Director Strategy

About the role

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. This individual will help lead a portfolio of leading CPG brands. This role requires a strategic thinker with a proven ability to translate complex business challenges into actionable marketing solutions that deliver measurable results.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Product

  • Develop the strategic approach and outcomes to effectively solve client challenges, ensuring alignment with business objectives and market factors, leveraging VML's strategic processes and resources.

  • Strategic Craft

    • Develop compelling insights, strategic frameworks, content rollouts, and clear, concise narratives, translating complex data into actionable opportunities.

  • Research & Analysis

    • Proficiently use various research methodologies (qualitative and quantitative) and actively leverage VML's tools and resources, while proactively exploring new ones.

    • Identify significant research findings and synthesize them into actionable analyses, insights, and strategies that inform impactful creative solutions.

  • Strategic Activation

    • Translate approved strategies into compelling and effective activations, ensuring seamless execution across all channels.

    • AI Engineering & Prompting

      • Understand the capabilities and limitations of AI in marketing and brand strategy, explores and experiments with AI tools to enhance strategic development and execution.

  • Strategic Process

    • Business Development

      • Identify and communicate opportunities to grow client business.

      • Play a key role in new business pitches, including developing pitch strategy and presenting to prospective clients.

    • Project Scoping & Management

      • Collaborate with Strategy and Client Leadership teams to ensure appropriate project scoping, managing resources and budgets effectively.

    • Awards & Recognition

      • Contribute to the writing of WARC 100 Award entries, showcasing the impact and effectiveness of client and teamwork.

    • Measurement and Optimization

      • 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.

  • People Management

    • Client Collaboration

      • Proactively engage with clients at all levels to understand their business challenges and opportunities, build strong relationships, and collaborate on developing winning strategies.

    • Internal Collaboration

      • Maintain strong and productive collaboration with internal teams, ensuring seamless communication, efficient workflow, and the delivery of high-quality work that enhances client offerings.

    • Team Leadership & Mentorship

      • Motivates and empowers individual team members, fostering a collaborative environment, encouraging them to exceed expectations.

  Desired Skills And Experiences

  • Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, or a related field.
  • 7-10 years of relevant industry experience in brand strategy, preferably within an agency setting, with integrated experience across CX, social, and retail.
  • CPG experience is essential.
  • Demonstrated ability to contribute and lead effectively within integrated agency teams.
  • Experience working with a variety of clients across different industries.
  • Strong understanding of digital marketing and emerging technologies, including AI.
  • Expertise in brand positioning, messaging, and narrative development grounded in a passion for identifying relevant cultural insights and trends.
  • Track record of successfully building and maintaining strong client relationships.
  • Demonstrated leadership and team management capabilities.
  • A passion for innovation and a commitment to staying ahead of industry trends.

  Additional Considerations

  • Experience with specific industry verticals (e.g., CPG, Financial Services, Healthcare).
  • Active participation in industry organizations and events.
  • Personal interest in the CPG category (or relevant categories).

  Pay

  $75,000—$180,000 USD

  Benefits

  We offer a competitive benefits package, click WPP Benefits for more details.