Managing Director, Strategy

Who We Are

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.

Where You Shine

As the Managing Director, Strategy you will be at the forefront of our human-centered approach, translating empathy and understanding into impactful experiences. The role requires you to dedicate energy to anticipating emerging opportunities for our clients at the intersection of people, culture, technology, and business. We are looking for someone who leads by championing others, is hungry to get to the root of client's complex business challenges and knows how to mine audience insights and culture for inspiration.

Core Responsibilities

• Supervise and deliver quality research, translating into solid insights.
• Proactively recommend insight mining plans to craft strategy for clients/pitches.
• Ensure a solid final product is delivered; Challenge the team's analytical thinking to ensure clear, compelling, and actionable analysis for clients or pitches.
• Guide junior strategists in developing skills in analysis and insight mining
• Train strategists on positioning fundamentals and how to synthesize research into meaningful insights.
• Oversee and guide brief development in collaboration with internal partners (Creative, Client Engagement); Secure CSO and client approval.
• Partner with Creative Directors to ensure that all creative work for the account aligns with the strategy and reflects our best possible work-bold, differentiated, and compelling.
• Inspire and challenge the team to take creative risks. Ensure the final creative shown to clients aligns with the creative brief.
• Partner with clients to drive business and strategy; Propose/sell-in of high-impact, profitable workshops. Ensure excellence in logistics, creativity of approach, and client satisfaction.
• Develop innovative new types of workshop offerings to drive businesses.
• A proven track record of influencing award-winning creative work.
  
  

Skills & Experiences:

• 10-15+ years' experience in overall strategic planning and brand-building, having worked across complex brand portfolios.
• A breadth of global experience, ideally across a combination of travel and hospitality, CPG, luxury, or loyalty.
• As a critical and analytical thinker, innovator, and visionary, you will play a crucial role in inspiring creativity and guiding the team toward success.
• Managerial experience (previous experience leading & building a team)
• Able to develop strong client relationships and trust based on deep immersion in the client's business.
• Highly collaborative and able to work effectively across internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A multidisciplinary background in developing a marketing strategy, consumer insights, and brand planning.
• Multi-cultural experience is a plus.
  
  

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 WPP Benefits for more details.

_

$125,000-$295,000 USD

At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization-creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers-who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.

VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

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 Recruitment Privacy Policy. California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice. 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.