Head of Brand - Regulated Client

Wunderman Thompson; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global agency is seeking a Head of Brand to oversee a global account in a Highly Regulated category. In this senior leadership role, you will manage integrated solutions across multiple agencies, ensure brand consistency, and drive performance in collaboration with various stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of brand leadership experience, a strong commercial acumen, and be adept at navigating complex stakeholder environments. The role offers the opportunity to influence a marquee global brand at scale, with a hybrid working model.

Benefits

Hybrid working model

Diversity and inclusion commitment

Qualifications

• 10+ years in brand/marketing leadership within agencies or consultancies.
• Deep experience in global brand management and cross-market alignment.
• Strong commercial acumen managing multimillion portfolios and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead global brand output in partnership with regional units.
• Drive a client-centric growth agenda and set a roadmap for brand performance.
• Champion co-creation with priority markets and maintain stakeholder relationships.

Skills

Brand management

Stakeholder engagement

Commercial acumen

Team leadership

Problem-solving

Job description

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.

Head of Brand (Global) — Highly Regulated

We’re hiring a Head of Brand to lead a global account in a Highly Regulated category. This is a senior, above‑agency leadership role that governs multi‑agency outputs, drives an idea‑led ecosystem across markets, and ensures consistent, high‑impact brand delivery worldwide.

About the role

• Serve as the senior partner to client brand leadership, orchestrating multiple capability agencies (design, packaging, comms, digital, social, retail, PR) to deliver integrated, commercially sound solutions.
• Govern global brand output in partnership with regional units and end markets, ensuring consistency, compliance, and alignment with strategy.
• Lead an ecosystem approach to campaigns—protect the core idea from inception through all touchpoints, not just key visuals.
• Drive a client‑centric growth agenda: identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and set a clear roadmap for brand performance.
• Partner closely with planning, creative leadership, and a programme delivery lead to run complex, cross‑agency workstreams.
• Champion genuine co‑creation with priority markets; expect multi‑stakeholder engagement and some travel.
• Own commercial outcomes: steer profitability, budget discipline, and long‑term growth.

What you’ll do

• Set direction and standards for brand governance and integrated delivery across regions.
• Lead solution‑focused troubleshooting and de‑risk major initiatives.
• Build high‑trust, peer‑level relationships; influence stakeholders with clarity and conviction.
• Establish operational cadence and handoffs across agencies; elevate the work through better process and sharper ideas.
• Drive continuous improvement through rigorous performance evaluation and actionable insight.

What you’ll bring

• 10+ years in brand/marketing leadership within agencies or consultancies, with proven multi‑agency orchestration.
• Deep experience in global brand management, cross‑market alignment, and complex stakeholder environments.
• Track record of leading senior client relationships, high‑stakes presentations, and integrated ecosystem campaigns.
• High EQ and gravitas: charming but firm; confident saying “no” with a better solution; resilient and politically savvy.
• Strong commercial acumen: managing multimillion portfolios, budgets, and growth targets.
• Exceptional communication, problem‑solving, and collaboration skills; balance strategic vision with operational detail.
• Category experience in Highly Regulated sectors is a plus but not required.

Why this role

• Shape a marquee global brand in a Highly Regulated category.
• Lead an above‑agency model with planning, creative leadership, and programme delivery support.
• Work at true global scale, moving from London “center” to real market co‑creation.

Ready to lead? Apply with your CV and a brief note highlighting relevant global, multi‑agency, and ecosystem campaign experience.

#LI-EMEA

Background & Culture

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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