Global Managing Partner

In summary:

We are creating a new board-level role of Global MP to help formalise, develop and grow Bicycle’s international media offering and manage a growing list of clients; from FMCG to finance and entertainment. This role is also being created to deliver excellence in global strategic client account leadership to drive revenue growth, profitability and client satisfaction.

We are looking for a senior, self–starting and energetic business leader with practitioner skills to develop the Bicycle International proposition: someone who is happy to work in a fast scale-up environment, up for travel, and hungry to create a new model for clients keen to eschew the networks.



In more detail:

This is a multi-market and multi-channel strategic leadership role

Many of our clients have a start-up mentality and appreciate someone who can think on their feet, make sound recommendations for both brand building and tactical activity, and have an appetite for experimentation and innovation

A global mindset and an appreciation for local nuance is critical – we want someone who can think big but can also roll up their sleeves and get on a plane if needed to help the entire team deliver against the brand’s ambitions

We want someone who is not just knowledgeable but speaks/writes credibly and persuasively. Multiple languages would be a benefit but not essential

The GMP is expected to be an excellent writer and presenter. This attribute is critical to manage senior stakeholder relationships and meetings.

We expect the GMP to be an active face of Bicycle within the International media scene


Stakeholder management (Internal and External):

You will be engaging with multiple stakeholders within Bicycle, and maybe local market leads. We have a highly talented and diverse team and support groups that allow us to do our best work

The person we are looking for should be able to manage up/down/across and get things done while keeping morale high

In terms of Clients you will interact with the global, regional and local media and marketing stakeholders. Again, you must be able to initiate successful engagements with Clients of different levels, expertise and backgrounds.


People Management -

We are looking for a self-starter and an effective coach & collaborator. This GMP will be reporting to the CEO, who will provide high-level guidance and expect you to effectively manage the day-to-day operations.

You will initially have one or two direct reports with the team's potential to grow quickly as the client’s business and our footprint grow.

Ensure team is delivering to objectives and offering mentorship and development to team members (both direct reports and peers).

Team and agency culture is a big priority at Bicycle; hence, we expect the GMP to actively lead and participate in such initiatives.


Business Development -

We grow by ensuring our client’s businesses; therefore having a growth mindset and experience with revenue management is imperative.

We would like this GMP to be entrepreneurial and continuously look for opportunities to sell Client solutions that they need for their (and our) business to flourish.

We would like this to lead/co-lead in new business pitches through prospecting and excellent Client presentations.


Financial Management -

We expect this person to be on top of revenue, profitability and other financial metrics for the business unit.



Responsibilities:

Developing relationships with the most senior clients through a deep understanding of the brand; becoming a trusted advisor

Taking the conversation ‘upstream’: develop new mutually advantageous approaches that build clients’ brands and lead the client to better decisions about using media

Lead, manage and galvanise a united Global Client team

Build and manage a team across the key markets globally. Set the vision and build a culture of winning. Create a leadership team of experts and grow talents

Driving growth, identifying business opportunities thanks to a perfect understanding of your Client

Delivering 3X (MX, UX and CX): embrace & implement the Groups vision of growing our clients’ business



The Person:


A Visionary Leader -

Charismatic, energetic and real future-facing leader, a forward thinker who inspires. Probably someone who has a proven track record in inspiring teams in an entrepreneurial environment


Client Focused -

A trusted advisor, excellent at building strong and long-term relationships with clients who knows how to gain client trust and create a culture of can-do (Why not! Not why). Someone who can build a true and lasting partnership. Get first-hand client information and use it for improvements in product services.


Strong Business Acumen -

A proven track record for driving growth. Including a good understanding of business models and trends and the ability to identify and seize opportunities that move the business towards strategic goals.


Strategic Ability -

A strong strategic thinker; able to spar with the CSO and anticipate future consequences and trends accurately, with broad knowledge and perspective and can strategy into reality


Integrated Vision with strong Digital expertise -

A broad understanding of the communication world and all the media channels, digitally savvy with depth of experience with clients that have sophisticated approaches to digital and understanding of how to use data to inform creative, media and commerce choices


Hunger to disrupt -

Action-oriented and full of energy for challenges, not fearful or acting with a minimum of planning; someone who seizes opportunities and is significantly change-oriented and steadfastly pushes themself and others for results.


International Experience -

Track record of leading international brands. A proven collaborator within a multinational business, who can coordinate and influence a collective team-based client relationship across complex matrix structures, organisations and different cultures, both internally and externally, and manage significant stakeholders and key industry relationships


Relationships and Teamwork -

A team player, fair with people, who leads by example and encourages collaborations; Can quickly find common ground and solve problems for the good of all. A bridge-builder and not a kingdom maker. Not afraid of hard work or getting down into the weeds with working teams.

Has a track record of building high performing teams. Nurturing them and growing individuals to maximize performance.



Success Criteria -

Has led international accounts with a multi-market experience, probably in a media agency environment

Has worked in a matrixed environment and is comfortable navigating complex structures

Ability to collaborate effectively with multiple stakeholders and internal leaders

Emotional maturity, resilience and ability to inspire the team above, below and around them

Proven track record of building relationships with C-Suite

Expert knowledge and strategic thinking to offer a strong point of view direction of marketing and media landscape



Diversity & Representation:

Aside from simply being the right thing to do, we believe that fostering an inclusive culture where all talent can thrive makes our company stronger and helps drive invention in the work we do for our clients. We also believe it enables a greater idea exchange that fuels innovation and best reflects diverse consumer experiences.

Bicycle is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a space where everyone can bring their whole self to work. We actively promote and welcome applications from individuals who identify with groups currently underrepresented in the advertising industry.


If you meet our criteria please get in touch.

Significant commercial bonus and extensive benefits
£110,000 - £120,000

About Bicycle:


Founded by five people in May 2021 who believed that a better type of media agency wasn’t just possible, but needed, from a standing start we are now 25 strong (and hiring!) and handling billings predicted to be well in excess of £100 million in 2022. We are lucky enough to count Livescore, Virgin, Duolingo, Branston Pickle, Movember, Pasta Evangelists, ANNA Money and Estrid amongst our clients.


We are the Media Experience (MX) agency. We believe that experience is the most important factor to lean into when considering communication for clients, and our unique 3X approach brings together MX, CX and UX to powerful effect in a way that other agencies simply aren’t built to deliver.


Bicycle is the fastest growing media agency in the UK, and quite possibly the world. Our headquarters are in Farringdon, London. We’re home to intelligent people who want to create incredible work on interesting brands. We are 100% independent, with no external investment whatsoever.


And now, we’re going global, baby.