Director Business Development – Global Public Affairs

About FGS Global

FGS Global is the world's leading stakeholder strategy firm, with approximately 1,500 professionals in over 30 offices worldwide, advising clients in navigating critical policy issues and reputational challenges. Formed from the combination of Finsbury, The Glover Park Group, Hering Schuppener and Sard Verbinnen & Co, FGS provides board‑level and C‑suite counsel across all aspects of stakeholder strategy — including corporate reputation, crisis management, and public affairs — and is the leading force in transaction and financial communications worldwide.

Position Overview

FGS Global is seeking to hire a Director Business Development to support both the European Growth team and the Global Public Affairs (GPA) Practice. Based in one of our European offices, this newly‑created Director‑level role is designed to help implement GPA's five‑year growth strategy while supporting the firm's broader European business development agenda.

The successful candidate will work closely with GPA leadership, the European Growth team, and regional business development colleagues to design, execute, and deliver strategies that translate into measurable growth. This position is ideal for a strategic, collaborative, and entrepreneurial professional who thrives in a dynamic global environment.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development Strategy:

• Define and align business development priorities and relationship-building strategies with GPA leadership and the European Growth team.
• Identify greenfield and brownfield opportunities based on growth and revenue targets.
• Develop systematic outreach strategies across Europe and globally.
• Lead opportunity identification, qualification, and pipeline tracking.
• Conduct competitor benchmarking and market analyses.
• Support thought leadership and horizon scanning to position GPA at the forefront of the market (e.g. FGS Global Radar).
• Develop and implement 2‑4‑8 matrices to structure strategic growth planning and ensure consistent focus and measurement.
• Develop and maintain annual Client Growth Plans for key clients, collaborating with practice leaders and regional teams to align resources, milestones, and metrics.

Outreach & Engagement:

• Develop structured outreach programmes for existing and target clients.
• Identify profile-raising opportunities for GPA and European leadership, including speaking engagements and strategic partnerships.
• Help coordinate GPA and European leadership presence at key global conferences (e.g., WEF, MSC, Milken, UNGA).
• Collaborate with Marketing on events and campaigns to ensure brand consistency and quality delivery.

Tools & Processes:

• Leverage Microsoft Dynamics CRM for pipeline management, white-space analysis, and cross-serving opportunities.
• Track and manage relevant budgets and KPIs.
• Ensure all BD materials and credentials are current, consistent, and accessible across the firm.
• Assist GPA, European Growth, and other internal teams (Marketing, Internal Comms) to enhance cross-regional collaboration and business development excellence.
• Ensure go-to-market credentials and materials are sharp, consistent, and coordinated across regions.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in communications, policy, international relations, or related fields is a plus.

• 5–10 years of experience in business development within a leading communications, public affairs, or professional services firm.

• Proven ability to operate across markets and functions with a global mindset.

• Strong relationship management and strategic planning skills.

• Fluent written and spoken English; additional languages such as Dutch, German, or French are a plus.

• Excellent communication and presentation abilities.

• Entrepreneurial, self-starting attitude with comfort operating in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.

• High levels of professionalism, integrity, and discretion.

• Flexibility to work across time zones and travel internationally when required.

What We Offer

• A Director-level position within a dynamic, entrepreneurial growth function.
• The opportunity to shape the trajectory of both the Global GPA Practice and the European Growth agenda.
• A collaborative and inclusive environment within a global firm with ambitious growth plans.
• Competitive compensation and benefits.
• Hybrid working arrangements combining flexibility and teamwork.

About FGS Global

FGS Global has offices in Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Beijing, Berlin, Boston, Brussels, Calgary, Chicago, Dubai, Dublin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Houston, Kingston, London, Los Angeles, Munich, Paris, Riyadh, San Francisco, Shanghai, Singapore, South Florida, The Hague, Tokyo, Toronto, Vancouver, Washington D.C., and Zurich. The firm is headquartered in New York.

FGS Global is consistently ranked a Band 1 firm for Crisis & Risk Management, Litigation Support, and Public Affairs by Chambers & Partners.

You don't meet every single requirement? Don't worry about it Studies have shown that some groups, such as women or people of color, are less likely to apply for jobs if they don't meet all the requirements. At FGS Global, we strive to create a diverse, inclusive and authentic work environment. So if you're excited about this position and our company, but your previous work experience doesn't perfectly match every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. Maybe you are just the right candidate for this or another position.

We look forward to receiving your application. Please enclose a cover letter, a current CV and relevant certificates and references. Do you have any further questions about the job, FGS Global or anything else? Then let's talk Please contact our HR team via email to careers-