Group Director Strategy

Company: VML South Africa
Location: Detroit
Posted on: May 3, 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.ABOUT USThe WPP l Ford team is an essential part of a larger, dynamic agency ecosystem that serves Ford Motor Company and its many diverse units around the world. The WPP l Ford team is the global marketing partner providing WPP's depth and breadth of expertise across Communications, Experience, Commerce & Technology. Our offering leverages WPP agencies' strategic area of expertise with VML leading Brand & Customer Experience; Mindshare in Media; GTB in Precision Retail Marketing; Makerhouse in Brand Design & Production; Zubi & UWG in Multicultural; and H+K in Corporate Communications/Public Relations, among other key WPP specialists. As such, WPP l Ford team members often work in a highly collaborative environment, with direct exposure across virtually every discipline of modern marketing.ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITYThis is an exciting opportunity to join and lead the team dedicated to WPP's critically important client, Ford Motor Company as we look to identify a strategic and creative thought-leader. The Group Director, Strategy serves as the lead strategist responsible for the critical business units within WPP l Ford: Ford Pro and Ford Credit. Excellent business strategy and analytics experience is necessary to ensure a data-driven foundation of business and consumer insights. Strong omnichannel communications and business strategy background, with exposure to mass, digital and social, is essential to expertly guide deliver.Reporting directly to the North American head of brand experience, this role + the senior strategy leads must lead greater contribution to the global strategy community.RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategy lead across both Ford Pro and Ford Credit business units, including data-centric conquesting work across multiple nameplates.
• Ford Pro: Lead all aspects of the growing B2B segment, including brand platform, journey to electrification, comms strategy and proactive innovation.
• Ford Credit: Lead all owner and prospect communications and strategy across all lines of business.
• Collaborate with marketing science to lead conquesting and retention projects, including business opportunity assessment and audience planning.
• Confidently lead, persuade and motivate our talent, senior clients, and partners, through experience and curiosity.
• Provide strong initiative and compelling thought leadership and proactive creativity/innovation, leveraging WPP's resources (and others as necessary) to address the short and long term strategy needs for Ford.
• Lead integrated strategic deliverables that leverage a depth of experience in business planning, brand planning, market research and leadership of creative development across all channels and experiences.
• Deliver strategic outputs that include research, briefs, positioning, journeys, competitive analysis and content strategy.
• Create an environment of agile working and disruptive thinking.
• Apply informed, data and fact-driven views of how diverse insights drive brand platforms, cross-channel campaign executions-especially in the current context of media fragmentation, technology proliferation, consumer empowerment, data privacy and globalization.
• Leverage the strength and depth of North American strategy group to apply expertise into the global network.QUALIFICATIONS
  • 15+ years of experience in strategic marketing, brand planning, or communications strategy, with a strong focus on B2B and B2C environments.
  • Proven leadership in developing and executing data-driven, omnichannel strategies across mass, digital, and social platforms.
  • Deep experience in automotive, finance, or other complex categories; familiarity with electrification and B2B marketing is a strong plus.
  • Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional teams and guiding senior-level clients and stakeholders.
  • Strong background in marketing science, analytics, and audience planning; experience in conquesting and retention strategy preferred.
  • Ability to translate business objectives into clear communication strategies, brand platforms, and campaign plans.
  • Excellent creative briefing, storytelling, and presentation skills; able to motivate, inspire, and challenge teams and clients.
  • Experience managing and integrating global and regional brand strategy within a large agency or corporate environment.
  • Track record of bringing proactive innovation and thought leadership to strategic initiatives.
  • High proficiency in competitive analysis, customer journey mapping, content strategy, and positioning development.
  • Adept at navigating and leveraging media fragmentation, technology evolution, consumer trends, and data privacy frameworks.
  • Collaborative spirit with the ability to foster a culture of agile working and disruptive thinking.
  • Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or related field; Master's degree (MBA or similar) preferred.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.$100,000 - $230,000 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.
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Keywords: VML South Africa, Bloomfield Township , Group Director Strategy, Executive , Detroit, Michigan