Description
Who We Are
VML is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and award-winning human-first work for clients including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. In 2026, VML was named Campaign’s Global Network of the Year and ranked #2 Creative Network of the Year at Cannes Lions. VML’s global network spans 55+ markets with principal offices in Buenos Aires, Kansas City, London, New York, São Paulo, Shanghai and Singapore.
VML is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel.
For more information, please visit www.vml.com and follow along on LinkedIn #WeAreVML.
About the Role
We are seeking an exceptional Strategy Director to lead integrated strategic planning for our Tier 1 (National/Brand), Tier 2 (Regional), and Tier 3 (Dealership/Retail) automotive client portfolio.
The automotive retail ecosystem is undergoing a massive transformation—driven by EV adoption, direct-to-consumer models, digital retailing platforms, and evolving mobility habits. In this role, you will lead the strategic vision that connects high-impact brand campaigns to retail point-of-sale environments (both digital and in-dealership). You will partner closely with creative, digital, media, and technology leadership to create seamless, high-converting customer journeys from upper-funnel brand consideration down to showroom visits and vehicle delivery.
Key Responsibilities
Automotive Retail & Omnichannel Strategy
- Architect end-to-end customer journey strategies across Tier 1 (Brand Awareness), Tier 2 (Regional Associations), and Tier 3 (Retail/Dealership) touchpoints.
- Deeply understand the automotive path-to-purchase—from online research, configuration, and digital financing to test drives, showroom activations, and post-purchase loyalty/service.
- Develop innovative strategies for digital automotive retailing, virtual showrooms, EV conversion journeys, connected car experiences, and dealer network enablement.
- Translate complex automotive sales data, local market nuances, and Tier 3 promotional requirements into actionable strategic frameworks.
Integrated Campaign Architecture
- Lead integrated campaign planning, ensuring brand storytelling, digital product experiences, performance marketing, CRM, and dealership activations work in complete alignment.
- Craft inspiring creative briefs and strategic platforms that elevate creative output across mass media, social, digital, experiential, and point-of-sale channels.
- Uncover deep consumer, owner, and shopper insights using quantitative data, qualitative research, and automotive research tools (e.g., Cox Automotive, J.D. Power, IHS Markit/S&P Global).
Client Partnership & Industry Thought Leadership
- Serve as the senior strategic lead and trusted advisor to C-suite, CMO, and retail marketing leads on key automotive accounts.
- Deliver persuasive, highly articulate presentations that map creative concepts directly to commercial performance metrics (e.g., leads, configuration completes, test drives, dealer foot traffic, sales volume).
- Track emerging automotive trends—EV transitions, subscription models, connected vehicles, and changing mobility preferences—to keep clients ahead of industry shifts.
Measurement, Growth & Team Leadership
- Establish holistic attribution and measurement frameworks linking creative performance and media mix to sales conversions and dealer leads.
- Lead strategic efforts on new business pitches within the mobility, automotive, and retail technology sectors.
- Mentor and manage junior to mid-level strategists, building team capability in retail data analysis, brief writing, and consumer insight generation.
Qualifications & Experience
- Experience: 8–12+ years of strategic planning experience within an agency or brand strategy setting, with direct experience leading automotive accounts.
- Automotive Retail Knowledge: Proven track record with automotive client strategy across Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3 campaigns, including deep familiarity with dealership networks, dealer co-op programs, and automotive e-commerce tools.
- Integrated Expertise: Extensive experience designing 360° integrated campaigns encompassing TV/OOH, performance digital, social media, CRM, trade/retail environments, and experiential events.
