Managing Director, Strategy (Chicago)

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.

What We Are Looking For

VML is seeking a visionary and experienced Managing Director, Strategy to lead our strategic insights across brand and commerce for a large CPG client. You'll be focused on US senior brand and commerce clients across major retailer customer teams. You'll lead data-based strategic insights and direction to support development of creative briefs, communication plans, retail sell-in stories and holistic strategy and joint business planning. You'll as the voice of the consumer in bringing human truths, shopper triggers, and shopper barriers to the planning process. Working closely with the Marketing Science, Account Management, Creative and Media teams, this position provides both and internal and client facing strategic direction and briefing of big ideas to activate in commerce.

What You'll Do

• Leads brand, creative, retail strategy in partnership with account teams (agency and client) on annual brand and campaign planning
• Leads cross functional team of Brand, Commerce, E-Commerce/Content Strategists, responsible for training on core skills, setting standard expectations, and mentoring team for growth
• Brings vision to audience building, AI-enabled strategic processes, and focus on creative effectiveness
• Takes ownership of building data-driven and human-inspired strategies to improve the effectiveness of communications programs
• Uncovers key consumer and shopper insights to deliver powerful marketing strategies to deliver inspiring creative that drives shopper behavior change
• Partners closely with research team in developing quantitative shopper studies and integrating learnings into marketing strategy
• Leads the development or relevant and inspirational creative briefs to solve client challenges

• Define the client’s challenge, business opportunity and shopper target
• Use research and strategy tools to gather information about the shopper/consumer and culture including: MRI Simmons, Mintel, YPulse, Infegy, Kantar Retail IQ, Circana
• Identify consumer/shopper mindset and behavior to uncover pivotal insight and develop marketing strategy

• Takes agile, collaborative approach to briefing creative teams on their commerce assignments

• Evaluate creative concepts, ensuring they are on strategy and meet client objectives
• Present strategy section of program ideas and creative concepts presentation to client
• Evaluate national program tactics and media plans against agreed upon strategies to ensure alignment; suggest alternatives where necessary

• Support client’s annual planning activities and ad hoc requests by leveraging client research and all other available data sources/tools
• Proactively monitors consumer and retailer news and trends and share with broader strategy team and assigned client team(s)

What You'll Need

• 15+ years of experience across Brand and Commerce Strategy, preferably at an agency, CPG company, research company, or consulting firm
• Experience and comfort liasoning with senior level clients, such as CMOs and Brand VPs, to partner on solutions.
• Experience leading a team of Strategists and setting vision for Commerce Strategy work, including training team members and growing skills
• Experience and high performance in submitting to Commerce Effectiveness Awards (Effie, WARC, Cannes).
• Applied experience with database tools and systems such as MRI Simmons, Mintel, Infegy, YPulse
• Experience working with AI-enabled, technology solutions to bring strategic work to life and interest in bringing vision to enhancing tools and technology.
• Able to communicate clearly, thoroughly, succinctly and in a timely manner both verbally and in writing; follows up on outstanding issues; asks relevant questions
• Critical thinking; drawing conclusions, find creative solutions, structured problem-solving approach
• Ability to effectively manage timelines and deliverables of multiple projects and clients simultaneously

What we offer:

• Passionate, driven people |We champion a culture of people that do extraordinary work.
• Consciously cultivated culture |We aim to embody the behaviors to build an inclusivecommunity that is in it together, bringing both positivity and active listening into the workplace as we simultaneously strive to empower creative bravery.
• 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.
• 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.

VML is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or other protected group status. 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.

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.

_ $120,000 — $295,000 USD

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

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