence engaging with senior marketing and communications decision-makers
• Experience managing the full sales cycle, including outreach, meetings, proposals and negotiation
• The ability to think quickly and adapt your approach during client conversations
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to turn ideas into clear client propositions
• The ability to work closely with delivery specialists and commercial colleagues

Experience selling agency, marketing, content, communications or digital services would be useful. Previous agency experience would be welcome, but we are open to candidates from other consultative sales backgrounds who can show a strong understanding of client-led solution selling.

Why join us?

• Join a growing agency with the backing and resources of PA Media Group
• Sell tailored marketing services based on each client’s needs
• Work across social media, content, creative, insight, data and communications
• Partner with an established Business Development Manager and an experienced agency team
• Take ownership of the full sales process and directly influence revenue growth
• Help shape how Hydrogen and the wider division approach new business
• Competitive salary with an uncapped performance-based bonus
• Hybrid and flexible working, with the option to be based in Glasgow or London
• 25 days’ holiday, with the option to buy additional days
• Enhanced family leave
• Life assurance at four times your salary
• Wellbeing and volunteering days to support you inside and outside work