- Data & Research Proficiency: Experience with automotive syndicated tools (e.g., J.D. Power, Cox Automotive, Kantar, GWI, Google Analytics) and market segmentation re
Similar jobs
Who We Are VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human firs…
Who We Are VML is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and award-winning human-firs…
Who We Are VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human firs…
Who We Are VML is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and award-winning human-firs…
Who We Are VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human firs…
Est. 140,000 USD
We take play seriously. We’re looking for curious adventurers ready to find their party, fueled by imagination and drive to build what’s never been built before. At Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast, you’ll collaborate wit…
About WPP Media WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by our pioneering agentic marketing plat…
Est. 120,000 USD
At Real Chemistry, making the world a healthier place isn’t just an aspiration—it’s our everyday reality. Our drive to transform healthcare is informed by our blend of deep scientific expertise, human-centred creativity,…
Est. 85,000 USD
About Liquid I.V. This job description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions expected of the role. It is not designed to cover or contain a compreh…
At Revlon, we create beauty innovations for everyone that inspire confidence and ignite joy every day. Breaking beauty boundaries is in our company’s DNA. Since its game-changing launch of the first opaque nail enamel in…
Position Summary The Account Executive is an individual contributor role within the Generalist Sales team for Japan, part of the One Commercial team, Foundry’s global sales and customer success group. The primary functio…
Est. 85,000 USD
Business Overview We believe in the power of media to reshape our industry and orchestrate a brand’s entire consumer experience, by balancing both what unites people and what makes them different. When brands unite peopl…
We are a Canadian leader in digital automotive solutions. Our flagship brands — AutoTrader.ca, AutoSync, Dealertrack Canada, and CMS — help Canadians buy, sell, and finance vehicles with confidence. This role sits within…
Est. 115,000 USD
About Us SharkNinja is a global product design and technology company, with a diversified portfolio of 5-star rated lifestyle solutions that positively impact people’s lives in homes around the world. Powered by two trus…
About WPP Media WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by our pioneering agentic marketing plat…
Why Valtech? We’re the experience innovation company - a trusted partner to the world’s most recognized brands. To our people we offer growth opportunities, a values-driven culture, international careers and the chance t…
Est. 120,000 USD
Why Valtech? We’re the experience innovation company - a trusted partner to the world’s most recognized brands. To our people we offer growth opportunities, a values-driven culture, international careers and the chance t…
Est. 120,000 USD
About AvePoint: Beyond Secure. AvePoint is the global leader in data security, governance, and resilience, going beyond traditional solutions to ensure a robust data foundation and enable organizations everywhere to coll…
Est. 120,000 GBP
The Opportunity Digital marketing has been fundamentally restructured by AI — and we need a leader who doesn't just understand that shift, but is actively shaping it. This is not a role for someone catching up; it's for…
Est. 140,000 USD
About Us SharkNinja is a global product design and technology company, with a diversified portfolio of 5-star rated lifestyle solutions that positively impact people’s lives in homes around the world. Powered by two trus…
About WPP Media WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by our pioneering agentic marketing plat…
Est. 145,000 USD
The Opportunity Digital marketing has been fundamentally restructured by AI — and we need a leader who doesn't just understand that shift, but is actively shaping it. This is not a role for someone catching up; it's for…
About WPP Media WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by our pioneering agentic marketing plat…
About WPP Media WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by our pioneering agentic marketing plat…
Purpose of the Role The Senior Marketing Manager will build and lead NetPay’s Marketing function, integrating Brand, Digital Growth, Product Marketing and Commercial Enablement into one business-driven organization. This…
Est. 85,000 USD
AccuWeather is expanding its Marketing team and looking a Go-to-Market & Industry Marketing Manager to join its growing team. The Go-to-Market & Industry Marketing Manager supports the execution of AccuWeather's…
Est. 120,000 USD
About AvePoint: Beyond Secure. AvePoint is the global leader in data security, governance, and resilience, going beyond traditional solutions to ensure a robust data foundation and enable organizations everywhere to coll…
Est. 120,000 USD
Job Summary The Retail.com Manager/Senior Manager is responsible for leading Sulwhasoo's digital commerce strategy across key retail partners, driving profitable growth through best-in-class digital merchandising, retail…
Est. 80,000 USD
Most companies claim to have the best people. We say to them, "Keep dreaming." Our people are second to none. They set us apart with their entrepreneurial spirit and ambition. They come to us from the likes of Amazon, Mi…
Est. 120,000 USD
About AvePoint: Beyond Secure. AvePoint is the global leader in data security, governance, and resilience, going beyond traditional solutions to ensure a robust data foundation and enable organizations everywhere to coll…