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About the Role

We are seeking an exceptional Strategy Director to lead integrated strategic planning across National/Brand, Regional, and Dealership/Distribution levels for a key automotive client. In this role, you will drive the strategic vision connecting high-impact brand campaigns with digital and in-dealership point-of-sale environments, ensuring seamless customer journeys from brand consideration to vehicle delivery.

Responsibilities

Design end-to-end customer journey strategies across Level 1 (Brand Awareness), Level 2 (Regional Associations), and Level 3 (Dealership/Distribution) touchpoints.
Master the automotive purchase journey, from online research and digital configuration/financing to test drives, in-showroom experiences, and post-purchase loyalty/service.
Develop innovative strategies for digital automotive retail, virtual showrooms, EV conversion pathways, connected vehicle experiences, and dealer network support.
Translate complex automotive sales data, local market nuances, and Level 3 promotional requirements into actionable strategic frameworks.
Lead integrated campaign planning, ensuring brand storytelling, digital product experiences, performance marketing, CRM, and in-dealership activations are cohesive.
Develop 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 buyer insights using quantitative data, qualitative research, and automotive research tools (e.g., Cox Automotive, J.D. Power, IHS Markit/S&P Global).
Serve as a senior strategic resource and trusted advisor to C-suite, CMOs, and retail marketing leads on key automotive accounts.
Deliver persuasive and articulate presentations, directly linking creative concepts to business performance metrics (e.g., leads, completed configurations, test drives, showroom traffic, sales volume).
Monitor emerging automotive industry trends—EV transition, subscription models, connected vehicles, and evolving mobility preferences—to keep clients at the forefront.
Establish global measurement and attribution frameworks connecting creative and media mix performance to sales conversions and dealership leads.
Lead strategic efforts on new business pitches within the mobility, automotive, and retail technology sectors.
Mentor and coach junior and mid-level strategists, developing the team's capabilities in retail data analysis, brief writing, and consumer insight generation.

Requirements

8 to 12+ years of strategic planning experience within an agency or brand strategy department, with direct experience managing automotive accounts.
Proven automotive client strategy experience across Level 1, 2, or 3 campaigns, including deep knowledge of dealer networks, dealer co-op programs, and automotive e-commerce tools.
Extensive experience designing 360 integrated campaigns spanning TV/OOH, performance digital, social, CRM, retail/dealer environments, and experiential events.
Experience with automotive syndicated tools (e.g., J.D. Power, Cox Automotive, Kantar, GWI, Google Analytics) and market segmentation research.
Excellent presentation and storytelling skills, with a proven track record in high-stakes client environments and major agency pitches.
Ability to fluidly connect high-level brand storytelling with tangible retail sales and promotional levers.
Strong understanding of automotive business drivers, inventory cycles, trim-level positioning, and promotional finance structures.
Ability to build deep trust within cross-functional teams including creative, digital development, performance media planners, and field-based account leads.

Skills

Strategic Planning
Automotive Retail Strategy
Omnichannel Strategy
Customer Journey Mapping
Digital Automotive Retail
Virtual Showrooms
EV Conversion Strategies
Connected Vehicle Experiences
Dealer Network Support
Integrated Campaign Architecture
Brand Storytelling
Digital Product Experiences
Performance Marketing
CRM
In-Dealership Activations
Creative Brief Development
Consumer Insights
Quantitative Data Analysis
Qualitative Research
Automotive Research Tools
Client Relationship Management
C-Suite Advisory
Presentation Skills
Pitch Delivery
Emerging Trend Monitoring
Measurement Frameworks
Attribution Modeling
New Business Development
Team Mentorship
Data Analysis
Retail Data Analysis
Insight Generation
Market Segmentation Research
Storytelling
Pitching
Commercial Acumen
Collaborative Leadership

Location

Kansas City
New York
Detroit
London
São Paulo
Shanghai
Singapore
Sydney

Work Type

Full-time

Experience Level

8 to 12+ years

Salary/Compensations

$110,000—$160,000 CAD

About the Company

VML, a WPP company, is a creative company that combines brand experience with commerce to create connected brands that drive growth.
VML is recognized for its innovative and award-winning work, prioritizing people for its top-tier clients such as AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's.
The agency is recognized by The Forrester Wave™ reports as a leader among service providers for marketing and creative content, commerce services, global digital experience services, global marketing services, and most recently, marketing measurement and optimization services.
Additionally, VML's specialized network, VML Health, is one of the largest and most awarded life sciences agencies globally.
VML's global network is powered by 26,000 talented individuals in over 55 countries, with offices in locations including Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.
WPP is the trusted partner for the world's most recognized brands.
We pair leading media intelligence and data solutions with world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions, and strategic expertise across our companies, all powered by our exceptional talent and our agency marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, seize new opportunities, and achieve transformative growth.
For more information, visit WPP.com.

Equal Opportunity

At VML, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, engaging work environment that also allows for career advancement.
Our Inclusion, Equity, and Belonging initiatives, along with the VML Foundation, reflect our determination to give back to our neighbors and make a positive impact in our communities and beyond.
Our people are the heart of our organization.
They are creators, doers, innovators, builders, or thinkers who not only drive marketing but also experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.
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