Strategy Manager

VML; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading multinational consultancy in London is seeking a Strategy Manager to lead strategy and transformation projects. The ideal candidate will have over 7 years of experience in strategy or management consulting, particularly in the banking sector. Responsibilities include project ownership, team leadership, and fostering collaboration. The company offers flexible working, competitive vacation, and a supportive environment for professional growth. Join a team that values creativity and drives client success.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

25 days of vacation plus extra holidays

Personalized career plan

Access to training

Exclusive discounts

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in strategy, management consulting, or similar roles.
• Strong exposure to banking or financial services, with deep understanding of products.
• Proven experience in operating models and change management.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end strategy and transformation projects.
• Support strategic business initiatives with deep analysis.
• Design and drive operating model and change management initiatives.

Skills

Strategy development

Leadership

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field

Master's degree or MBA (highly desirable)

Job description

Who We Are:

At VML, Human First is our guiding creative philosophy: we create value for people first, knowing this drives authentic and sustainable brand impact. We are a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse. We connect Brand Experience, Customer Experience, and Commerce to craft unified, emotionally resonant consumer journeys. Our 26,000 people across 50-plus markets are the heart of our company. Their perspectives, local expertise, and cultural insights drive creativity and innovation, making talent our most critical competitive advantage.

This is the challenge

At VML The Cocktail, we are looking for people who are not afraid of speed. Specifically, we are looking for someone capable of understanding complex technology and business challenges, translating them into clear strategic direction for our clients, and helping them move decisively forward. Our Strategy team leads end-to-end projects across multiple industries (banking, insurance, travel, energy, among others) from a perspective that is far from traditional consulting. We combine strategy, creativity, data, design and technology to drive real transformation. We are looking for a Strategy Manager with strong experience in strategy and transformation, who is excited about leading complex initiatives, growing teams, and helping shape a fast‑growing consulting practice.

What you'll be doing

• Lead end-to-end strategy and transformation projects, from initial hypothesis and proposal through execution and delivery.
• Take full ownership of project planning, milestones, and outcomes, ensuring high-quality delivery and measurable business impact.
• Support strategic business initiatives by providing deep analysis, insights, and a strong understanding of business context and objectives.
• Lead and mentor teams, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
• Design and drive operating model and change management initiatives, supporting organizational transformation.
• Articulate insights and recommendations in clear, compelling executive-level presentations.
• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams (UX, UI, Brand, Data, Technology, etc.) to design and implement innovative solutions.
• Facilitate workshops and working sessions to actively involve clients in VML The Cocktail's creative and strategic process.
• Identify client needs and opportunities that may lead to new business proposals.
• Stay up to date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and global business dynamics to continuously evolve our strategic offering.

What we want from you

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Management or a related field. Master's degree or MBA is highly desirable.
• 7+ years of experience in strategy, management consulting, corporate development or similar roles.
• Strong exposure to banking or financial services, with a deep understanding of products, operations, regulatory environments and competitive dynamics.
• Proven experience in operating models and change management, designing and driving organizational transformations.
• Demonstrated ability to take strategic plans from concept to execution with tangible business results.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; comfortable working with complex data, KPIs and business models.
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills; confident engaging with senior leadership.
• Strong leadership capabilities, with experience leading teams and influencing without direct authority.
• Autonomous, proactive and comfortable in fast‑paced, high‑growth environments.
• Strong appetite for digital ecosystems and innovation.

Working at VML The Cocktail

• Flexible working hours
• 25 days of vacation per year + Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve off if they fall on weekdays
• Personalized career plan and continuous training
• English training classes
• No dress code - come to work as you like
• Exclusive discounts and time for personal growth
• Access to Cobee, our flexible compensation system
• Initiatives supporting parenthood, equality and diversity

Thus we are

VML The Cocktail is a multinational consultancy whose mission is to accelerate the sustainable growth of our clients. We mobilize large organizations to improve the relationship between brands and people through Design, Data and Technology. Our culture is based on diversity, creativity, and the collaboration of specialists across strategy, design, technology, data and research. Careers at VML The Cocktail are defined by exponential growth and participation in projects with real impact. We believe it is better to ask for forgiveness than permission. We value a disruptive mindset, critical thinking, nonconformity and a passion for excellence.

Next steps

If you've made it this far, it means we've caught your attention. Apply for the role and our People team will review your CV. If it matches what we're looking for, we'll get in touch to get to know each other better and tell you more about VML The Cocktail and the role. One tip for the process: just be yourself. Are you ready to transform the way we work? 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.