Senior Business Development Director (Independent Agencies)

thetradedesk

New York

Posted Jun 2, 2026

Full-time
Hybrid
Direct Sales

Job description

The Trade Desk is a global technology company and the world’s leading independent platform for digital advertising, with nearly 4,000 employees across more than 30 offices. Our technology helps advertisers reach the right audiences across the open internet — from streaming TV and podcasts to mobile apps, news, and more.

Advertising powers the content people love. By making it more transparent, effective, and responsible, we help support trusted journalism, quality entertainment, and creators worldwide. The world’s brands and agencies rely on us to reach their customers and grow their businesses responsibly.

The scale of our platform brings unique technical challenges — from processing massive datasets in real time to building systems that operate reliably on a global scale. When you work here, your impact is worldwide. We welcome diverse perspectives, encourage curiosity, and build teams that learn from one another. If you’re driven to solve meaningful challenges, we’d love to meet you.

What you'll do:

Develop a vision and strategy for TTD’s business within the Business Development team, with a focus on top Independent agencies based on the agency’s strategic priorities, growth levers, and operating model.
Oversee and build upon relationships with senior leadership at dedicated Indy agencies.
Build and execute multi-year growth strategies for key independent agencies.
Run quarterly executive QBRs to track progress and identify acceleration opportunities with senior agency leadership.
Take the lead in structuring and negotiating large client commercial agreements.
Communicate the value of our media buying platform by walking through detailed demonstrations of the product.
Take lead in responding to RFPs or new inner agency opportunities, including qualification and win strategy.
Partner with TTD Advertiser teams on account health and expansion opportunities.
Build deep and lasting connections internally across The Trade Desk departments and specialty functions.
Deliver ongoing education through town halls, QBRs, workshops, and custom curriculums.
Build multi-level enablement plans for strategy, investment, analytics, and leadership teams.
Bring agencies into TTD events and help curate agency-specific programming.
Support agencies in winning new brand business with insights, audience strategies, and measurement frameworks.

Who you are:

We are looking for a commercially savvy, senior sales individual to grow and nurture key independent agency partnerships. You’ll need a proven track record of delivering results, building relationships, negotiating complex deals, and collaborating with other teams as you’ll be working with some of our most strategic partners.

Minimum experience of 10-15+ years.
Experience at an online publisher, ad network, ad exchange, ad server, SEM platform, DSP, or other online advertising role.
Deep experience in consultative selling specifically around SaaS/Enterprise, digital media, programmatic, and or custom technical solutions.
Experience establishing and maintaining longstanding, strategic client relationships.
Strong quantitative skills and negotiation capability, able to lead commercial negotiations for large agencies.
Strong communication skills with an ability to speak and influence C-level clients.
Passion for owning a room, closing deals, and getting wins.
Existing relationships with decision makers at major Independent agencies.
Proven track record of exceeding revenue expectations.
Proven ability to manage within a matrix environment, and collaborate across multiple departments.
High EQ, with strong executive presence.
This role follows a hybrid work model, with in-office expectations Tuesday through Thursday in our NYC office.

The Trade Desk does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm recruiters. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of The Trade Desk. The Trade Desk is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

In accordance with various US state laws, the range provided is the Trade Desk's reasonable estimate of the base compensation for this role. The actual amount may differ based on non-discriminatory factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, and location. All employees may be eligible to become The Trade Desk shareholders through eligibility for stock-based compensation grants, which are awarded to employees based on company and individual performance. The Trade Desk also offers other compensation depending on the role such as variable compensation-based incentives and commissions. Plus, expected benefits for this role include comprehensive healthcare (medical, dental, and vision) with premiums paid in full for employees and dependents, retirement benefits such as a 401k plan and company match, short and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, well-being benefits, reimbursement for certain tuition expenses, parental leave, sick time of 1 hour per 30 hours worked, vacation time for full-time employees up to 120 hours thru the first year and 160 hours thereafter, and around 13 paid holidays per year. Employees can also purchase The Trade Desk stock at a discount through The Trade Desk’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

The Trade Desk also offers a competitive benefits package. Click here to learn more.

Note: Interns are not eligible for variable incentive awards such as stock-based compensation, retirement plan, vacation, tuition reimbursement or parental leave

At the Trade Desk, Base Salary is one part of our competitive total compensation and benefits package and is determined using a salary range. The base salary range for this role is

$121,700—$223,100 USD

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, The Trade Desk is committed to creating an inclusive hiring experience where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Please reach out to us at accommodations@thetradedesk.com to request an accommodation or discuss any accessibility needs you may require to access our Company Website or navigate any part of the hiring process.

When you contact us, please include your preferred contact details and specify the nature of your accommodation request or questions. Any information you share will be handled confidentially and will not impact our hiring decisions.