Optimisation Principal

VML; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Pension

Medical Insurance

Job summary

VML seeks a visionary Optimisation Principal to lead global experimentation-led growth initiatives. You will shape strategy, manage budgets, and drive AI/analytics-enabled improvements across markets, working with senior clients and cross-functional teams.

The role requires deep technical grounding, strong leadership, and a passion for data-driven storytelling to deliver measurable ROI. Hybrid London-based, permanent position with a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Proven track record leading global optimisation programs.
• Strong background in data-driven decision making.

Responsibilities

• Lead global Optimisation activity and set strategic direction.
• Develop ELG frameworks and best practices.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to design, run and analyse experiments.

Skills

Leadership

Experimentation-Led Growth

Data-Driven

Stakeholder Management

Tools

Experiment platforms

Analytics suites

CMSs

CDPs

Recommendation engines

Job description

Who We Are

VML is a global creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce to create connected brands that drive growth. Guided by a Human First philosophy, VML is known for its innovative work for brands and consistently ranks among the world’s leading creative companies, including the WARC Creative 100.VML’s global network spans 55+ markets with principal offices in Buenos Aires, Kansas City, London, New York, São Paulo, Shanghai and Singapore.

VML is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel.

For more information, please visit www.vml.com and follow along on LinkedIn #WeAreVML.

We are seeking an experienced and visionary leader to spearhead our clients experimentation led growth initiatives. The Optimisation Principal will be responsible for defining and driving the overall growth strategy in partnership with our client, cultivating a culture of rapid learning, and ensuring sustainable business impact through a rigorous, data-driven approach.

What you’ll be doing:

Principal lead for all global Optimisation activity:

• Serve as the Principal lead for all global Optimisation activities, overseeing daily operations and strategic direction for the client.
• Develop a deep understanding of the client’s business landscape and challenges to identify and drive high-impact, growth-focused solutions.
• Manage program resources, budgets, and timelines, ensuring the successful, on-schedule, and in-scope delivery of both tactical and strategic initiatives.
• Leverage a strong commercial acumen to optimise resource allocation, monitor throughput, and rigorously track Return on Investment (ROI).
• Contribute to strategic forecasting and provide comprehensive performance reporting.
• Cultivate and maintain robust, strategic relationships with all client stakeholders across global regions.

Optimisation strategy:

• Champion Experimentation-Led Growth (ELG) across the organisation, fostering a mindset that moves beyond mere ‘optimisation’ to establish robust, evidence-driven operating systems.
• Define and implement a comprehensive ELG framework, methodologies, and best practices.
• Lead cross-functional teams to design, execute, and analyse experiments that drive key business metrics.
• Develop and scale an infrastructure for continuous testing, learning, and iteration.
• Translate complex data insights into actionable strategies that ensure sustained business impact.

Technical planning and delivery:

• Lead the technical planning and execution of all optimisation programs, leveraging in-depth knowledge of the underlying technology stack. This includes, but is not limited to, advanced experimentation platforms, comprehensive analytics suites, Content Management Systems (CMSs), Customer Data Platforms (CDPs), and sophisticated recommendation and personalisation engines.
• Architect integrated solutions by understanding the capabilities, limitations, and interoperability of these technologies, ensuring they are strategically deployed to maximise impact and deliver against growth objectives.

What we want from you:

This is a pivotal role demanding a unique blend of leadership, strategic thinking, deep technical grounding, and exceptional relationship-building.

Visionary Leadership & Strategic Thinking:

• Lead strategically: Transform complex business challenges into growth-focused optimisation strategies; set ambitious goals, build roadmaps, and understand the market.
• Inspire teams: Act as an influencer, fostering experimentation and continuous improvement; adept at leading, mentoring, communicating across levels, and driving change.
• Champion ELG: Instil an Experimentation-Led Growth mindset, moving beyond basic A/B testing to a systemic, evidence-driven approach with scientific rigor and strong hypothesis generation.
• Global perspective: Navigate diverse market needs, cultural nuances, and regional complexities to implement effective global strategies.

Deep Technical Expertise & Architectural Acumen:

• Profound knowledge of optimisation technologies and their integration for growth initiatives, including:
• Design integrated solutions, demonstrating how platforms work together seamlessly for business outcomes.
• Strong understanding of data infrastructure (pipelines, warehousing, governance) related to experimentation.

Flawless Execution & Program Management:

• Manage large-scale global programs: Meticulous planning, execution, and oversight, ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery.
• Proficiency in agile/waterfall methodologies, resource allocation, and risk management.
• Define and implement efficient processes and repeatable frameworks for experimentation, technical delivery, and reporting.

Data-Driven Acumen & Commercial Focus:

• Drive data-driven decisions: Leverage insights to identify opportunities, validate hypotheses, measure impact, and recommend strategy.
• Strong analytical skills, statistical understanding for A/B testing, and complex dataset interpretation.
• Sharp commercial acumen: Understand financial implications, tie initiatives to measurable ROI, and proficiency in forecasting & budgeting.
• Excel at performance reporting and compelling storytelling for diverse audiences (technical to executive).

Exceptional Client & Stakeholder Partnership:

• Build strong global client relationships: Act as a trusted advisor, practicing active listening and expert expectation management.
• Collaborate seamlessly: Work across product, engineering, marketing, and data science teams, influencing without direct authority.

What we can offer you:

Alongside the opportunity to work with some of the most exciting brands around the world, we’ll also prioritise your career development and help you grow your skills. We’ll empower you to make a difference, allow you to be yourself, and respect who you are.

Permanent only:
We offer a great benefits package including a discretionary bonus scheme, training opportunities, competitive pension, medical insurance, life assurance, social events, opportunities to buy and sell holidays, family friendly policies, discounts with hundreds of retailers and much more.

Our culture thrives on our core values, designed for impact-driven individuals: Heart, Brains and Courage.

We lead with Heart , fostering empathy and trust where genuine connections and human-centric work flourish.
We empower your Brains for innovation, valuing relentless curiosity and collaborative intelligence to solve complex challenges.
And we champion Courage , inspiring you to speak up, embrace experimentation, and advocate for bold solutions that push our thinking to be better than yesterday.

At WPP Enterprise Solutions

WPP Enterprise Solutions designs, builds, and operates the growth systems that competitive businesses rely on. In a world where Al is reshaping how companies drive growth, we lead clients in business transformation and marketing modernisation, connecting strategy directly to execution.

Our 12,000 experts in engineering and platforms, commerce, consulting, content transformation, CRM, and CX, work within a unified global operating unit across 40+ markets. WPP Enterprise Solutions works alongside best-in-class partners including Adobe, AWS, Braze, Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Shopify, as well as innovators in AI, to deliver growth solutions tailored to the needs of our clients’ businesses. We have received distinction as a leader in Commerce Services and CX Strategy Consulting by the Forrester Wave™

WPP Enterprise Solutions is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel.

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.