Director Strategy

Company: VML South Africa
Location: New York
Posted on: June 1, 2025

Job Description:

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.WHAT YOU'LL DOVML is seeking a Content Strategy Director to lead our strategic content efforts for a global B2B, digitally ambitious, and operationally complex client. This role will be pivotal in shaping how our client communicates its value across digital channels, with a focus on innovation to develop data-driven, omni-channel content strategies that connect with target audiences in meaningful, measurable ways. You must be a forward-thinking, strategic leader who is well-versed in digital content strategy and planning, automation, and personalization.KEY RESPONSIBILITIESNote: This is not a generalist role. You must bring deep expertise in digital content strategy, including frameworks, audits, structured planning, and execution, to hit the ground running.

• Develop and execute content strategy frameworks that align audience needs with business goals across complex digital ecosystems.
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative content audits to identify performance gaps, inform strategy, and enable continuous optimization.
• Own development of other core content strategy deliverables, such as content plans/calendars, content matrices, messaging hierarchies, structured content models, and journey-based planning.
• Define global content requirements for localization, transcreation, and omnichannel consistency.
• Stay ahead of industry trends (e.g., structured content, personalization, automation, and AI) to drive innovation and business value.
• Lead the content strategy relationship for a large, global B2B client, owning strategic direction, deliverables, and executive communications.
• Facilitate workshops that align internal teams and clients on content priorities, KPIs, and strategic roadmaps.
• Guide annual planning efforts and proactively identify growth opportunities through sharp, actionable POVs.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders, consistently driving clarity, confidence, and results.
• Manage and mentor a small team of junior strategists, providing day-to-day guidance, constructive feedback, and career development support.
• Lead client-related scope and staffing conversations to ensure the right resourcing mix across ongoing and net-new work.
• Foster an inclusive, collaborative team culture grounded in accountability, curiosity, and shared success.Business Development & Thought Leadership
  • Lead strategic content contributions for pitches, RFPs, and new business opportunities, anchored in insights and smart storytelling.
  • Collaborate with discipline leads to shape future-forward narratives that showcase VML's content innovation and CX expertise.
  • Develop case studies, POVs, and strategic write-ups to amplify VML's voice in the industry.WHAT YOU'LL NEEDQualifications & Skills
    • Experience: 8+ years of experience in digital content strategy with a strong portfolio of frameworks, audits, structured content planning, and strategic recommendations for large-scale websites or digital ecosystems.
    • Content Expertise: Deep, working knowledge of core content strategy deliverables, not just conceptually, but with the ability to lead and execute them directly. This includes content audits, taxonomies, messaging frameworks, content models, and content-to-journey mapping.
    • Strategic Thinking: Ability to connect business objectives, audience needs, and digital behavior into actionable content strategies that drive measurable outcomes.
    • Leadership: Proven success leading teams, mentoring talent, and creating a positive, collaborative team culture.
    • Client Engagement: Experience leading senior-level client conversations and workshops with clarity, confidence, and strategic rigor.
    • Communication Skills: Exceptional writing, storytelling, and presentation skills, with the ability to distill complexity into clear, compelling narratives.
    • Curiosity & Innovation: Actively curious about emerging tools, structured content systems, AI, and personalization, and how they can be applied practically in a B2B environment.
    • Bonus Skills: Familiarity with Drupal (CMS), SEO, data analytics, UX, or content design is a plus, but not a substitute for deep content strategy expertise.The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. 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 WPP Benefits for more details._$75,000 - $180,000 USDWe 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.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 ourRecruitment Privacy Policy . California residents should read ourCalifornia 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.Apply for this job*indicates a required fieldFirst Name *Last Name *Preferred First NameEmail *PhoneLocation (City) *Resume/CVEnter manuallyAccepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtfEnter manuallyAccepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtfLinkedIn ProfileWebsite / Link to portfolioWebsite Password (if applicable)How did you hear about us? * Select...What is your desired salary? *Are you authorized to work in the country where this job is located? * Select...Will you in the future require employer sponsorship to work where this job is located? * Select...Are you currently a WPP employee? * Select...If you are currently a WPP employee, what brand are you affiliated with?Have you worked for a WPP agency in the past 10 years? * Select...Voluntary Self-IdentificationFor government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.As set forth in VML's Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.Select...Voluntary Self-Identification of DisabilityForm CC-305Page 1 of 1OMB Control Number 1250-0005Expires 04/30/2026Voluntary Self-Identification of DisabilityForm CC-305 Page 1 of 1 OMB Control Number 1250-0005 Expires 04/30/2026
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Keywords: VML South Africa, North Bergen , Director Strategy, Executive , New York, New Jersey