Business Director

Let's talk about you.

You love advertising. Others may find that a little odd, but you get stuck in, think about it, analyse it, are delighted by cultural references, and celebrate creativity. And you hate advertising. The noise, the waste, lazy thinking, the automated performance junk heaps, illogical UX and unambitious execution annoy you. That's already a good start.

You're looking for a job at the intersection of business, art and science. Where you find out every day how AI makes us better, not dumber. Teamwork is the sport, not solo combat. And where the idea is always bigger than the person behind it.

Sounds like you? Then ...

Let's talk about GREY.

In 1917 Lawrence “Larry” Valenstein founded a small studio on 5th Avenue. While every other agency nailed its founders' names to the wall, he named his after the colour of the wall: GREY. Because from the start the work should speak, not the ego. This principle still applies today, and it shows in the effectiveness of our work. That is why our promise to our clients is nothing less than: “Famously Effective, Everywhere, All The Time.”

Today we are part of WPP Creative and the Ogilvy Group, with the reach and resources of a global network. But we deliberately build something of our own: a boutique within this structure. Not the biggest agency. The fittest. Small enough to truly shape things. Big enough to truly make a difference.

For this we are looking for people who are as diverse as the challenges we solve. At GREY it doesn't matter where you come from, whom you love or how you identify, but your perspective, your skill and your hunger to do the best work together. Oh, and we have offices in Hamburg and Düsseldorf. But we work as one team, wherever you sit.

Let's talk about the role

As Business Director (m/w/d) in Hamburg or Düsseldorf you are a central pillar of our agency leadership. You are responsible for an entire client portfolio or a business unit strategically, operationally and financially. You are the trusted sparring partner at C-level and VP level for our clients, and you actively drive forward GREY's organic and new business.

You lead and inspire an interdisciplinary team of Account Directors and Account Managers, and work closely and at eye level with the leads from creative, strategy and production. This role requires outstanding entrepreneurial thinking, deep brand and industry understanding, and empathetic yet assertive leadership skills. You ensure that GREY not only meets expectations but continuously raises the standard for “Famously Effective” work.

What's involved (responsibilities)

• Strategic senior client consulting & business partnering: You build deep, long-term relationships at C-level and senior management level with our clients. You understand their business models, market opportunities and challenges in detail, and act as a proactive, strategic adviser who generates brand and business growth.
• Growth & new business: You proactively identify and develop organic growth potential within your portfolio. In addition, you play a leading role in the agency's new business pitches, from initial qualification through strategy development to the final presentation.
• P&L & financial responsibility: You carry overall responsibility for the profitability of your portfolio (revenue, margin, resource allocation). You negotiate complex annual contracts, framework agreements (SOWs) and fees in close coordination with the management board and the finance department.
• Inspiring leadership & talent development: You lead your account teams (including Account Directors) through line management and professional guidance. You foster a culture of trust, excellence and continuous learning. You are a mentor, conduct structured performance reviews and develop the leaders of tomorrow.
• Quality assurance & creative excellence: You create the optimal conditions for outstanding creative work and strategic innovation. You demand and promote visionary ideas and ensure that campaigns across all touchpoints (integrated from TV and digital to AI-supported formats) meet the highest standards of quality and effectiveness.
• Agency development: You work closely with the management to help shape GREY's strategic direction, optimise processes and strengthen the agency's positioning in the market.

What you bring

• Experience: At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in a leading creative, digital or strategy agency, including several years in a senior leadership role (e.g. as Senior Account Director or Group Account Director).
• Entrepreneurial & strategic mindset: You think like an entrepreneur, both for your clients and for GREY. You have a deep understanding of brand management in the digital age, market and consumer trends, and the economic levers of agencies.
• Track record in leadership & team development: Proven experience in the line management and development of larger, diverse teams, as well as the successful steering of complex matrix structures.
• Excellent communication & negotiation skills: Confident presence at board (C-level) level, strong negotiation skills for contracts and budgets, and the ability to present complex matters clearly, inspiringly and persuasively (in German and English).
• Pitch experience: Experience in successfully leading large, integrated new business pitches.
• Mindset: You are passionate about the best creative solution but never lose sight of commercial success. You are:
• Creative: You think strategically far ahead (“upstream”) and bring business and creative together to good effect.
• Entrepreneurial: You get things done, make bold decisions and take responsibility for numbers and people.
• Collaborative: You know that the best results come from teamwork, and you lead without ego.
• Future-oriented: You actively drive innovation (such as the use of AI in marketing).

What we offer:

• An agency in which strategic planning has been central since its founding. Not as a support function, but as a creative driving force.
• Access to all relevant AI tools, from LLMs and image models through to custom GPTs, agents and automation workflows.
• The chance to actively help build a boutique within a global network, with real room to shape things.

What else is in it for you:

• Location in Hamburg or Düsseldorf.
• Work from abroad: up to 45 days per year.
• 33 days of holiday.
• In Düsseldorf, a tasty, healthy canteen and café with decent Americano, Flat White, Chai Matcha Latte and sometimes even lemon tart ...
• In Hamburg, lots of great lunch spots around the agency and a sushi bowl delivery service in the building ...
• Employee offers for hundreds of brands.
• Contribution towards public transport tickets or bike leasing.
• Contribution and improved terms for Wellhub access to gyms, yoga, swimming, climbing, Headspace and many more.
• TELUS Employee Assistance Programme for counselling and crisis intervention.
• WPP learning platform “Future Readiness Academy”.
• Mentoring programme.

We believe in the power of diversity and collaboration. We can only meet the challenges of today's world together. We therefore commit to assessing applicants who are suitable for the job solely on their abilities and, in principle, regardless of age, gender, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability or religion.

Does this sound like an exciting challenge? Very good, your contact Kai Schlüter looks forward to your application!
For reasons of sustainability and data protection, we ask that application documents be sent to us exclusively via our applicant platform Greenhouse. We would be grateful if you could refrain from including a photo.