GM, Business Development, Independent Agency- East

About this role

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 we do: I ndependent Agencies Business Development

The Trade Desk (TTD) is seeking an accomplished General Manager, Business Development - Independent Agency- East to lead a significant portfolio of independent agency relationships and business development teams. ​​

This leader will be responsible for accelerating revenue growth, strengthening agency partnerships, developing talent, and ensuring consistent execution across their portfolio. By understanding the unique dynamics of independent agencies, this leader will help shape joint strategies that accelerate growth and deepen strategic partnerships. They will serve as a senior strategic partner to agency executives while translating broader GTM priorities into measurable business outcomes.

We’re changing the way global brands and their agencies advertise to audiences around the world. Why? Because at its best, the internet is an open marketplace of ideas, content, and commerce fueled by relevant advertising. That’s why we created an independent media buying platform designed for the open internet. One that helps marketers reach more customers in more places, with more transparency and choice at every stage. ​

The Indy Agency team is the strategic bridge between TTD and the top independent media agencies in the world. By owning relationships with agency leadership teams, this team ensures we are deeply aligned with the organizations that shape global media investment. We partner with agency leadership to improve profitability, streamline planning and buying workflows and unlock new ways to deliver value across the open internet. Through a deep understanding of agency economics, the Indy BD team influences product innovation, informs roadmap priorities and drives join strategies that make media more effective and efficient.

What you'll do:

• Lead Independent Partnership Strategy: Develop and execute an East Region strategy for deepening agency partnerships, aligning on shared objectives that drive growth and operational excellence. ​

• Own Executive Engagement: Build trust-based relationships with agency leadership and influence strategic decisions across commercial, operational and partnership priorities. ​

• Integrate Agency Feedback into Product Roadmap: Partner with Product and Engineering to ensure agency insights inform platform development, measurement capabilities and workflow innovation. ​

• Drive Commercial Outcomes: Collaborate with agency leadership on initiatives that improve profitability, strengthen partnerships and unlock new growth opportunities ​

• Orchestrate Cross-Functional Execution: Work closely with Sales, Client Services, Marketing and Product to deliver integrated solutions that strengthen agency partnerships across the East Region. ​

• Represent TTD externally: Lead, coach and develop a team of business development leaders while serving as a senior ambassador for TTD within the agency ecosystem ​

Who you are:

QUALIFICATIONS ​

• 15+ years of experience in agency leadership, strategic partnerships or business development roles with deep knowledge of independent agency operations and economics ​

• Proven track record influencing agency leadership, leading teams and driving commercial growth ​

• Strong commercial acumen, including understanding of agency P&L, principal buying models and profitability levers ​

• Experience leading business development teams through growth, organizational change and market evolution ​

• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills, capable of navigating complex multi-party agreements ​

WHAT YOU’LL BRING ​

• Authentic and values driven leader, someone who embodies our core values ​

• Collaborative leadership style, you're someone who develops talent, builds trust and creates alignment across diverse stakeholders ​

• A forward-looking perspective, you’re someone who anticipates industry shifts and demonstrates grit and adaptability navigating complexity and change ​

• Inclusive and empathic- you champion diversity of thought and foster an environment where all voices are heard and respected ​

• Low ego, high impact- you prioritize outcomes over credit ​

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.

[LA JOBS ONLY] The Trade Desk will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories for em

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