Director Strategy

VML HEALTH; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Hybrid work schedule

Growth opportunities

Job summary

VML Health, a global healthcare agency within VML, seeks a strategic and driven Group Director of Engagement Strategy to lead our team. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in healthcare marketing, a passion for CX, and deep omnichannel expertise to connect strategy with client outcomes.

You will build strong client relationships, mentor junior strategists, manage complex projects, and guide strategy across multiple major accounts.

Qualifications

• 7–13 years in market research, strategic planning, and CX in healthcare.
• Proven experience mentoring teams and developing talent.
• Strong understanding of omnichannel strategy across channels.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build senior-level client relationships.
• Experience in creating compelling client presentations.
• In-depth knowledge of healthcare marketing dynamics.
• Collaborative, proactive, and deadline-driven.

Responsibilities

• Develop understanding of clients' customers across the journey.
• Lead engagement and omnichannel strategy across channels.
• Guide Associate Directors and Directors in strategy development.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on strategies.
• Manage senior client relationships as strategic partner.
• Lead strategy deliverables and workshops.
• Support new business pitches.

Skills

Market research

Strategic planning

Customer experience

Omnichannel strategy

Analytical thinking

Client relationships

Leadership

Presentations

Collaboration

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.

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.

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

A strategic and driven Group Director of Engagement Strategy to lead and inspire our team. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in healthcare marketing, a passion for CX, and a deep understanding of omnichannel strategy. We seek a leader who can build strong client relationships, manage complex projects, and mentor junior strategists to reach their full potential.

What You’ll Do

• Develop a deep understanding of our clients’ customers’ wants, needs, and behaviors across the full customer journey.
• Oversee the development and orchestration of engagement and omnichannel strategy, connecting strategic goals to engagement priorities and channel-specific strategies (e.g., social, CRM, website, paid media, apps, rep-delivered, and more).
• Provide guidance and support to Associate Directors and Directors in strategy development.
• Collaborate effectively with other strategists, Client Engagement, Medical, and Creative disciplines on business, brand, and communications strategies.
• Engage with and help manage senior client relationships as a key strategic and business partner.
• Set expectations for how the segment/audience profile fits into the project and how it helps set the stage.
• Oversee strategic development on at least one major client and/or oversee multiple clients.
• Recognize how to motivate junior strategists, understanding their learning needs and areas of contribution.
• Provide key support and partnership in leading key strategy deliverables, guiding the strategic direction related to our clients’ brand development and marketing approach.
• Continuously seek to improve client work, actively analyzing client challenges and opportunities.
• Challenge the team to uncover innovative tools and ideas and pursue growth opportunities.
• Demonstrate and inspire the team to take risks and challenge convention.
• Lead workshop planning and proposals, developing measurement strategies, analytics approaches, CX planning, tactical exercises, content generation, and presentation strategies.
• Lead and support strategy development on new business pitches.

Who You Are

• A critical and analytical thinker, innovator, and visionary who inspires creativity.
• Passionate, familiar, and curious about the CX practice.
• Able to develop strong client relationships and trust based on deep immersion in the client’s business.
• Highly collaborative and able to work effectively across internal and external stakeholders.
• An excellent communicator, both written and verbal.
• A strong leader and mentor.

What You’ll Need

• 7-13 years of experience in market research, strategic planning, and customer experience (CX), with a demonstrated focus on the healthcare industry.
• Proven experience in managing and mentoring teams, with a focus on developing and fostering talent.
• A deep understanding of omnichannel strategy and the ability to connect strategic goals to engagement priorities across various channels.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and address complex business challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong client relationships at the senior level.
• Experience in developing and delivering compelling presentations and proposals to clients and prospects.
• A strong understanding of the healthcare industry, including HCP and DTC marketing dynamics.
• A collaborative and team-oriented approach to work, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• A proactive and self-motivated work style, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.

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.

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,

$100,000—$230,000 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.