Business Director

We are an entrepreneurial business, not a traditional “ad agency.” That means we value resourcefulness and tenacity just as much as we value creativity and intelligence. We’re unapologetically ambitious!

We are looking for a Business Director to join Translation and help lead our growing Eli Lilly partnership, bringing culturally relevant creative work to life for brands that impact people’s health.

Position Summary

As a Business Director, you will serve as a strategic leader and trusted client partner across assigned Eli Lilly brands and workstreams. You will build a deep understanding of the client’s business, patient audiences, and category, translating those insights into clear direction and creative opportunities that connect brands with people in meaningful ways.

Working with the account’s Executive Director, you will lead client relationships, guide cross-functional teams, develop Business Leadership talent, and identify opportunities for growth. You will partner closely with Program Management on delivery and account financial health, balancing creative ambition with the rigor of a regulated category and the needs of a fast-growing business.

What You Will Do

Drive Business and Strategic Leadership

• Act as the day-to-day senior business lead across assigned Lilly brands and workstreams, building trusted relationships with mid-to-senior client stakeholders and proactively shaping the business agenda.
• Develop a strong understanding of brand priorities, patient experiences, barriers to engagement, and competitive dynamics to inform strategic counsel and creative development.
• Translate complex client needs and feedback into clear priorities and actionable direction, constructively challenging clients when needed to strengthen the work.
• Monitor relationship health and business performance, anticipating risks and partnering with the Executive Director to address issues before they affect the partnership.

Lead Creative Solutions with Business Impact

• Partner with Strategy, Context, Creative, and Analytics to develop culturally relevant work grounded in business objectives, audience insights, and clear measures of success.
• Champion communication that reflects real patient experiences and makes complex health topics understandable, empathetic, and relevant to everyday life.
• Ensure work is strategically sound and client-ready, with compelling rationale and alignment to client-provided medical, legal, and regulatory guidance.
• Work with Lilly’s brand teams, internal creative team, and agency partners to clarify roles, align recommendations, and maintain continuity across the work.
• Partner with Production and Program Management to bring approved concepts to life within agreed scope, timing, and budget, advocating for additional investment when warranted.

Lead Teams and Strengthen Partnerships

• Guide cross-functional teams with clear priorities, expectations, and decisions, creating a collaborative environment with shared accountability for the work.
• Lead, coach, and develop Business Supervisors and other assigned Business Leadership team members through regular feedback and meaningful development opportunities.
• Partner with Program Management, which leads operational planning and delivery, to align client expectations with scopes, schedules, staffing, and review requirements.
• Work with client stakeholders and Program Management to anticipate approval needs, consolidate feedback, and help teams understand review decisions and their implications.
• Navigate competing stakeholder needs and resolve day-to-day challenges independently, escalating significant relationship, commercial, or delivery risks appropriately.

Champion Growth and Financial Health

• Develop and action growth plans for assigned brands and workstreams, connecting unmet client needs with Translation’s capabilities.
• Co-own account financial health with Program Management, contributing to scope development, staffing recommendations, forecasting, and profitability management.
• Identify scope changes and investment needs early, leading clear client conversations about the associated fees, priorities, and trade-offs.
• Contribute to new business, recruiting, and departmental improvements that strengthen the agency and develop future Business Leadership talent.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Strong business judgment and strategic fluency, with the ability to learn complex categories and turn ambiguity into clear direction.
• Exceptional relationship-building and communication skills, including the confidence to advise clients, explain creative rationale, and navigate sensitive conversations.
• Ability to balance creative ambition with accuracy and client review requirements, partnering effectively with medical, legal, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Experience leading integrated campaigns across channels, with a strong understanding of creative development and production.
• Commercial acumen across scopes, staffing, budgets, and account performance, paired with a collaborative approach to Program Management.
• A proactive, hands-on leadership style, with sound prioritization, attention to detail, and the ability to develop others in a fast-moving environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• 7-10 years of experience in an agency or communications-related industry, with a well-rounded understanding of advertising, marketing, media, creative, production, and agency finance.
• Proven success managing integrated campaigns, partnering with mid-to-senior-level clients, and leading cross-functional teams.
• Hands-on production experience with large-scale, multi-channel initiatives.
• Experience coaching junior account team members and contributing to scope development, account financial management, and organic growth.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting pharmaceutical, healthcare, or other regulated brands, including familiarity with medical, legal, and regulatory review processes. Direct pharma experience is a plus, not a requirement; curiosity about the category and an eagerness to learn are valued.
• Experience with consumer-facing health communications, patient storytelling, or brand launches.
• Experience partnering with in-house creative teams and working within a multi-agency environment.
• Experience developing culturally relevant campaigns, including talent partnerships, social content, or experiential work.
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, or a related field.

Salary Hiring Range: $115,000 - $135,000

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