VP, Strategy

Business Overview

UM is a global media agency committed to Futureproofing our clients' businesses. We leverage the transformational power of rich business analytics and real-time intelligence to maximize growth and activate the full consumer journey across content and connections. UM operates in over 100 countries, with more than 3,000 people innovating on a roster of global clients including Accenture, American Express, GoPro, Johnson & Johnson, Levi Strauss & Co, Mattel, Sony, and Spotify. UM is globally headquartered in New York, with North American offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Birmingham, Detroit, Montreal, and Toronto.

At UM, we know our employees are our greatest asset. We are committed to fostering a culture rooted in Diversity, Equity & Belonging, where everyone feels they belong, and their contributions are valued. We prioritize personal and professional growth, encourage an entrepreneurial spirit to pursue passion projects, and celebrate our people and community with moments of joy and spontaneity. Our leadership is dedicated to building a culture of care that permeates every element of the company from work flexibility to career planning to regular talent reviews, and more. Our DNA, for UM, helps guide us in all that we do:

Fearless: We bring our authentic selves to work and put our whole selves into the work

Optimistic: We approach challenges with empathy and curiosity, infusing joy into everything we do

Relentless: We’re unwavering in our pursuit of the right solution, eager to reimagine what’s possible

Unified: We band together to accomplish what we could not otherwise do alone

Masterful: We’re constantly growing in our craft, setting new standards for our industry and our world

We are proud to be named an AdAge Best Place to Work several times over, a Top Workplace in the US by Great Places to Work, a top 10 FORTUNE 2022 Best Workplaces in Advertising & Marketing and She Runs It’s 2021 Outstanding Company for Working Mothers. But feedback is most meaningful when it comes from our own people: over 90% of our employees say the agency is a great place to work and 95% say they are proud to work at UM.

Position Overview

The strategy team at UM is responsible for unearthing consumer insights and behaviors to define and optimize the target audience and drive business goals for our clients. Both strategic planning and analytics are key dimensions to our work. We identify unique connection opportunities based on audience emotions and behaviors through the use of proprietary research and data and translate them into actionable insights for media, content and social marketing.

In general, to succeed in Strategy, candidates must demonstrate a strong work ethic, exceptional analytical skills, and a knack for converting insights into creative, actionable recommendations for our clients. We are fiercely committed to delivering high-quality analysis, in a structured, thoughtful presentation, with strict attention to deadlines and deliverables. An ability to communicate effectively and efficiently in both written and oral form and build trusted internal and external relationships are also key. Backgrounds in agency and consulting organizations are desired, as skills in analyzing and presenting information are honed.

This position is suited to a strategist with 10 years’ experience working in a similar agency environment or in a management-consulting firm. The Partner will be responsible for the day-to-day management and execution of projects/assignment.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with cross-functional agency team to drive strategic thinking
• Utilize a variety of attitudinal and behavioral data sources available to us (e.g., DMP, Acxiom) to identify high value audience
• Telling data-driven stories and using data + performance metrics to build strategies + client solutions
• Formulate target audience recommendations and communication strategies that help prioritize our media investment and partnerships
• Design and conduct primary quantitative and qualitative research, generating audience insights to inform strategic recommendations and tactical execution
• Mapping and creating custom journeys and building strategies + solutions across customer journeys
• Facilitate audience workshops and provide inputs into media and tactical planning
• Manage analysts on project work and support their career development
• Develop relationships with clients as a strategic thought partner
• Manage internal relationships with other departments, identifying opportunities for efficiencies in working relationships and cross-departmental processes and hand-offs (e.g. Client Lead, Research, Media Planning, Digital, Programmatic)

Required Skills and Experience

• Client relationship development and management
• Strong analytical/logical thinking
• Ability to synthesize data/research into concise action-oriented strategies
• Great presentation and communication skills
• Quantitative and qualitative research skills to inform 4C insights (Culture, Category, Company and Consumer)
• Deep understanding not only of how to build audiences but also a more broad understanding of different audience solutions – from building custom solutions to the different types of off the shelf solutions available
• Deep understanding of data solutions (1st, 2nd and 3rd party) – how to access, use and activate
• Understanding of the Digital marketing technologies, including adtech and martech solutions
• Familiarity with different media and digital channels (e.g., TV, web, mobile, CRM, social media, search)
• Familiarity with multi-channel measurement and attribution solutions

Desired Skills and Experience

• Background in strategy and/or consulting in digital or database marketing
• Demonstrated project management experience; either managing small project or small team within larger project or experience in managing deliverables/ project timeline
• Experience working with large, complex data, including audience data from DMP, Acxiom, etc.
• Experience working with global teams at large Fortune 2000 companies
• Collaborating within an agency and with extended marketing council of agencies

Wage and Benefits

We offer a Total Rewards package that includes medical and dental coverage, 401(k) plans, flex spending, life insurance, disability, employee discount program, employee stock purchase program and paid family benefits to support you and your family.

The salary range for this position is posted below. Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position, market considerations, budgetary considerations, tenure and standing with the Company (applicable to current employees), as well as the employee’s/applicant’s skill set, level of experience, and qualifications.

Employment Transparency

It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. The job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and other job functions are subject to modification. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

For applicants to jobs in the United States: In compliance with the current Americans with Disabilities Act and state and local laws, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation to apply for a position, please email