Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer

Grant Thornton

Job Purpose

The Chief Marketing & Growth (Business Development) Officer is the executive accountable for translating the firm’s strategy into a focused market and growth agenda. The role leads the integrated brand, marketing, communications, client experience and business development functions in support of the firm’s strategic growth objectives.

The role builds market authority in agreed priority industries and services; identifies and secures new business opportunities, strengthens client and stakeholder relationships, enhancing the firm's market presence, and positioning the firm as a leading professional services firm. Working closely with Executive Leadership, Directors, Service Lines, Regions, and key stakeholders, the role ensures that all marketing and business development activities are strategically aligned, effectively delivered, measurable, and contribute to revenue growth and market expansion

Strategic Marketing and Brand Management

Serve as a member of the Executive Committee and act as a strategic adviser to the Chief Executive Officer and firm leadership on brand, reputation, client growth and market opportunity.
Develop and execute an integrated marketing and business development strategy aligned to Vision 2030, the firm's corporate strategy, Grant Thornton network priorities and the agreed growth agenda.
Translate strategy into an annual portfolio of prioritised initiatives, budgets, accountabilities and measurable commercial and brand outcomes.
Develop and execute stakeholder engagement and communications plans.
Conduct ongoing market, industry, and competitor research to identify opportunities for differentiation, business growth, and market expansion.
Strengthen and protect the firm's brand identity across all relevant platforms and touchpoints.
Maintain and further develop brand guidelines and brand application standards.
Ensure consistent application of the Corporate Identity Manual and brand standards across the firm.
Understand the firm's business operations, service offerings, competitive landscape, market opportunities, and business trends to improve service delivery and profitability.
Introduce and implement innovative short- and long-term business growth initiatives.
Provide strategic advice and recommendations to Executive Leadership on market positioning, client acquisition, business development, and growth opportunities.
Develop and monitor annual marketing and business development strategies, objectives, budgets, and performance measures aligned to the firm's overall growth strategy.
Maintain a disciplined market-intelligence capability covering client needs, competitors, industry trends, regulation and emerging opportunities, and use the evidence to advise where the firm should play and how it should win.

Thought Leadership and Market Authority

Foster and support a culture of thought leadership across the firm.
Build an industry-led thought leadership agenda that demonstrates the firm's expertise, differentiates its point of view and creates access to priority decision-makers.
Initiate and execute firm-wide marketing, business development, and thought leadership initiatives, including relevant network initiatives.
Identify, package and promote the firm's intellectual capital, client insight and specialist expertise in forms that are useful to clients and commercially relevant.
Oversee the development of marketing collateral and content, including website content, social media, brochures, presentations, proposals, and other brand assets.
Lead the development of content that supports client engagement, market positioning, lead generation, and business development objectives.
Drive awareness and visibility of the firm's expertise through industry publications, speaking engagements, webinars, events, and networking opportunities.

Campaigns and Digital Marketing

Lead integrated marketing and communications campaigns from concept to execution.
Utilise relevant marketing tools and platforms to support campaign execution and performance.
Monitor campaign KPIs to assess performance, support lead generation, and measure marketing impact.
Contribute to integrated marketing initiatives that enhance visibility, stakeholder engagement, and business development support.
Oversee digital marketing activities including website management, social media campaigns, email marketing, and marketing automation initiatives.
Ensure marketing campaigns support business development objectives, client acquisition, and revenue growth strategies.

Demand Generation and Account-Based Marketing

Own the firm's digital marketing ecosystem, including the website, search visibility, social media, email, marketing automation, digital content and appropriate use of paid media.
Lead demand generation initiatives that build market visibility, deepen engagement with priority audiences, and contribute to lead generation and business development objectives.
Develop and oversee the firm's business development pipeline by identifying, evaluating, and pursuing new business opportunities, strategic partnerships, and market expansion initiatives.
Work with Executive Leadership, Directors, and Service Line Leaders to support targeted marketing and business development activities for priority accounts, sectors, and service lines.
Lead account-based marketing initiatives and campaign follow-through by developing relevant content, communications, engagement material, and pursuit strategies for key opportunities.
Coordinate sales opportunity meetings arising from leads, marketing campaigns, client engagements, and panel opportunities.
Drive client acquisition, retention, cross-selling, and upselling initiatives across the firm.
Monitor and report on business development activities, pipeline performance, and conversion metrics.

Stakeholder, Service Line and Regional Support

Support service lines and regions in planning and executing marketing, communications, and business development campaigns and strategic projects.
Support other divisions within the firm with marketing, communications, and business development-related projects, including Graduate Recruitment, Talent Acquisition, Advisory, Assurance, social media, and events.
Manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including relevant network stakeholders.
Work with firm leadership to align marketing and business development initiatives to key strategic priorities, service lines, regions, and growth areas.
Liaise with key clients, staff, suppliers, and strategic partners to strengthen relationships and identify opportunities for growth.
Facilitate engagement with panels, procurement structures, and supplier databases to maximise access to business opportunities.
Develop executive relationships, alumni, referral and client-community programmes that deepen trust, extend access and create long-term value.

Team, Budget and Operational Management

Lead and manage the Marketing, Studio, and Business Development teams, ensuring alignment with the firm's strategic objectives.
Manage the marketing and business development budget and track spend against agreed priorities.
Centralise, manage, and approve design, creative, marketing, and business development projects.
Ensure effective coordination, prioritisation, and delivery of marketing and business development initiatives across the firm.
Provide strategic oversight of business development operations, tender management processes, and pursuit governance delegating day-to-day execution to a dedicated BD operations or bid manager reporting into this role, to ensure effective execution and compliance
Ensure appropriate governance controls are in place for the management and maintenance of business development, compliance, and tender-related documentation.
Ensure the firm is registered and maintained on relevant procurement platforms, supplier databases, and tender portals.
Ensure effective processes are implemented to maintain the validity and accessibility of all business development and regulatory documentation.
Drive operational efficiencies, identify areas of wastage, and implement improvements that enhance business performance and profitability.

Experience

Minimum 7-10 years' experience in marketing, communications, business development, sales, or commercial leadership roles.
Minimum 4-5 years' experience in a senior management or executive leadership role.
Proven experience in developing and executing successful marketing and business development strategies.
Experience leading and managing cross-functional teams comprising marketing, communications, business development, proposal support, and creative professionals.
Experience working within a professional services environment would be preferable.
Strong track record of revenue growth, client acquisition, market expansion, and stakeholder management.
Advanced knowledge of digital marketing, brand management, business development, tender management, and strategic relationship management

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Management, Commerce, or any equivalent qualification.
Postgraduate qualification (Honours, MBA, Master’s degree, or equivalent) will be advantageous.
Professional certification in Marketing, Digital Marketing, Business Development, or Strategic Management will be advantageous.

Key Competencies

Strategic Marketing & Growth Leadership – Ability to develop and execute integrated marketing, brand, and business development strategies that drive sustainable growth.
Commercial Acumen – Strong understanding of revenue generation, market expansion, client acquisition, and business development opportunities.
Brand & Reputation Management – Proven ability to build, protect, and enhance brand value, market positioning, and corporate reputation.
Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management – Exceptional ability to influence and build trusted relationships with executives, clients, partners, and key stakeholders.
Digital Marketing & Demand Generation – Strong expertise in digital marketing, marketing automation, lead generation, account-based marketing, and campaign optimisation.
Leadership & Team Management – Demonstrated success in leading high-performing, cross-functional teams and driving a culture of accountability and excellence.
Strategic Thinking & Market Insight – Ability to leverage market intelligence, industry trends, and competitive analysis to identify opportunities and inform business decisions.