<p>Who We Are:</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Who we are looking for:</p> <p>We are looking for a creatively driven Group Director Strategy to work across a portfolio of iconic global CPG and Sport brands to inspire creatives to drive transformational work. This is a fantastic opportunity to partner with clients known for their commitment to driving innovative, inclusive work. The Group Director Strategy will champion working with cross functional teams to guide strategy across US and global work. The Group Director Strategy will leverage intelligence insights to tell impactful stories from the earliest research stage through creative development, communication planning and campaign evaluation. At the core of this role is the ability to glean and share human insights, a voracious curiosity, a collaborative nature, and the ability to inspire strong, impactful communications. The ideal candidate must have a strong interest in sport and/or running.</p> <p>What you'll be doing:</p> <ul> <li>Partner with account leadership to support the overall management of client business relationships including strategy development, creation of briefs, briefing teams, campaign performance monitoring and ongoing client communications. </li><li>Lead integrated agency team in day-to-day creation and management of campaigns, driving a high performing, cross-functional team to deliver work that drives efficiencies in content across touchpoints and exceeds client targets. </li><li>Possess an inherent interest in consumer behavior and examine the way that brands communicate to find the intersection of brands, culture, and creativity. </li><li>Work with the creative and account management team to ensure all client deliverables are flawlessly executed and on strategy. </li><li>Encourage proactivity, creativity and collaboration between the strategy and creative teams to ensure the sharing of work and innovative thinking. </li><li>Use your experience and knowledge to inspire and motivate the team. </li><li>Orchestrate brand planning, strategic planning, and analytical activity in concert with the creative and account management teams to establish disruptive ideas. </li><li>Truly collaborate with groups of clients, account managers and creative in the development of inspiring creative briefs that translate insights into innovative and strategic campaign strategies. </li></ul> <p>What You'll Need:</p> <ul> <li>10+ years in brand strategy/planning, marketing consulting or advertising with strong interest in sport and/or running. </li><li>The ability to think on your feet and an eagerness to explore all available resources to think outside the box. </li><li>Zealous passion for rolling up your sleeves to bring ideas to life with cross-functional teams. </li><li>Strong interpersonal/communication skills; you will be face-to-face with various departments and client teams at their busiest moments. </li><li>Must have a pulse on cultural and social trends with the ability to translate these trends into insights and creative opportunities. </li><li>An expertise in data sources, qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, and a keen eye of when and how to apply them to client challenges. </li><li>The ability to thrive in a highly collaborative and diverse team. Must be able to lead and work in an integrated team environment and be comfortable collaborating with teams from different regions and different agencies. </li><li>A self-starter approach and true sense of ownership regarding work at each point of delivery. </li><li>Excel in leading and owning the development of client presentations and leading client meetings. </li></ul> <p>What we offer:</p> <ul> <li>Passionate, driven people We champion a culture of people that do extraordinary work. </li><li>Consciously cultivated culture We aim to embody the behaviors to build an inclusive community that is in it together, bringing both positivity and active listening into the workplace as we simultaneously strive to empower creative bravery. </li><li>Competitive benefits What we offer full time hires ranges from the full spectrum of group health coverage options (medical, dental, vision) to a generous 401k match (100% dollar-for-dollar match, up to 5% of salary contribution), and a variety of paid time off offerings that reflect our investment in all aspects of your overall life balance and wellness. </li><li>Growth-minded opportunities We aim to nurture a culture of real-time feedback, growth-oriented mindset, and plenty of training opportunities through VML and WPP, so you can continue to grow personally and professionally. </li></ul> <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 WPP Benefits for more details.</p> <p>_</p> <p>$100,000-$230,000 USD</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.</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 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.</p>