VP, Strategy

UM Worldwide; New York (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Employee stock purchase program

Paid family benefits

Dental coverage

Job summary

UM Worldwide in New York is seeking a senior strategy partner with 10+ years of agency or consulting experience to lead project delivery, drive audience insights, and shape client solutions across media and digital channels.

You will manage analysts, collaborate with cross‑functional teams, design research, present data‑driven recommendations, and build trusted client relationships while ensuring deadline‑driven, high‑quality outputs.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to translate insights into actionable strategies.
• Strong presentation and storytelling of data-driven recommendations.
• Experience converting quantitative and qualitative research into client solutions.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with cross‑functional agency team to drive strategic thinking
• Utilise attitudinal/behavioural data sources to identify high‑value audience
• Tell data‑driven stories and use performance metrics to build strategies
• Formulate target audience recommendations and communication strategies
• Design and conduct primary quantitative and qualitative research
• Map and create custom journeys across customer journeys
• Facilitate audience workshops and provide inputs into media planning
• Manage analysts on project work and support their development
• Develop relationships with clients as a strategic thought partner
• Manage internal relationships to drive efficiencies across departments

Skills

Client relationship management

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Data storytelling

Audience insights

Job description

Position Overview

UM is a global media agency committed to future‑proofing our clients’ businesses. We leverage the transformational power of rich business analytics and real‑time intelligence to maximize growth and activate the full consumer journey across content and connections.

The strategy team at UM unearths consumer insights and behaviours to define and optimise the target audience and drive business goals for our clients. Both strategic planning and analytics are key dimensions to our work. We identify unique connection opportunities based on audience emotions and behaviours through proprietary research and data and translate them into actionable insights for media, content, and social marketing.

To succeed in Strategy, candidates must demonstrate a strong work ethic, exceptional analytical skills, and a knack for converting insights into creative, actionable recommendations for our clients. We are fiercely committed to delivering high‑quality analysis, in a structured, thoughtful presentation, with strict attention to deadlines and deliverables. An ability to communicate effectively and efficiently in both written and oral form and build trusted internal and external relationships are also key. Backgrounds in agency and consulting organisations are desired, as skills in analysing and presenting information are honed.

This position is suited to a strategist with 10 years’ experience working in a similar agency environment or in a management‑consulting firm. The Partner will be responsible for the day‑to‑day management and execution of projects/assignment.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with cross‑functional agency team to drive strategic thinking
• Utilise a variety of attitudinal and behavioural data sources available to us (e.g., DMP, Acxiom) to identify high‑value audience
• Telling data‑driven stories and using data + performance metrics to build strategies + client solutions
• Formulate target audience recommendations and communication strategies that help prioritise our media investment and partnerships
• Design and conduct primary quantitative and qualitative research, generating audience insights to inform strategic recommendations and tactical execution
• Mapping and creating custom journeys and building strategies + solutions across customer journeys
• Facilitate audience workshops and provide inputs into media and tactical planning
• Manage analysts on project work and support their career development
• Develop relationships with clients as a strategic thought partner
• Manage internal relationships with other departments, identifying opportunities for efficiencies in working relationships and cross‑departmental processes and hand‑offs (e.g. Client Lead, Research, Media Planning, Digital, Programmatic)

Required Skills and Experience

• Client relationship development and management
• Strong analytical/logical thinking
• Ability to synthesize data/research into concise action‑oriented strategies
• Great presentation and communication skills
• Quantitative and qualitative research skills to inform 4C insights (Culture, Category, Company and Consumer)
• Deep understanding not only of how to build audiences but also a broader understanding of different audience solutions – from building custom solutions to the different types of off‑the‑shelf solutions available
• Deep understanding of data solutions (1st, 2nd and 3rd party) – how to access, use and activate
• Understanding of the Digital marketing technologies, including ad‑tech and martech solutions
• Familiarity with different media and digital channels (e.g., TV, web, mobile, CRM, social media, search)
• Familiarity with multi‑channel measurement and attribution solutions

Desired Skills and Experience

• Background in strategy and/or consulting in digital or database marketing
• Demonstrated project management experience; either managing a small project or small team within a larger project or experience in managing deliverables/ project timeline
• Experience working with large, complex data, including audience data from DMP, Acxiom, etc.
• Experience working with global teams at large Fortune 2000 companies
• Collaborating within an agency and with extended marketing council of agencies

Wage and Benefits

We offer a Total Rewards package that includes medical and dental coverage, 401(k) plans, flex spending, life insurance, disability, employee discount program, employee stock purchase program and paid family benefits to support you and your family.

The salary range for this position is posted below. Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position, market considerations, budgetary considerations, tenure and standing with the Company (applicable to current employees), as well as the employee’s/applicant’s skill set, level of experience and qualifications.

Employment Transparency

It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, veteran status, disability or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state or local law.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. The job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and other job functions are subject to modification. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.