About the role

Who We Are

VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human first, award-winning work for blue chip client partners including 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 Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. In addition, VML’s specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world’s largest and most awarded health agencies. VML’s global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an exceptional Group Director to lead priority business development efforts in North America. This is a high-visibility role reporting directly to the Global New Business Lead, with the opportunity to shape VML Health's future in one of the world's most competitive and dynamic sectors. You'll be an architect of our growth strategy, building relationships with internal stakeholders and leaders at health companies that are redefining their categories.

This isn't just about winning pitches—it's about building a growth capability that sets the industry standard for healthcare marketing.

What You'll Do

Strategic Growth Leadership

Execute our business development strategy, evaluating inbound opportunities, new prospects and organic growth opportunities within existing client relationships
Collaborate across VML Health and WPP's global network, to create integrated, cross-capability solutions that solve complex healthcare client challenges
Partner with Global Client Leads on integrated opportunities

Pitch Excellence & Team Leadership

Lead pitch teams as a strategic architect, deliver winning presentations for health opportunities
Mentor junior team members, as part of a high-performing growth team with strong process discipline and creative problem-solving capabilities
Lead the development of pitch materials, credentials presentations, case studies, and capability demonstrations that showcase VML Health's integrated offerings
Follow and evolve best practices for inbound opportunities – vetting of health clients, building the win strategy, and maintaining financial oversight of pitch investments

Market Positioning & Thought Leadership

Craft compelling RFI/RFP responses that best position VML Health's capabilities
Support thought leadership content and opportunities that elevate VML Health's voice in the market

Performance & Infrastructure

Track and report business development pipeline performance
Leverage scalable processes, tools, and systems that enable efficient, high-quality pitch production and relationship management
Contribute to the evolution of VML Health's business development infrastructure, sharing best practices and insights with the broader network.

What You Bring

Required Experience & Capabilities

10+ years of business development, strategy experience in digital, integrated, or full-service agency environments, with a proven track record of winning and growing major healthcare client relationships
Demonstrated success leading complex, multi-stakeholder pitches and delivering new revenue growth
Deep understanding of modern marketing capabilities including AI/technology integration within the highly regulated healthcare environment
Familiarity with healthcare regulatory environments and their impact on marketing strategies and solution development
Exceptional executive presence and presentation skills, with the ability to command the room and translate complex solutions into clear, compelling client value for healthcare decision-makers
Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with experience developing business cases, competitive positioning, and go-to-market strategies for health brands and products
Leadership experience managing and developing business development talent, with a collaborative approach that builds trust across creative, strategy, and technology teams
Outstanding project management capabilities and the ability to thrive in fast-paced, high-pressure environments with tight deadlines

What Sets You Apart

Experience navigating holding company structures and orchestrating cross-agency collaboration within the health sector
A deep understanding of key trends and challenges shaping the future of healthcare

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 USD

We 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.

VML is a WPP agency (NYSE: WPP). For more information, please visit  www.vml.com, and follow along on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

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Skills & Tags

go rust ai mobile data product marketing

Aplyr's read

VML (Wunderman Thompson) is a global marketing agency excelling in digital strategy, attracting creative and tech-savvy professionals passionate about innovative advertising solutions.
Synthesized from recent postings & public sources

What's promising

•VML offers diverse roles in digital marketing and UX design, appealing to tech-savvy creatives.
•The company invests in growth academies, fostering talent development in copywriting and art direction.
•VML's global presence provides opportunities for international collaboration and career advancement.

What to watch

•High competition for roles may limit opportunities for rapid advancement.
•The fast-paced environment may lead to work-life balance challenges.
•Limited public information about employee satisfaction and company culture.

Why VML (Wunderman Thompson)

•VML emphasizes digital innovation, setting it apart in the traditional advertising space.
•The company's growth academies highlight a commitment to nurturing emerging talent.
•VML's global reach allows for diverse, cross-cultural project experiences.

Aplyr’s read is generated by AI from public sources. Was it useful?