Senior Strategist 

Company: The Pharm, part of VML 

A collaboration between Essence Mediacom, Ogilvy and VML. 

Location: Sea Containers (flexi working 2-3 in office per week) 

Reporting to: Strategy Director 

Who We Are:  

We are The Pharm: an integrated, multi-specialty service and consulting model where we work with our client Walgreens Boots Alliance in partnership towards one shared mission: to help people across the world lead healthier and happier lives. 

The 150+ experts assembled at The Pharm have a unique opportunity to dedicate ourselves to one client in pursuit of their ambitious mission, while collaborating with experts from across several agencies (and areas of expertise) within our holding company, WPP. 

The Role: 

We are looking for an experienced Senior Strategist, with strong global brand and advertising communication skills. You will be working with a variety of No7 Beauty Company brands (including No7, Soap and Glory, Liz Earle and Botanicas) with scope to fully lead one of these brands, working into the Strategy Director.  

The role covers predominantly brand strategy but there will be digital and social strategy and connections planning required at times. The ideal candidate will be a native in brand strategy, but also understand how social, digital and customer journey mapping works.  

The role is ideal for someone with strong experience at the senior strategist level who is hungry for an opportunity to step up and show that they can lead an important piece of business to take the next step in their career. 

We want a Senior Strategist who is: 

Excited to drive innovative media and channel thinking 

This role requires experience across both traditional advertising and digital. You will be working with internal and external partners to explore different media approaches across social, PR, commerce, experience, and technology. 

Active contributors to the wider Pharm and VML strategy team 

You will contribute to the wider strategy team by mentoring junior planners or interns. You will be involved in pitching for new business as well as contributing to a vibrant and supportive team culture 

People-obsessed 

We need to really get under the skin of our consumers, understanding the attitudes, needs, worries, and desires that underpin their relationship with brands. To do this, you will need to understand and absorb existing research data (both quantitative and qualitative) and be able to uncover fresh insights.  

Creative souls 

We want people who look at things from the other end of the telescope. That bring a fresh perspective, a new way of seeing familiar problems. We believe strategy is rigour. But we also believe strategy is creativity. 

Required Skills: 
 

• 4-5+ year’s agency experience or equivalent, focused on Brand Strategy 

• Ability to ‘manage up’ to work collaborative with the Strategy Director on projects 

• Data-driven approach to insights  

• Lead campaign strategy projects on a day-to-day basis, comfortably interacting and presenting to senior clients 

• Experience authoring and leading strategy for global toolkits provided to end-markets 

• Able to look at complex situations and information and come up with simple solutions 

• Excellent understanding of primary and secondary research (qual/quant)  

• Strong integrated experience within an agency environment  

• Experience in comms / channel planning 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

• Experience writing and leading creative briefings  

• Experience working closely with creative to sell in best-in-class work 

• Advanced user of Keynote/PowerPoint 

• Good time management 

• A great attitude, a thirst to learn, kindness, patience, and optimism   

WE’D LOVE IF YOU HAD: 

• Experience in Beauty sector 

• Experience working on a cross-market global brand 

• Experience in a digital marketing/ agency environment 

• Specific hands-on experience with social marketing channels (responding & content management) 

• Demonstrated success with client relationships, team management and business development 

What's in it for you? 
 

Aside from a generous annual leave allowance and pension allowances, you will have access to a whole host of other benefits and activities such as: 

• Life Assurance 

• Permanent Health Insurance 

• BUPA  

• Flexible hybrid-working schedule 

• Enhanced family friendly policies 

• Well-being Programme 

• Employee Assistance Support 

• Cycle to Work Scheme 

• Eye Care and Glasses Vouchers 

• Season Ticket Loans 

• WPP Discounts 

You will also have a clear long-term career development plan and access to our learning and development activities and online learning platforms. 

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

VML is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, colour, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability. 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.

If you are unable or limited in your ability to access our career site as a result of a disability, we will be happy to assist you. Please contact our People Team at ukpeopleteam@thepharmglobal.com.