Group Director Strategy - Engagement; 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.

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.

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

• 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.

• 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…