Group Director, Strategy & Insights

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.

At VMLY&R we’re reframing traditional planning for a more connected age. We have assembled a talented and diverse team of experts and are looking for a Group Planning Director who will be an active part of this growing global group.

Do you:

• People watch without being creepy?
• Get irritated when people confuse data points with insights?
• See an ad and immediately try to reconstruct the brief & insight that inspired the work?
• Live for the presentations where it’s impossible to tell where the strategy ends and the creative begins?

If the answer is “yes,” then you might be our next Group Planning Director. Read on.

We’re looking for someone who will:

• Lead a small group of fearless planners across a number of key national accounts
• Inspire great work and strategically bring it to life
• Advocate for people, actual people, for our creatives and clients
• Collaborate with other groups to identify and bring to life holistic, people-focused strategies across the entire audience journey.
• Write and deliver written and visual creative briefs
• Help influence and refine the vision for the brands they serve
• Create confidence with each and every client interaction
• Influence and challenge co-workers, partners and clients

You’re right for this job if:

• You believe brevity is a virtue
• You love the guts and glory of the creative process and get your hands dirty alongside the creative team
• You can bring a contrary point of view without being a career curmudgeon
• You’ve got 10-15 years’ experience in an insights or planning role
• You’ve got a depth of experience with consumer goods with a clear focus on retail strategies

The base salary for this position at the time of this posting may range from $125,000 to $295,000 . 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 here for more details.

At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization—creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers—who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.

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

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