As an Associate Director, Engagement Strategy, you will quarterback a human-centered approach to translating human empathy and an understanding of the world into meaningful and impactful experiences. We work to anticipate emerging opportunities at the intersection of people, culture, technology and business, identifying where to play and how to win for our clients. As an Associate Director, Engagement Strategy, you will lead by understanding the root of client business challenges, framing problems in unexpected ways, and providing inspiration and clarity through thought leadership. Engagement strategy is core to the VMLY&R Strategy & Insights practice, providing leadership across strategy, insights, and innovation.

Associate Director, Engagement Strategy often operate independently, leveraging a team of junior experience strategists and cross-functional CX teams to help drive projects. Associate Director, Engagement Strategy are expected to manage the investigation, synthesis and business impact of CX efforts. Like all strategists on our team, you’ll be expected to inspire change through innate curiosity, a drive for impact, and an orientation that puts strategy into immediate action.

What you’ll do:

• Develop a deep understanding of our clients’ customers’ wants, needs, and behaviors across the full customer journey
• Lead the development and orchestration of engagement and omnichannel strategy – connection of strategic goals to engagement priorities to channel specific strategies (e.g. social, CRM, website, paid media, apps, rep-delivered and more)
• Ability to lead the translation of insights into strategies and tactics
• Collaborate effectively with other strategists, Client Engagement, Medical, and Creative disciplines on business, brand and communications strategies
• Develop strong client relationships as a key strategic and business partner
• Strong understanding of various analytical frameworks and methodologies, and the ability to analyze and translate data into a concise story
• Manage smaller client engagements and support the senior team in management of larger clients
• Mentor junior strategists on strategy tools and processes, providing guidance and feedback for professional growth
• Provide key support and partnership in leading key strategy deliverables by guiding the strategic direction in relation to our clients’ brand development and marketing approach
• Constantly seek to improve client work and actively analyzes client’s challenges and opportunities
• Challenge team to uncover innovative tools and ideas, and to pursue growth opportunities
• Partner with Directors in workshop planning and proposals, development of measurement strategy and analytics approaches, execution of CX planning and tactical exercises, and content generation and presentation strategies
• Participate in new business pitches including market research

What you’ll need:

• 3-7 years of experience in overall research and strategic planning experience
• HCP and DTC marketing agency experience
• Critical and analytical thinker, innovator and visionary that inspires creativity
• Demonstrates passion, familiarity, and curiosity with 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 across internal and external stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree and a multidisciplinary background, including developing business strategy, marketing strategy, consumer insight, and/or account planning
• MBA is preferred

What we offer: 

• Passionate, driven people | We champion a culture of people that do extraordinary work.
• Consciously cultivated culture | We aim to embody the behaviors to build an inclusive community that is in it together, bringing both positivity and active listening into the workplace as we simultaneously strive to empower creative bravery.
• Competitive benefits | What we offer full time hires ranges from the full spectrum of group health coverage options (medical, dental, vision) to a generous 401k match (100% dollar-for-dollar match, up to 5% of salary contribution), and a variety of paid time off offerings that reflect our investment in all aspects of your overall life balance and wellness.
• Growth-minded opportunities | We aim to nurture a culture of real-time feedback, growth-oriented mindset, and plenty of training opportunities through VML and WPP, so you can continue to grow personally and professionally.

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VML is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or other protected group status. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion and strives to recruit a diverse slate of candidates to help us achieve that goal.