Director Strategy - Brand (Health)
Wundermanthompson · New York, New York, United States · Posted Jul 6, 2026
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Who We Are
VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human first, award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave™ Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement Optimization. In addition, VML’s specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world’s largest and most awarded health agencies. VML’s global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.
About WPP
WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com .
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 insightful Director, Strategy and Insights, to lead research initiatives and launch projects. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the healthcare industry, a passion for uncovering consumer insights, and a proven ability to translate complex information into actionable strategies. We seek a collaborative leader who can guide and mentor junior strategists, work effectively with creative teams, and build strong client relationships.
What You'll Do:
Lead and supervise junior strategists in developing comprehensive customer journeys, uncovering marketing and communication opportunities around key pain points.
Guide junior strategists through the research process, from setting clear objectives to selecting appropriate methodologies and ensuring robust analysis.
Structure research design to meet project needs and ensure key insights and implications are identified and clearly communicated.
Guide junior strategists in developing analytical frameworks and pressure-test their analyses, ensuring actionable implications and recommendations.
Craft insights that can unlock behavior changes, inform brand positioning, and drive creative "sparks."
Partner with Medical Strategy to develop a deep understanding of mechanisms of action (MOAs), potential benefits, reasons to believe (RTBs), and points of differentiation. Independently craft compelling and differentiated positioning statements.
Participate in and lead positioning workshops with clients, effectively communicating complex information and building consensus.
Collaborate with the Creative Director and Medical Strategy to prepare background briefing documents that provide context and strategic direction for creative development.
Develop workshop proposals, manage logistics, and create engaging materials. Lead junior strategists in formulating objectives, ideating approaches, and developing pre-reads and exercises.
Lead all background analyses and research for pitches, generating customer insights and developing compelling story arcs. Prepare critical elements/sections of the pitch deck.
Who You Are:
A critical and analytical thinker, innovator, and visionary who inspires creativity.
A collaborative leader with experience in mentoring and guiding junior strategists.
Adept at building strong client relationships based on deep business immersion.
Capable of independently drafting creative briefs based on client needs.
Highly collaborative and able to work effectively across internal and external stakeholders.
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