Business Development Director, Innovation

Location: London (hybrid), with travel to client sites/events as needed Reports to : Head of Business Development, Insights, UK. Contract: Permanent, full-time Comp: Includes an annual individual revenue target Live with clients (figuratively!) - Spend the majority of your time with prospects and strategic accounts-discovery, immersion sessions, and value led conversations that surface genuine Innovation problems, whether in early opportunity framing, concept development, validation, or portfolio optimisation. Own the top of the funnel - Map target accounts, run multi threaded outreach and build a qualified pipeline across priority sectors. You'll spark momentum and challenge incumbent agencies by articulating Kantar's Innovation advantage with clarity and depth. New logo and cross-sell growth. Shape, don't just sell - Translate ambiguous growth questions into crisp problem statements and credible Innovation pathways-linking business need to the right combination of early stage exploration, quant validation, creative development, claims, pack and launch optimisation. Partner to win - + With Innovation: co create proof points, shape methodology thinking, strengthen cases with data assets, and elevate our point of view using sector insight and Innovation best practice + With Opportunity Orchestration (Conversion & Programme Design): turn the narrative blueprint into a persuasive proposal, ensuring the story lands with both commercial sharpness and Innovation rigour. Bring Innovation advisory to every conversation Earn the right to challenge and guide senior sponsors-advising on risk, decision making, portfolio implications and internal sell in, grounded in a clear understanding of Innovation science and client realities. Make it easy to buy Create friction free buying experiences, from early qualification to commercial shape, pricing logic and smooth handover into delivery-while ensuring solution integrity and fit for purpose. Build our market presence Activate Innovation led thought leadership moments (roundtables, POVs, demos, client immersions) that open doors and signal the depth of our innovation expertise in the market.