Associate Director Strategy - Brand; 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.

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.

An Associate Director, Brand Strategy, to partner with a Group Director to lead research initiatives and manage multiple launch projects. This role demands a strategic thinker who can distill complex information into actionable insights, guide junior strategists, and collaborate effectively with creative teams.

• Define research objectives and select appropriate methodologies, ensuring clear summaries of insights and implications.
• Mentor junior strategists in analysis, framework development, and crafting insights and recommendations.
• Oversee the development of customer journeys, identifying marketing opportunities and addressing pain points.
• Develop insightful positioning statements based on brand understanding, audience analysis, and competitive differentiation.
• Collaborate with Medical to ensure accurate reflection of benefits and RTs.
• Guide junior strategists in brief development and outline requirements for background documents.
• Review and approve minor assets, provide feedback in creative reviews, and ensure alignment with the brief.
• Develop workshop proposals, manage logistics, and create materials.
• Collaborate with senior strategists on research needs, customer insights, and pitch deck development.

• A critical and analytical thinker, innovator, and visionary who inspires creativity.
• Adept at building strong client relationships based on business immersion.
• Highly collaborative and effective across internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communicator.

• 3‑5 years of experience in market research and strategic planning, with a focus on the healthcare industry.
• Demonstrated experience in leading research initiatives and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information and develop actionable insights.
• Proven ability to mentor and guide junior strategists, providing constructive feedback and support for professional growth.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively convey strategic recommendations to clients and internal teams.
• A deep understanding of customer journey mapping and its application in developing effective marketing strategies.
• Experience in developing insightful positioning statements and creative briefs.
• A collaborative and…