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.

Our Associate Planning Director will expand our collective reservoir of empathy for the consumer; to make sure everyone understands that there is a person at the end of every product and service. Not demographics. Not a caricature. But a real human being with veins and arteries, with dreams and aspirations. Out of this, we craft insights and creative briefs to inspire unique, break- through creative. Then we switch into brand manager mode to ensure that every concept the client sees is on-brand, on-target and laddering back to the goals and objectives of the initiative.

Responsibilities

• Develop marketing plans, communication and consumer touch-point strategies
• Cultivate a deep understanding of the intersection of consumer motivations and client business needs
• Work with consumer insights teams from client-side and VMLY&R’s primary and secondary researchers to translate findings into insights that fuel great creative
• Monitor and interpret cultural and social trends relevant to the client’s business
• Craft creative briefs and lead inspired briefings; remain an active contributor throughout the creative development process
• Be a thinker and a doer, an innovator and visionary with a creative imagination
• Partner with Account Management and Creative to grow the business

Required Skills

• Proven ability to rapidly synthesize large quantities of information, identify critical observations and insights, and summarize driving implications and opportunities
• Ability to effectively lead, influence and negotiate across different disciplines, internal and external, to achieve desired outcomes
• An innovator and visionary with a creative imagination and a way of working that inspires creativity
• Direct client experience and presentation skills to intimate and large groups of stakeholders

Required Experience

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree and a multidisciplinary background, including developing marketing strategy, consumer insight, media strategy and/or account planning
• MBA is preferred
• 7-10 years of overall marketing experience with at least 3 years of strategic leadership experience with clients
• B2B marketing experience, Microsoft and email experience is a plus
• Deep knowledge and experience with integrated marketing communications, specifically digital

The base salary for this position at the time of this posting may range from $75,000 to $180,000. 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 here for more details.

At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization—creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers—who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.

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

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