Associate Director Strategy

VML; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

VML is seeking an Associate Director, Growth Strategy to lead the interrogation of data to fuel strategy, insights, and direction for clients. You will partner with Strategy, Client Engagement, Creative, and Media teams to translate consumer insights into actionable growth opportunities.

We value a senior analytics voice, strong leadership, and the ability to synthesize complex data into clear storytelling. This role supports hybrid work with collaboration across global teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field; advanced degree preferred.
• 6–8 years of strategy and analytics experience.
• Agency/CPG/research or consulting background desirable.
• Exceptional storytelling and data synthesis skills.
• Leadership experience with direct reports preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead data interrogation to identify core growth opportunities for clients.
• Translate complex insights into clear, actionable strategies.
• Collaborate with Strategy, Client Engagement, Creative, and Media teams.
• Integrate AI tools into strategic workflows to speed insights.
• Develop case studies to showcase impact and win awards.

Skills

Strategic analytics

Growth strategy

Data storytelling

AI tooling

Education

Bachelor's degree in quantitative field

Advanced degree a plus

Tools

MRI Simmons

Circana

Nielsen

Mintel

Numerator

Job description

Who We Are

VML is a global creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce to create connected brandsthat 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.

Who we are looking for:

VML is seeking anAssociateDirector,Growth Strategyto leadthe interrogation of data to fuel strategy,insightsand direction for our clients.You are an experienced people leader and a senior \"strategic analytics voice\" within the agency,orchestrating the daily strategic output for assigned accounts.Working in close collaboration with Strategy, Client Engagement, Creative, and Media teams, you will provide a consultative perspective on brandobjectives,identifyinggrowth opportunities and translatingconsumer and shopper insights into actionable strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Product

• Growth Mining & Consulting:


• Interrogate and connect disparate data sets - including first party client data, shopper panels, and retailer-specific platforms - to uncover core business problems andidentifyemergent growth opportunities in partnership with senior leadership.


• Strategic Craft & Storytelling:


• Translate disparate data sets and complex insights into clear, compelling, and actionable storylines. Focus onidentifyingthe \"Why\" behind the data to inform communications and retail initiatives,and actionable \"jobs to be done\" for brands,retailersand key channels.


• Opportunity Sizing:


• Size a brand's market opportunity based on client briefs andobjectives, providing data-driven estimations and \"Growth Mining\" outputs.


• Audience Intelligence:


• Support audience growth strategy byleveragingdata sources (MRI Simmons, Circana, Numerator) to develop comprehensive audience personas that contextualize consumer behaviorand inform strategic planning.


• Strategic Contribution:


• Support thedeep-diveintoBusiness (problems to solve), Culture (emergent trends), and Human (behaviors and barriers) toidentifyclear opportunities for growth.


• AI Engineering & Prompting:


• Integrate VML and WPP Open's proprietary AI tools and emerging technologies into the strategic workflow to increase speed-to-insight and creative innovation.


• Research Tools& Strategic Intelligence:


• Conduct thorough market research and competitive audits using database tools such as MRI Simmons, Mintel, Infegy, and YPulse toidentifytrends and potential threats.


• Leverage sales and shopper panel data (e.g.,Circana, Nielsen, or Numerator) to uncover core business problems and sizemarket opportunities.


• Execute detailedcompetitive analysis to understand gaps in strategy and performance versusthe competition.


• Support broader regional or global strategic asks, ensuring consistency in strategic analytics methodology and approach across diverse markets.


• Awards & Recognition:


• Identifyand draft compelling case studies for industry awards (e.g.,Effies, WARC, Cannes Lions) toshowcasethe agency's best-in-class work and the impact and effectiveness for our clients

Strategic Process

• Business Development Contribution :


• Identifyandcommunicateopportunities to grow client business, contributing to the overall success of the agency. Supports new business pitches by developing strategic insights,contributing topitchpresentations, and providing strategic inputs for RFIs/RFPs.


• Briefing & Ideation:


• Partner with Strategy and Creative leads to ensure the briefing process is fueled by rigorous data, ensuring ideas are grounded in measurableconsumerrealities.


• Time Management Support:


• Oversee and effectively manage timelines and deliverables for multiple projects simultaneously, following up on outstanding issues to remove blockers and obstacles to move work forward.

Management

People Management

• Client Engagement:


• Serve as a keystrategicanalytics and growth consultingpoint of contact forclientsby presenting data-driven growth opportunities and explaining the \"why\" behindconsumerbehavior to ensure strategic alignment.


• Internal Collaboration:


• Act asa\"strategic analytics voice\" within the agency, evangelizing data-driven insights and collaborating closely with Client Engagement, Creative,Mediaand Strategy teams to ensure analytical rigorareintegrated throughout the strategic process.


• Work closely with Creative and Media teams to provide the strategic \"proof points\" and retailer insights needed to bridge the gap between creative ideas andbusiness outcomes.


• Mentorship & Guidance:


• Manage and provide oversight to junior resources on the team,providing day-to-day oversight and guidance, supporting their workload and career development.


• Set the bar for what \"great\" looks like by providing consistent, actionable feedback and lead the necessary conversations to course-correct when needed.


• Support the translation of raw data into actionable insights for the wider strategy team.


• Promote a culture of analytical curiosity, accuracy, and positive team environment.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in a quantitative field (e.g., Business Intelligence, Statistics, Economics), Marketing, Social Sciences, or related field. An advanced degree in a quantitative field such as Statistics, Social Science Research, or Economics a plus.


• Leadership Experience: Demonstratedexperience (or clear readiness) to formally manage and develop direct reports, including performance management and career pathing.


• Strategy& AnalyticsExperience 6-8years of progressive work experience performing strategy and consumer insights.


• Industry Background: Experience within an agency, CPG company, research company, or consulting firm is preferred.


• Technical Skills: Applied experience with database tools (MRI Simmons, Mintel) and sales/panel data platforms (Circana, Numerator, Nielsen)is strongly preferred, or experience with retail-specific data platforms (e.g., Walmart Scintilla).


• Communication: Exceptional storytelling skills; abilitysimplifycomplex data, handle difficult client questions, and translate complex strategy into clear business logic for senior audiences.

Additional Considerations:

• Active participation in industry organizations and events.

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.