Head of Strategy

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 Global Director of Strategy and Planning will be the strategic architect and visionary leader behind a fast-growing global brand. This individual will define, articulate, and champion the brand’s strategic vision — helping the brand achieve its ambitious growth objectives while, more importantly, defining what comes next.

The role requires translating complex insights and business objectives into clear, inspiring narratives that drive creativity, consistency, and performance. Acting as both a strategic leader and a trusted client partner, you will oversee the future of the global brand strategy. You will ensure that every initiative is rooted in insight, guided by purpose, and measured by impact.

Key Responsibilities:

• Brand Vision and Definition: Own and articulate the global brand vision, ensuring it remains clear, differentiated, and culturally relevant across markets. Set our “North Star”. Continually look to drive the brand forwards, ensuring we constantly innovate and evolve while maintaining brand equity.
• Strategic Ownership: Define measurable strategic KPIs aligned with business outcomes and marketing performance. Ensure strategic focus and priorities are clear.
• Consumer Obsession: Be the voice of the consumer in the business. Understand who we are talking to, what drives them, and how we can tailor our approaches accordingly.
• Partnership & Collaboration: Act as a senior strategic partner to the client’s global leadership team, providing thought leadership and counsel at the highest level.
• Innovation & Thought Leadership: Be the champion of strategic innovation — exploring new ways to drive brand growth through creativity, data, and cultural intelligence.

Key Qualifications & Experience:

• 20+ years of strategic experience in marketing, advertising, or communications, ideally within a global agency network.
• Proven experience leading global brand strategy for large, complex, multinational clients.
• Deep understanding of brand building, consumer insights, cultural trends, and integrated marketing planning.
• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to connect strategic vision to tangible business outcomes.
• Exceptional communicator and storyteller.

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.