Associate Director, Brand Strategy (Health)

Wunderman Thompson; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading agency is seeking an Associate Director of Brand Strategy in New York. This role involves leading research initiatives, mentoring junior team members, and developing brand positioning strategies. Ideal candidates will have experience in the healthcare industry and demonstrate strong analytical and strategic skills.

Benefits

401k match up to 5%

Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision)

Paid time off

Growth-oriented culture with training opportunities

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in market research and strategic planning.
• Experience in leading research initiatives in the healthcare sector.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to synthesize complex data.

Responsibilities

• Define research objectives and select methodologies.
• Mentor junior strategists in analysis and insights.
• Oversee development of customer journeys and marketing opportunities.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Strategic thinking

Project management

Communication skills

Collaboration

Job description

Associate Director, Brand Strategy (Health)

Associate Director, Brand Strategy (Health)

2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

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.

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.

About VML Health

VML HEALTH is a global healthcare agency that partners with healthcare clients across a broad definition of health, from high science to wellness and everything in between. It operates fluidly within the VML agency, as a core group of health specialists (a ‘vertical’) that has the benefit of autonomy in management, but with support of non-health expertise.

At the heart of health is the story of life – all the highs and lows, ambitions, and possibilities. But facing a health challenge can suddenly pull people away from these stories, knocking them off course.

Our purpose is to bridge this gap, bringing people closer to life and all its meaning. We gain a deeper understanding of Healthcare Professionals’ and patients’ needs, behaviors and lived experiences through what we call ‘radical empathy’.

VML Health creates connected brands that get to the heart, bringing people closer to the lives they want to live. Get to the heart. Connect for life.

What We Are Looking For

An Associate Director, Brand Strategy, to partner with a Group Director to lead research initiatives and manage multiple launch projects. This role demands a strategic thinker who can distill complex information into actionable insights, guide junior strategists, and collaborate effectively with creative teams.

What You’ll Do

• Define research objectives and select appropriate methodologies, ensuring clear summaries of insights and implications.
• Mentor junior strategists in analysis, framework development, and crafting insights and recommendations.
• Oversee the development of customer journeys, identifying marketing opportunities and addressing pain points.
• Develop insightful positioning statements based on brand understanding, audience analysis, and competitive differentiation.
• Collaborate with Medical to ensure accurate reflection of benefits and RTs.
• Guide junior strategists in brief development and outline requirements for background documents.
• Review and approve minor assets, provide feedback in creative reviews, and ensure alignment with the brief.
• Develop workshop proposals, manage logistics, and create materials.
• Collaborate with senior strategists on research needs, customer insights, and pitch deck development.
  
  

Who You Are

• A critical and analytical thinker, innovator, and visionary who inspires creativity.
• Adept at building strong client relationships based on business immersion.
• Highly collaborative and effective across internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communicator.
  
  

What You’ll Need

• 3-5 years of experience in market research and strategic planning, with a focus on the healthcare industry.
• Demonstrated experience in leading research initiatives and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information and develop actionable insights.
• Proven ability to mentor and guide junior strategists, providing constructive feedback and support for professional growth.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively convey strategic recommendations to clients and internal teams.
• A deep understanding of customer journey mapping and its application in developing effective marketing strategies.
• Experience in developing insightful positioning statements and creative briefs.
• A collaborative and team-oriented approach to work, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including creative and medical.
  
  

What We Offer

• Passionate, driven people: We champion a culture of people who do extraordinary work.
• Consciously cultivated culture: We aim to embody the behaviors to build an inclusive community that is in it together, bringing both positivity and active listening into the workplace as we simultaneously strive to empower creative bravery.
• Competitive benefits: What we offer full-time hires ranges from the full spectrum of group health coverage options (medical, dental, vision) to a generous 401k match (100% dollar-for-dollar match, up to 5% of salary contribution), and a variety of paid time off offerings that reflect our investment in all aspects of your overall life balance and wellness.
• Growth-minded opportunities: We aim to nurture a culture of real-time feedback, a growth-oriented mindset, and plenty of training opportunities through VML and WPP so you can continue to grow personally and professionally.
  
  

#vmlhealthcareers

The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, click WPP Benefits for more details.

_

$75,000—$180,000 USD

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, andX.

When you click "Submit Application", this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through our Recruitment Privacy Policy. California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice. This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Marketing and Sales

• Industries

  Advertising Services

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