Director Strategy

<div class="content-intro"><h3><strong>Who We Are</strong></h3> <p>VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human first, award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave™ Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement &amp; Optimization. In addition, VML’s specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world’s largest and most awarded health agencies. VML’s global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.</p> <p><strong>About WPP</strong></p> <p>WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite&nbsp;cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel&nbsp;in a single company –&nbsp;powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open,&nbsp;to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit&nbsp;<u><a href="http://wpp.com/" data-outlook-id="2714312b-312f-4651-9f88-d8a4e47547bc">WPP.com</a></u>.</p></div><p><strong>Role Overview:</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Director of Strategy plays a pivotal role within the VML Brand Strategy team, leading the development and execution of innovative brand strategies for key clients.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>This individual will help lead a portfolio of leading&nbsp;CPG brands.&nbsp;This role requires a strategic thinker with a proven ability to translate complex business challenges into actionable marketing solutions that deliver measurable results. The Director will lead strategic engagements from inception&nbsp;to completion, fostering strong client relationships, collaborating with internal teams, and driving business growth for VML and its clients. This individual will be a key contributor to the new business process, including strategy development, client engagement, and onboarding.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Key Responsibilities:</strong>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Strategic Product</strong>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong>Strategic Leadership:</strong> </li> <ul> <li>Develop the strategic approach and outcomes to effectively solve client challenges, ensuring alignment with business&nbsp;objectives&nbsp;and market factors, leveraging VML's strategic processes and resources.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <li><strong>Strategic Craft:&nbsp;</strong></li> <ul> <li>Develop compelling insights, strategic frameworks,<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>content rollouts,&nbsp;and clear, concise narratives, translating complex data into actionable opportunities.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <li><strong>Research &amp; Analysis:</strong> </li> <ul> <li>Proficiently use various research methodologies (qualitative and quantitative) and actively leverage VML's tools and resources, while proactively exploring new ones.&nbsp;Identify&nbsp;significant research findings and synthesize them into actionable analyses, insights, and strategies that inform impactful creative solutions.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <li><strong>Strategic Activation:</strong> </li> <ul> <li>Translate approved strategies into compelling and effective activations, ensuring seamless execution across all channels.</li> </ul> <li><strong>AI Engineering &amp; Prompting:&nbsp;</strong></li> <ul> <li>Understands the capabilities and limitations of AI in marketing and brand strategy, explores and experiments with AI tools to enhance strategic development and execution.&nbsp;</li> </ul> </ul> <p><strong>Strategic Process</strong>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong>Business Development:</strong> </li> <ul> <li>Identify&nbsp;and communicate opportunities to grow client business. Play a key role in new business pitches, including developing pitch strategy and presenting to prospective clients.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <li><strong>Project Scoping &amp; Management:</strong> </li> <ul> <li>Collaborate with Strategy and Client Leadership teams to ensure&nbsp;appropriate project&nbsp;scoping, managing resources and budgets effectively.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <li><strong>Awards &amp; Recognition:</strong> </li> <ul> <li>Contribute to the writing of WARC 100 Award entries,&nbsp;showcasing&nbsp;the impact and effectiveness of client and teamwork.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <li><strong>Measurement and Optimization</strong>:</li> <ul> <li>Utilize VML's tools to measure and demonstrate the impact of strategy and work on client business outcomes. Act as a brand guardian, continuously optimizing strengths and mitigating challenges.&nbsp;</li> </ul> </ul> <p>&nbsp;<strong>People Management<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong>Client Collaboration:</strong> </li> <ul> <li>Proactively engage with clients at all levels to understand their business challenges and opportunities, build strong relationships, and collaborate on developing winning strategies.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <li><strong>Internal Collaboration:</strong> </li> <ul> <li>Maintain strong and productive collaboration with internal teams, ensuring seamless communication, efficient workflow, and the delivery of high-quality work that enhances client offerings.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <li><strong>Team Leadership &amp; Mentorship:</strong> </li> <ul> <li>Motivates and empowers individual team members, fostering a collaborative environment, encouraging them to exceed expectations.&nbsp;</li> </ul> </ul> <p>&nbsp;<strong>Desired Skills and Experiences:</strong>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, or a related field.</li> <li>7-10 years of relevant industry experience in brand strategy, preferably within an agency setting, with integrated experience across CX, social, and retail.</li> <li> <div>CPG experience is essential.</div> </li> <li> <div>Demonstrated ability to contribute and lead<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>effectively within integrated agency teams.</div> </li> <li>Experience working with a variety of clients across different industries.</li> <li>Strong understanding of digital marketing and emerging technologies, including AI.</li> <li> <div>Expertise in brand positioning, messaging, and narrative development grounded in a passion for identifying relevant cultural insights and trends.</div> </li> <li> <div>Track record of successfully building and maintaining strong client relationships.</div> </li> <li>Demonstrated leadership and team management capabilities.</li> <li>A passion for innovation and a commitment to staying ahead of industry trends.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;<strong>Additional Considerations:</strong>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Experience with specific industry verticals (e.g., CPG, Financial Services, Healthcare).</li> <li>Active participation in industry organizations and events.</li> <li>Personal interest in the CPG category (or relevant categories).&nbsp;</li> </ul><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="description"><p>The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, click <a href="https://mybenefits.wpp.com/public/welcome" target="_blank">WPP Benefits </a>for more details.</p></div><div class="title">_</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$75,000</span><span class="divider">&mdash;</span><span>$180,000 USD</span></div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion"><p><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB">We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.</span></span></span></p> <p><span class="normaltextrun"><span lang="EN-GB">WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.</span></span><span class="scxw176048299"><span lang="EN-GB">&nbsp;</span></span></p> <p><span class="scxw176048299"><span lang="EN-GB">VML is a WPP agency (NYSE: WPP). For more information, please visit  <a href="https://www.vml.com/" target="_blank">www.vml.com</a>, and follow along on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/vml_global/?hl=en">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/vml/">LinkedIn</a>, and <a href="https://x.com/vml_global?lang=en">X</a>.</span></span></p> <p>When you click "Submit Application", this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vml.com/recruitment-privacy-policy">Recruitment Privacy Policy</a>. California residents should read our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vml.com/california-recruitment-privacy-notice">California Recruitment Privacy Notice</a>. This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.</p></div>