At a Glance
- Tasks: Create and deliver innovative social strategies for leading brands across various platforms.
- Company: VML, a creative powerhouse part of WPP, known for its award-winning work.
- Benefits: Generous leave, flexible working, health insurance, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of diversity and collaboration in a hybrid working environment.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and shape the future of social media for top brands.
- Qualifications: Experience in social strategy and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Who We Are
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 Astra Zeneca, Colgate‑Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca‑Cola Company, and Wendy's.
The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization.
In addition, VML’s specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world’s largest and most awarded health agencies.
VML’s global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.
About WPP
WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands.
We unite cutting‑edge media intelligence and data solutions, world‑class creativity, next‑generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth.
For more information, visit WPP. com.
- Senior Social Strategist
- Company: VML
- Hybrid working: Working from home / Sea Containers office, London, SE1
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 building connected brands that drive growth for our clients.
We do this by leveraging our 3 core practices; Brand experience, Customer experience and Commerce.
Within these practices we offer expertise across communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, data, production, and technology.
We deliver end‑to‑end solutions that result in revolutionary work.
The Role: Senior Social Strategist
We are seeking an experienced social strategist who will ideate, create, and deliver comprehensive innovative social strategies for a leading brand.
You'll be keen to understand what the client needs and match that with how we can create and engage, tailored to different social platforms, and always rooted in social audience behaviours.
You will become one of the 'go‑to' social guardians, helping brands take bold steps to embrace the very best of what social has to offer with our guidance.
You'll have the opportunity to own workstreams and really get under the skin of what makes audiences tick.
If you're passionate about social media, have a keen eye for trends & platform updates, and possess exceptional communication skills, we want to hear from you!
The VML Social team is growing and this opportunity is primed for someone that's looking to deliver best in class social, whilst learning and upskilling themselves with a team of specialists.
We're very fortunate to offer our clients the full range of social expertise, from influencer managers, content creators, social account management, social data scientists, and of course…social strategists.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic
Leadership: Lead the development and execution of comprehensive social brand, content, and campaign strategies for [our client / client portfolio].
Leverage experience to develop broader POVs on specific audiences, trends, or best practices.
- Collaboration: Foster strong collaborative relationships with the wider VML team outside of social, including strategy & planning, data & insights, client engagement, and creative.
Integrate social‑specific knowledge and align with their diverse expertise, including briefing work and working where social is part of an integrated plan.
- Client
Engagement: Steer clients through social strategies, providing guidance, challenging assumptions, and ensuring the best possible outcomes.
Proactively uncover new opportunities for the brand's social execution.
- Insights: Identify and leverage cultural and social insights relevant to the client and the social space as a whole, to inform strategic recommendations and ensure relevance for brands in social.
- Presentation
Skills: Present strategic recommendations to senior clients and internal teams in a clear, concise, and persuasive manner.
Respond spontaneously to issues or questions that arise.
- Channel
Understanding: Demonstrate a truly native and broad understanding of everything social from Linked In to Tik Tok; content and trends, platform and functionality updates, and what the brand's competitors/comparators are doing in social.
Share this knowledge proactively with colleagues and clients.
- Brand
Guardianship: Understand and embody the needs of the brand, matched with social, and how different aspects of the brand need to show up (from personal to business, and from more serious to more fun).
- The ideal candidate will
- Have a proven track record of developing and implementing successful social strategies for big brands.
- Ideally have experience of social within a related sector.
- Be a highly collaborative team player, capable of building strong relationships with clients, internal teams, and external partners.
- Be a strategic thinker with the ability to 'translate' and communicate complex social data and insights into actionable recommendations.
- Be a compelling storyteller with excellent presentation and communication skills.
- Be comfortable working in a dynamic environment and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- Be passionate about 'what's next' in social, to stay ahead of the curve.
- Be adept at using data and analytics to measure the effectiveness of social campaigns and optimise performance.
- Be a proactive and results‑oriented individual with a strong work ethic and a commitment to excellence.
- Have a nuanced perspective on social marketing built from wide‑ranging experience and continuous learning, including specific insights into consumer trends, brand storytelling, and platform innovations.
Qualifications & Experience
- Proven experience in a social strategy role within an advertising/marketing agency or client team.
- Strong understanding of social media, with a variety of social platforms, and emerging technologies.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
- Proven ability to build and maintain strong client relationships.
- Experience working with cross‑functional teams and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- Experience of working on major clients is highly beneficial although not essential.
- A degree of some sort will help us understand your background and point of view.
• Experience in high‑value brands is a major plus!
Sound like you? Then we'd love to talk to you about this super exciting opportunity!
What's in it for you?
Aside from a generous annual leave allowance and pension allowances, you will have access to a whole host of other benefits and activities such as
- Life Assurance
- Permanent Health Insurance
- BUPA
- Flexible hybrid‑working schedule
- Enhanced family friendly policies
- Well‑being Programme
- Employee Assistance Support
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Eye Care and Glasses Vouchers
- Season Ticket Loans
- WPP Discounts
You will also have a clear long‑term career development plan and access to our learning and development activities and online learning platforms.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
VML is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, colour, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability.
We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion and strives to recruit a diverse slate of candidates to help us achieve that goal.
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.
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.
VML is a WPP agency (NYSE: WPP). For more information, please visit www. vml. com, and follow along on Instagram, Linked In, and X.
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Senior Social Strategist employer: Wundermanthompson
At VML, we pride ourselves on being a leading creative company that fosters innovation and collaboration in a dynamic work environment. Our hybrid working model allows for flexibility while our commitment to employee growth is evident through comprehensive career development plans and access to learning resources. With a diverse and inclusive culture, we empower our team members to thrive and make meaningful contributions to exciting projects for renowned global brands from our vibrant London office.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Strategist
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Wundermanthompson.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Wundermanthompson!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Wundermanthompson, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Wundermanthompson or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Social Strategist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Wundermanthompson:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Wundermanthompson! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wundermanthompson
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
