Principal Consultant (Commerce & Digital)

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.

Principal Consultant needed to join our Consultancy team at VML Enterprise Solutions. We are seeking a visionary and distinguished Principal Consultant to influence and drive transformation at the highest levels of our consultancy. This pivotal role offers a unique opportunity to act as a trusted advisor to C-suite global business leaders, shaping the future of our consultancy solutions on a global scale.

Other core elements of this role will be:

• Orchestrating teams with diverse, cross-functional skill sets to collaboratively generate strategic, high-quality solutions to complex client challenges.
• Demonstrating a relentless passion for deciphering and resolving intricate client problems within the dynamic and evolving digital landscape.
• Proactively identifying new opportunities for client support by leveraging deep client insights and extending value beyond the initial engagements.
• Utilizing advanced communication and analytical skills to swiftly dissect client issues, providing clear, actionable strategies in often ambiguous and high-pressure situations.

What you’ll be doing: You will have a distinguished consultancy background or an executive leadership position, demonstrating profound expertise in multiple specialized sectors. Ideally, your experience spans at least 1-2 key industries, such as retail, FMCG/CPG, B2B, or automotive.

Key responsibilities:

• Client Engagement & Relationship Management:
• Operate at C-suite level to engage and lead clients through complex transformational change across truly omni-channel ecosystems.
• Tackle the biggest transformational business questions that lead our clients to global success across experience, technology and organisational change.
• Lead cross-functional engagements, serving as the primary point of contact for senior client stakeholders across a number of our largest clients.
• Build and nurture strong, trusted relationships with clients, understanding their business challenges and objectives.
• Proactively identify and pursue opportunities to expand existing client relationships and generate new business.
• Team Leadership & Development:
• Lead, mentor, and coach the more junior consultants, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.
• Inspire and empower team members to take ownership, develop their skills, and reach their full potential.
• Promote knowledge sharing and best practices across the team and wider organization.
• Strategic Consulting & Solution Delivery:
• Leverage your expertise in eCommerce and specialist sector knowledge (e.g., retail, FMCG/CPG, B2B, automotive) to provide strategic guidance and solutions to clients.
• Confident communicator who can articulately ask questions and actively listen to get to the core of the client problem.
• Conduct thorough business analysis, identifying pain points, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
• A deep understanding of technologies that form a part of digital ecosystems, such as eCommerce platforms, CMS, PIM etc. as well as software delivery methodology including agile.
• Develop and present compelling proposals, roadmaps, and presentations that clearly articulate value propositions and solutions.
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation:
• Proactively identify and implement process improvements to enhance team efficiency, output quality, and client satisfaction.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices, incorporating relevant learnings into your work.

What we want from you:

• Extensive experience in management or consultancy roles within the e-Commerce domain.
• In-depth specialist sector knowledge in at least 1-2 areas, ideally including retail, FMCG/CPG, B2B, or automotive.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to effectively lead and motivate cross-functional teams.
• Exceptional relationship-building and networking skills, with a knack for building rapport with senior stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of digital ecosystems and technologies, including e-commerce platforms, CMS, PIM, and agile software delivery methodologies.
• Advanced problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyse complex business problems, think laterally, and develop creative solutions.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Passion for client success and a commitment to exceeding expectations.
• Willingness to travel to client sites within the UK and potentially within the EU.

What we can offer you:

• Discretionary bonus scheme
• Training opportunities
• Competitive pension
• Medical insurance
• Life assurance
• Social events
• Opportunities to buy and sell holidays
• Family friendly policies
• Discounts with hundreds of retailers
• Much more.

Our culture thrives on our core values, designed for impact-driven individuals: Heart, Brains and Courage.

We lead with Heart, fostering empathy and trust where genuine connections and human-centric work flourish. We empower your Brains for innovation, valuing relentless curiosity and collaborative intelligence to solve complex challenges. And we champion Courage, inspiring you to speak up, embrace experimentation, and advocate for bold solutions that push our thinking to be better than yesterday.

As our business grows internationally, we’re looking for new people to join us on our journey to inspire and take a key role in shaping some of the best commerce solutions, services, and websites in the world.

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.