Senior Strategist - Boots

VML South Africa; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 80,000

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.

SENIOR STRATEGIST

Company: The Pharm, part of VML

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

Reporting to: Strategy Partner

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.

Our shared values: Positive. Fearless. Celebratory.

The Role:

We are looking for an experienced Senior Strategist, with strong brand-building and advertising communication skills. You will be working on the fabric-of-the-nation brand that is Boots, delivering against the fast-paced marketing calendar while continuously lifting the creative excellence of the whole brand as we build and grow their new brand platform of ‘With you for Life’. 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 have a retained relationship and we want to challenge the brand to do things differently and radically transform the nation's perception and appreciation of Boots as a retailer but also beyond; as a specialist, as a health provider and as a beauty authority.

1. To be seen as a strategic partner by your clients: This role requires you to build a close, constructive, proactive, and open dialogue with your senior clients. You must win their trust but not be afraid to challenge their thinking when required, demonstrating how your creative strategy solves their commercial challenges.
2. To drive ground-breaking consumer insight for the brand: We need to really get under the skin of our consumers, understanding the attitudes, needs, worries, and desires that underpin their relationship with this category. To do this, you will need to understand and absorb existing research data (both quantitative and qualitative) and be able to uncover fresh insights. You will push to find new ways to get closer to consumers, whether that’s through suggesting new research opportunities or surfacing new consumer trends.
3. To create compelling narratives and presentations: You will need to create logical and compelling presentations (e.g., building on consumer insights to define new positioning territories; using historical audits and competitor learnings to help evolve our tone of voice and positioning; creating persuasive narratives to frame the presentation of creative ideas etc.).
4. To work collaboratively with other specialist strategists to drive innovative media and channel thinking: This role requires expertise and experience across the entire brand ecosystem. You will happily collaborate with the connection, CX, content, data, and social strategists on the team.
5. To drive a culture of effectiveness: You will look for opportunities to write effectiveness papers and drive a culture of effective measurement across the team.

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
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• 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 [e-mail] to request an alternate accommodation. Please note that only requests for an employment application accommodation will be returned.

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.