Group Director, Brand Strategy (Health)

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

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Group Director of Brand Strategy to lead innovative brand initiatives in the dermo-cosmetic category. This role involves collaborating with a prominent CPG giant to develop compelling brand strategies that resonate with health professionals. The ideal candidate will have a wealth of experience in strategic planning, a passion for health and wellness, and the ability to inspire teams through creativity and data-driven insights. Join a forward-thinking agency that values connection and creativity, and be part of transformative health narratives that make a real impact.

Benefits

Health Coverage

401k Match

Paid Time Off

Professional Development

Qualifications

• 10-15+ years in strategic planning and brand-building.
• Experience with OTC/personal care and skin health is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Guide client teams to build brands in a cluttered category.
• Proactively mine trends and insights for breakthrough ideas.

Skills

Strategic Planning

Brand Building

Client Relationship Management

Cross-Stakeholder Engagement

Analytical Thinking

Team Leadership

Qualitative Research

Quantitative Research

Creative Briefing

Job description

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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.

WHERE YOU SHINE

As Group Strategy Director (Brand) you will partner with a renowned CPG giant to develop a portfolio of brands aimed at health professionals in the dermo-cosmetic category (think dermatologist and aestheticians) primarily, and potentially other portfolios that include well known dental and veterinarian driven brands. You will be at the forefront of dermo-cosmetics trends, anticipate opportunities and look for innovative ways to connect with your audiences. We seek someone passionate about the space, collaborative, and skilled in leveraging science/data and emotion for relevance.

What You'll Do

1. Guide client teams via strategic points of view/roadmaps to build their brands in an evolving, cluttered category.
2. Proactively mine industry trends, cultural and audience insights to fuel breakthrough ideas.
3. Challenge category cliches to ensure clear, resonant, and actionable brand and campaign strategies.
4. Oversee and/or execute brief development in collaboration with internal partners (Creative, Account, Engagement, Social).
5. Help develop actionable segmentations to identify most valuable Professional audiences, communication plans, and messaging frameworks leading to compelling narratives.
6. Lead innovative activations to engage audiences in unexpected but effective ways.
7. Co-lead development of social platforms and KOL/DOL programs.
8. Propose, lead high-impact strategic workshops, ensuring excellence in logistics, creativity, and optimization potential.

What you'll need

1. 10-15+ years of experience in strategic planning and brand-building, with experience across complex brand portfolios in OTC/personal care; skin health experience a plus.
2. Experience promoting to health professionals/HCPs such as dermatologists, aestheticians, cosmetic nurses, dentists, dental assistants, etc.
3. Ability to develop strong client relationships based on deep immersion in their business.
4. Highly collaborative with effective cross-stakeholder engagement skills.
5. Critical and analytical thinking, innovation, and visionary leadership to inspire creativity and guide teams.
6. Managerial experience in leading and building teams.
7. Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research.
8. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
9. Brand launch experience is preferred.
10. Ability to independently draft creative briefs based on client needs.

What We Offer

• Passionate, driven colleagues and a culture of extraordinary work.
• An inclusive, positive, and empowering work environment fostering creative bravery.
• Competitive benefits including health coverage, a 401k match, and paid time off.
• Growth opportunities with ongoing feedback, training, and professional development.

The base salary range is $100,000-$230,000 USD, with individual compensation based on various factors. We offer a comprehensive benefits package. Our hybrid work model involves teams in the office approximately four days a week, with accommodations available upon request.

WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.