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Global Head of Strategy & Planning

VML

Department: Strategy

Location: London, United Kingdom

Requisition ID: 12012

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. 

Global Head of Strategy and Planning – Regulated Industry

Location: London, some potential for travel

Reports to: Global Client Lead

 

 

About the Role

The Global Head of Strategy and Planning will be the strategic architect and visionary leader behind a globally unified marketing approach for one of our clients flagship products.  This individual will define, articulate, and champion the category and brand’s strategic vision—translating complex insights and business objectives into clear, inspiring narratives that drive creativity, consistency, and performance across all markets.

 

Acting as both a strategic leader and a trusted client partner, you will oversee all aspects of brand strategy, integrated planning, and cross-market alignment. You will ensure that every initiative—global or local—is rooted in insight, guided by purpose, and measured by impact.

 

Key Responsibilities

 

  1. Brand Vision and Definition
  • Own and articulate the global brand vision, ensuring it remains clear, differentiated, and culturally relevant across markets.
  • Synthesize, simplify, and storytellcomplex strategic information into compelling, actionable direction for clients and internal teams.
  • Champion consistent brand positioning and tone of voice across all markets and disciplines.

 

  1. Strategic Ownership
  • Lead strategic development of client briefs and scopes, ensuring they address full business and brand priorities.
  • Partner with Global Consumer Experience and Regional strategy teams to ensure every brief integrates end-to-end brand, category, and consumer insights.
  • Define measurable strategic KPIsaligned with business outcomes and marketing performance.
  • Ensure all agency deliverables demonstrate strategic rigor and creative inspiration.

 

  1. Network Leadership
  • Oversee regional planning teams to ensure strategic consistency, quality, and innovation.
  • Ensure all market activations are aligned to global vision and brand value framework, balancing global direction with local relevance.
  • Create and manage a system for sharing best practices, insights, and strategic learnings across markets.

 

 

  1. Partnership & Collaboration
  • Act as a senior strategic partner to our clients Leadership Team, providing thought leadership and counsel at the highest level.
  • Collaborate closely with  Regional Activation Leads to drive integrated, effective, and insight-led campaign planning.
  • Build deep, trusted relationships across client and agency leadership to enable alignment, collaboration, and innovation.

 

  1. Innovation & Thought Leadership
  • Be the champion of strategic innovation—exploring new ways to drive brand growth through creativity, data, and cultural intelligence.
  • Lead thought leadership initiativesto position the brand (and agency) at the forefront of industry thinking.
  • Drive experimentation with emerging channels, technologies, and methodologies to inspire next-generation marketing strategy.

 

Key Qualifications and Experience

  • 15+ years of strategic experience in marketing, advertising, or communications, ideally within a global agency network.
  • Proven experience leading global brand strategy for large, complex, multinational clients.
  • Deep understanding of brand building, consumer insights, cultural trends, and integrated marketing planning.
  • Strong commercial acumen and ability to connect strategic vision to tangible business outcomes.
  • Track record of leading and inspiring diverse global teams—balancing strategic direction with creative collaboration.
  • Exceptional communicator and storyteller, with the ability to influence at C-suite level.
  • Experience working within or alongside trade, category, and shopper marketingfunctions is highly advantageous.
  • Comfortable operating in fast-paced, matrixed global environments with multiple stakeholders.

 

Leadership Attributes

  • Visionary: Able to define and inspire long-term brand direction and purpose.
  • Integrator:Brings together diverse markets, disciplines, and perspectives under one coherent brand strategy.
  • Collaborator:Builds trusted relationships across teams, geographies, and organizations.
  • Innovator:Constantly seeks new, better ways to deliver strategic and creative excellence.
  • Mentor:Develops talent and fosters a culture of curiosity, creativity, and continuous improvement.



 

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers. 

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

When you click "Submit Application", this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through our Recruitment Privacy Policy. California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice. This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.

When you click "Submit Application", this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through our Recruitment Privacy Policy. California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice. This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.