Associate Director, Brand Strategy (Health)

About the position

VML Health is seeking an Associate Director, Brand Strategy, to partner with a Group Director in leading research initiatives and managing multiple launch projects. This role requires a strategic thinker capable of distilling complex information into actionable insights, mentoring junior strategists, and collaborating effectively with creative teams. The position is integral to developing customer journeys, identifying marketing opportunities, and ensuring accurate reflection of benefits in collaboration with Medical teams.

Responsibilities

• Define research objectives and select appropriate methodologies, ensuring clear summaries of insights and implications.
• Mentor junior strategists in analysis, framework development, and crafting insights and recommendations.
• Oversee the development of customer journeys, identifying marketing opportunities and addressing pain points.
• Develop insightful positioning statements based on brand understanding, audience analysis, and competitive differentiation.
• Collaborate with Medical to ensure accurate reflection of benefits and RTs.
• Guide junior strategists in brief development and outline requirements for background documents.
• Review and approve minor assets, provide feedback in creative reviews, and ensure alignment with the brief.
• Develop workshop proposals, manage logistics, and create materials.
• Collaborate with senior strategists on research needs, customer insights, and pitch deck development.

Requirements

• 3-5 years of experience in market research and strategic planning, with a focus on the healthcare industry.
• Demonstrated experience in leading research initiatives and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information and develop actionable insights.
• Proven ability to mentor and guide junior strategists, providing constructive feedback and support for professional growth.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively convey strategic recommendations to clients and internal teams.
• A deep understanding of customer journey mapping and its application in developing effective marketing strategies.
• Experience in developing insightful positioning statements and creative briefs.
• A collaborative and team-oriented approach to work, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including creative and medical.

Benefits

• Full spectrum of group health coverage options (medical, dental, vision).
• Generous 401k match (100% dollar-for-dollar match, up to 5% of salary contribution).
• Variety of paid time off offerings.
• Culture of real-time feedback and growth-oriented mindset.
• Training opportunities through VML and WPP.