Group Director, Brand Strategy (Health)

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. 

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're looking for:

As Group Strategy Director (Brand) you will partner with a renowned CPG giant to develop a portfolio of brands aimed at health professionals in the dermo-cosmetic category (think dermatologist and aestheticians) primarily, and potentially other portfolios that include well known dental and veterinarian driven brands. So, you will be at the forefront of dermo-cosmetics trends, anticipate opportunities and obsessively look for innovative ways to connect with your audiences. We are looking for someone who is passionate about the space, can collaborate to solve business challenges and knows how to leverage science/data and emotion to ensure relevance.

What you’ll do:

• Guide client team via strategic points of view/roadmaps to build their brands in an always evolving, cluttered category
• Proactively mine industry trends, cultural and audience insights to fuel breakthrough ideas.
• Challenge category cliches to ensure clear, resonant, and actionable brand and campaign strategies
• Oversee and/or execute brief development in collaboration with internal partners (Creative, Account, Engagement, Social)
• Help develop actionable segmentations to identify most valuable Professional audience (s), coms plans and messaging framework leading up to compelling narratives
• Lead innovative activations to engage audiences in unexpected but effective ways
• Co-lead development of social platforms and KOL/DOL programs
• Propose/sell-in/ lead high-impact strategic workshops. Ensure excellence in logistics, creativity of approach, and optimization potential

What you’ll need:

• 10-15+ years of experience in overall strategic planning and brand-building, having worked across complex brand portfolios in OTC/ personal care- skin health experience a plus
• Experience promoting to health professionals/ HCPs such as dermatologists, aestheticians, cosmetic nurses, dentists, dental assistants, etc.
• 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.
• As a critical and analytical thinker, innovator, and visionary, you will play a crucial role in inspiring creativity and guiding the team toward success.
• Managerial experience (leading & building a team)
• Qualitative and quantitative research proficiency 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Brand Launch experience is preferred
• Capable of independently drafting a creative brief based on client needs

 What We Offer:

• Passionate, driven people: We champion a culture of people who do extraordinary work.
• Consciously cultivated culture: We aim to embody the behaviors to build an inclusive community that is in it together, bringing b