Group Director, Engagement Strategy

Wunderman Thompson; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a strategic Group Director of Engagement Strategy to lead and inspire a talented team. This role requires a visionary leader with a proven track record in healthcare marketing and customer experience, who can build strong client relationships and manage complex projects. You will oversee the development of omnichannel strategies, guiding the team in delivering innovative solutions that resonate with clients and their customers. Join a forward-thinking agency that champions creativity and collaboration, and play a key role in shaping impactful marketing strategies that bridge the gap between healthcare and human experience.

Benefits

Medical Coverage

Dental Coverage

Vision Coverage

401k Match

Paid Time Off

Training Opportunities

Flexible Work Arrangements

Qualifications

• 7-13 years of experience in healthcare marketing and CX.
• Proven ability to manage and mentor teams effectively.
• Strong understanding of omnichannel marketing strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of engagement and omnichannel strategies.
• Manage senior client relationships and oversee multiple projects.
• Mentor junior strategists and foster their development.

Skills

Healthcare Marketing

Customer Experience (CX)

Omnichannel Strategy

Strategic Planning

Market Research

Analytical Skills

Problem Solving

Client Relationship Management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Tools

Presentation Software

Analytics Tools

Job description

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:

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.

#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.

_ $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.

VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn,and X .

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 ourRecruitment Privacy Policy. California residents should read ourCalifornia 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.