Director Strategy

VML • Kansas City, MO

3d • $100,000 - $230,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

VML is a global creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce to create connected brands that drive growth. 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.

Requirements

• 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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• 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.

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
• Real-time feedback
• Growth-oriented mindset
• Plenty of training opportunities through VML and WPP

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: No Education Listed