Strategy Director (12-14 Month Contract)

Wunderman Thompson; Vancouver; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading creative agency in Vancouver is seeking a Strategy Director for a 12-14 month contract. This role involves leading strategic initiatives across various clients, leveraging insights to shape brand and business strategies. Ideal candidates have over 6 years in strategic roles and exceptional communication skills. This position offers competitive compensation and a hybrid work model, fostering collaboration and innovation.

Benefits

Impactful work on high-profile projects

Collaborative and innovative culture

Growth opportunities

Hybrid work model

Competitive compensation

Qualifications

• 6+ years of progressive experience in strategic planning, brand strategy, communications strategy, or digital strategy within an agency environment.
• Proven ability to lead complex strategic engagements and guide teams.
• Exceptional communication skills to articulate complex concepts simply.

Responsibilities

• Drive the end-to-end strategic process for key clients.
• Conduct thorough research and analyze market trends.
• Develop robust brand, communication, and experience strategies.
• Build strong relationships with senior client stakeholders.
• Participate in new business pitches.

Skills

Strategic planning

Client relationship management

Market analysis

Team leadership

Communication

Digital strategy

Education

6+ years experience in strategic roles

Job description

Overview

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.

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Strategy Director (12-14 Month Contract)

Location: Vancouver, BC (Hybrid/On-site as per VML Vancouver policy)

The Opportunity

Are you a seasoned strategic leader looking for an exciting, high-impact contract opportunity? VML Vancouver is seeking a talented and driven Strategy Director to join our team for a 12-14 month engagement. This is a pivotal role for an individual who can hit the ground running, shape strategic direction, and contribute significantly to our clients’ success and our agency’s growth.

You’ll be instrumental in leading strategic initiatives across a range of clients, from brand building and communications planning to digital transformation and customer experience design. This role offers the chance to work on challenging and rewarding projects, collaborate with brilliant minds, and leave a lasting mark during your tenure.

What You’ll Do

• Lead Strategic Development:Drive the end-to-end strategic process for key clients, from initial discovery and insights generation to developing compelling strategic frameworks, briefs, and roadmaps.
• Uncover Deep Insights:Conduct thorough research, analyze market trends, consumer behavior, and competitive landscapes to unearth actionable insights that inform creative and business solutions.
• Shape Brand & Business Strategy:Develop robust brand strategies, communication strategies, and experience strategies that align with client objectives and deliver measurable impact.
• Collaborate & Inspire:Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure strategic alignment and seamless execution.
• Client Partnership:Build strong, trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders, acting as a strategic advisor and a thought leader. Present complex ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Elevate Our Work:Challenge conventional thinking, identify new opportunities, and push the boundaries of what’s possible to deliver innovative and effective solutions.
• Contribute to New Business:Participate in new business pitches, contributing strategic thinking and compelling narratives to win new clients.

Who You Are

• An Experienced Strategist:6+ years of progressive experience in strategic planning, brand strategy, communications strategy, or digital strategy within an agency environment.
• A Proven Leader:Demonstrated ability to lead complex strategic engagements and guide multi-disciplinary teams.
• Insight-Driven:You have a natural curiosity and a knack for identifying the "why" behind consumer behavior and market dynamics.
• Exceptional Communicator:Superior written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex strategic concepts simply and compellingly to diverse audiences.
• Client-Centric:A strong track record of building and maintaining strong client relationships, understanding their business challenges, and delivering strategic value.
• Collaborative & Adaptable:You thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and can adapt quickly to changing priorities and client needs.
• Digitally Savvy:A strong understanding of the digital landscape, emerging technologies, and their impact on consumer behavior and brand experiences.
• Results-Oriented:You are focused on delivering measurable outcomes and demonstrating the impact of strategic work.
• Vancouver Market Knowledge (Bonus):Familiarity with the local market and business landscape is a plus.

Why VML Vancouver?

• Impactful Work:The chance to work on high-profile projects for leading brands.
• Collaborative Culture:Be part of a supportive, innovative, and fun team that values diverse perspectives.
• Growth Opportunity:While a contract, this role offers significant exposure and the chance to expand your portfolio with impactful work.
• Hybrid Work Model:Enjoy flexibility with our hybrid work approach.
• Competitive Compensation:We offer a competitive contract rate commensurate with experience.

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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