Senior Strategy Director- Freelance
: Job Details :

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.

Where you shine:

As a Senior Director of Strategy (Freelance), you will quarterback a human-centered approach to translating human empathy and an understanding of the world into meaningful and impactful experiences. We work to anticipate emerging opportunities at the intersection of people, culture, technology and business, identifying where to play and how to win for our clients. As Director of Strategy, you will lead by understanding the root of client business challenges, framing problems in unexpected ways, and providing inspiration and clarity through thought leadership. Engagement strategy is core to the VML Strategy & Insights practice, providing leadership across strategy, insights, and innovation.

The Senior Director of Strategy (Freelance) often operates independently, leveraging a team of junior experience strategists and cross-functional CX teams to help drive projects. The Senior Director of Strategy (Freelance) is expected to manage the investigation, synthesis and business impact of both Brand and CX efforts. Like all strategists on our team, you'll be expected to inspire change through innate curiosity, a drive for impact, and an orientation that puts strategy into immediate action.

What your success will look like:

• Develop a deep understanding of our clients' customers' wants, needs, and behaviors across the full customer journey
• Oversee the development and orchestration of engagement and omnichannel Brand strategy – connection of strategic goals to engagement priorities to channel specific strategies (e.g. social, CRM, website, paid media, apps, rep-delivered and more)
• Ability to lead the translation of insights into strategies and tactics
• Collaborate effectively with other strategists, Client Engagement, Medical, and Creative disciplines on business, brand and communications strategies
• Develop strong client relationships as a key strategic and business partner
• Strong understanding of various analytical frameworks and methodologies, and the ability to analyze and translate data into a concise story
• Manages smaller client engagements and supports the senior team in management of larger clients
• Manages junior strategists on strategy tools and processes, providing guidance and feedback for professional growth, and recognizing how to motivate junior strategists
• Provides key support and partnership in leading key strategy deliverables by guiding the strategic direction in relation to our clients' brand development and marketing approach
• Constantly seeks to improve client work and actively analyzes client's challenges and opportunities
• Demonstrates and challenges team to uncover innovative tools and ideas, and to pursue growth opportunities
• Lead workshop planning and proposals, development of measurement strategy and analytics approaches, execution of CX planning and tactical exercises, and content generation and presentation strategies
• Actively participate in new business pitches

Who you are and what you bring:

• 8-15 years of experience in overall research and strategic planning experience
• HCP and DTC marketing agency experience
• Pharma Client Experience
• Critical and analytical thinker, innovator and visionary that inspires creativity
• Demonstrates passion, familiarity, and curiosity with the CX practice
• Able to develop strong client relationships and trust based on deep immersion in the client's business
• Highly collaborative and able to work effectively across internal and external stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Minimum of a bachelor's degree and a multidisciplinary background, including developing business strategy, marketing strategy, consumer insight, and/or account planning
• MBA is preferred

At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization—creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers—who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.

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