Senior Strategist

twentysix; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

VML in London is seeking a senior strategic lead to steer global and UK brand direction for iconic consumer brands, and shape growth trajectories across multiple markets. You will translate insights into briefs that energize creative teams and confidently own the client room during strategy discussions, presenting compelling narratives that connect data, culture and business aims.

Collaborating across client, creative and planning teams, you will balance global frameworks with local resonance to

Qualifications

• Experience leading strategic direction for global brands.
• Ability to translate insights into briefs that excite creative teams.
• Strong presence in client meetings and ability to influence outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Define the creative strategy for global frameworks and market activations.
• Partner with social teams to bring ideas to life in culture.
• Serve as the strategic voice in client meetings and internal briefings.
• Balance global consistency with local market resonance while driving growth.

Skills

Brand strategy

Creative briefing

Client leadership

Insight generation

Job description

Who We Are

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 WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company - powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.

What We're Looking For

You've done your time on the tools. You know how to build an insight, write a brief that excites a creative team, and hold your ground in a client room. This role is the next step: leading the strategic direction on iconic global and UK brands, with the creative ambition and commercial rigour to match.

You'll operate with confidence across client, creative and planning teams. You'll be the trusted strategic voice in the room - not just the person who fills the deck before the meeting. You know how brands work. You know how people work. And you're hungry to prove that communications can make a measurable difference.

Your Accounts

FMCG Client - Consumer Batteries - Global Strategy

This is one of the world's most recognisable brands - and this role puts you at the centre of defining what it stands for culturally. Our work on this client has won the APG Grand Prix, Effie, WARC and IPA Awards. This is a rare opportunity to build on a genuinely celebrated body of work.

You'll define the creative strategy for global frameworks and individual market activations, working closely with the social team to bring ideas to life in culture. You'll need:

• A sharp instinct for cultural relevance; the ability to identify the partnerships, moments and platforms that make a famous brand feel genuinely alive to people.

• The ability to set creative strategy at a global level while adapting it meaningfully for individual markets; holding the tension between consistency and local resonance.