Data Planning Director

VML South Africa; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

VML is seeking a Data Planning Director to partner with clients, navigating their challenges and connecting across VML and WPP to deliver world‑class data, martech, analytics and AI services.

You will lead a team of data, technology and business consultants, drive proposals, and help grow the data offer across disciplines with strategic thought leadership.

Qualifications

• Exceptional experience leading across data and analytics in a consulting/agency environment, setting up teams and operating models with clients.
• Belief in the value of data‑driven marketing & AI to deliver exceptional results.
• Experience building relationships with clients from junior to C‑suite and managing complex personalities.
• Ability to unify groups from across a wide skill set behind a clear brief or goal and deliver excellent work for clients.
• Strong presentation skills and active listening to create clear actions that meet client needs.
• Love for data‑driven marketing and continuous engagement with emerging trends.
• Significant experience in scoping, resourcing, and developing commercial proposals.
• Knowledge of data and analytics technologies across the marketing and digital ecosystem, including media, commerce, social and digital platforms, CRM & loyalty.
• Knowledge of analytics solutions and how AI can be leveraged in marketing to drive growth.
• Understanding of data strategy consulting (data landscape, data management, governance, roadmap, use‑case development), Analytics & AI (segmentation, predictive modelling, measurement & reporting, AI marketing applications), Marketing technologies (data cloud solutions, clean rooms, analytics and reporting tools, CDPs, CRM, marketing automation, AI technologies), and Marketing operations (operating models, process design, governance, data culture and skills development, client enablement and business change).

Responsibilities

• Direct a team of data, technology and business consultants, analysts and engineers, overseeing client briefs and managing team workload.
• Motivate the team to help them achieve their goals and deliver brilliant work for VML’s clients.
• Act as a strategic partner and advisor, helping clients to leverage the power of data, martech, analytics and AI to achieve their goals and drive effectiveness and efficiency.
• Develop proposals and methodologies for Data Planning (data‑driven journey design, targeting, personalization, test and learn); Analytics & Data Science solutions (customer analytics, digital analytics, business intelligence and AI); and Data & Analytics consulting (data, marketing technology, AI and operations).
• Inspire clients and VML with thought‑leadership and best practice.
• Work closely with clients to diagnose and solve challenges, support their data & AI vision, and make it happen.
• Drive client success and satisfaction in all activities.
• Lead new business pitches as a data and analytics lead to deliver winning proposals and presentations.
• Continuously bring new ideas and opportunities to grow existing clients and expand the data offer within other disciplines.

Job description

About VML and WPP

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 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 the role

VML is seeking a Data Planning Director to be a trusted partner to our clients, navigating their business, understanding their challenges and connecting across VML, as well as WPP at large, to ensure we are set up to deliver success with world‑class services and solutions.

Responsibilities

• Direct a team of data, technology and business consultants, analysts and engineers, overseeing client briefs and managing team workload.
• Motivate the team to help them achieve their goals and deliver brilliant work for VML’s clients.
• Act as a strategic partner and advisor, helping clients to leverage the power of data, martech, analytics and AI to achieve their goals and drive effectiveness and efficiency.
• Develop proposals and methodologies for Data Planning (data‑driven journey design, targeting, personalization, test and learn); Analytics & Data Science solutions (customer analytics, digital analytics, business intelligence and AI); and Data & Analytics consulting (data, marketing technology, AI and operations).
• Inspire clients and VML with thought‑leadership and best practice.
• Work closely with clients to diagnose and solve challenges, support their data & AI vision, and make it happen.
• Drive client success and satisfaction in all activities.
• Lead new business pitches as a data and analytics lead to deliver winning proposals and presentations.
• Continuously bring new ideas and opportunities to grow existing clients and expand the data offer within other disciplines.

Qualifications

• Exceptional experience leading across data and analytics in a consulting/agency environment, setting up teams and operating models with clients.
• Belief in the value of data‑driven marketing & AI to deliver exceptional results.
• Experience building relationships with clients from junior to C‑suite and managing complex personalities.
• Ability to unify groups from across a wide skill set behind a clear brief or goal and deliver excellent work for clients.
• Strong presentation skills and active listening to create clear actions that meet client needs.
• Love for data‑driven marketing and continuous engagement with emerging trends.
• Significant experience in scoping, resourcing, and developing commercial proposals.
• Knowledge of data and analytics technologies across the marketing and digital ecosystem, including media, commerce, social and digital platforms, CRM & loyalty.
• Knowledge of analytics solutions and how AI can be leveraged in marketing to drive growth.
• Understanding of data strategy consulting (data landscape, data management, governance, roadmap, use‑case development), Analytics & AI (segmentation, predictive modelling, measurement & reporting, AI marketing applications), Marketing technologies (data cloud solutions, clean rooms, analytics and reporting tools, CDPs, CRM, marketing automation, AI technologies), and Marketing operations (operating models, process design, governance, data culture and skills development, client enablement and business change).

Additional Information

At VML, we are committed to fostering an all‑inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career‑forward. We follow equal opportunity employment principles and consider applicants for all positions without discrimination. Our organization values connection, belonging, and the power of differences.