Senior Strategist Strategy & Planning 2 Locations Req ID: 9045

Company: VMLY&R
Location: Chicago
Posted on: March 20, 2023

Job Description:

About Us: VMLY&RVMLY&R COMMERCE is WPP's newest end-to-end Creative Commerce Company. Built on the commerce expertise of Geometry and scaled through VMLY&R's connected brand promise, we help modern brands grow by unifying marketing strategies around commerce. We believe the space of commerce holds the most untapped creative potential to grow brands and people. Living CommerceTMis our proprietary approach and platform that guides how we work. By understanding how, when and why people buy, we deliver the most engaging and culturally-relevant creative commerce experiences across Retail, Experience, Design and Innovation. We do this as part of a network of 13,000 specialists across 80 countries, everywhere life intersects with commerce - this is end-to-end.We're committed to building a united global network of creators and thinkers, regardless of their age, race, skin color, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. With over 12,000 employees across the globe, our influence is made stronger by applying our collective experiences to tell stories that not only sell products and experiences, but also guarantee positive representations of all communities.Our unique culture is rooted in a great deal of care for you and your success. Above all else, we are committed to strengthening your experience by ensuring your inner potential continues to be discovered.We also offer about a dozen employee resource groups (ERGs) that allow you to tap into your personal identities, interests and passions. Our ERGs celebrate ethnic diversity, life as a working parent or caregiver, neurodiversity, the LGBTQ+ community, wellbeing, and more. Regardless of your interests, there is no shortage of opportunities to get involved, so tap into our global network and find where you can make your ideas come to life.Where you shineStrategic insights leader for our key commerce clients. Leads data-based strategic insights and direction to support development of communications initiatives for clients. Acts as the voice of the consumer in bringing human truths, shopper triggers, and shopper barriers to the planning process. Works closely with the Marketing Science, Account Management, Creative and Media teams, this position provides both and internal and client facing strategic direction and briefing of big ideas to activate in commerce. What your success will look like

• Supports strategy leads in partnering with account teams (agency and client) on annual brand and campaign planning
• Takes ownership of building data-driven strategies to improve the effectiveness of communications programs
• Uncovers key consumer and shopper insights to deliver powerful marketing strategies to deliver inspiring creative that drives shopper behavior change
• Partners closely with research team in developing quantitative shopper studies and integrating learnings into marketing strategy
• Research innovative and cutting-edge techniques and methodologies
• Leads the development or relevant and inspirational creative briefs to solve client challenges
  • Define the client's challenge, business opportunity and shopper target
  • Use research and strategy tools to gather information about the shopper/consumer and culture including: MRI Simmons, Mintel, YPulse, Infegy, Kantar Retail IQ, IRI Panel
  • Identify consumer/shopper mindset and behavior to uncover pivotal insight and develop marketing strategy
    • Takes agile, collaborative approach to briefing creative teams on their commerce assignments
      • Evaluate creative concepts, ensuring they are on strategy and meet client objectives
      • Present strategy section of program ideas and creative concepts presentation to client
      • Evaluate national program tactics and media plans against agreed upon strategies to ensure alignment; suggest alternatives where necessary
      • Support client's annual planning activities and ad hoc requests by leveraging client research and all other available data sources/tools
      • Proactively monitors consumer and retailer news and trends and share with broader strategy team and assigned client team(s)Who you are and what you bring
        • Bachelor's degree in advertising, communications, behavioral science (sociology, psychology, anthropology) or analytic field (statistics, social science research) preferred
        • 4-6 years of experience in research, strategic planning, or related field, preferably at an agency, CPG company, research company, or consulting firm
        • Applied experience with database tools and systems such as MRI Simmons, Mintel, Infegy, YPulse
        • Experience with sales (i.e. IRI/Nielsen/Retail Link), and shopper panel (IRI/Nielsen Panel, Numerator) data a plus
        • Able to communicate clearly, thoroughly, succinctly and in a timely manner both verbally and in writing; follows up on outstanding issues; asks relevant questions
        • Critical thinking; drawing conclusions, find creative solutions, structured problem-solving approach
        • Proven ability to communicate complex, technical concepts to non-quantitative audience
        • Ability to build relationships across team, departments, vendors and clients
        • Ability to effectively manage timelines and deliverables of multiple projects simultaneously
        • Exceptional oral and written communications skillsOur Benefits As the world leader in communications services, we rely on the creativity of our people to deliver the best work for our clients. In return, we invest in our employees by offering them a diverse suite of benefits from best-in-class carriers, with enough choice and flexibility to keep them and their families healthy and happy today and tomorrow.
          • Corporate gift matching program
          • Paid time off for volunteering
          • Paidparental leave
          • Ranked No. 1 in advertising for our adoption assistance program
          • Corporate discounts
          • VMLY&R Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team, which guides, celebrates, and promotes cultural literacy; increases employee engagement; recruits and retains a diverse workforce; and builds internal opportunities for people to learn and grow.VMLY&R is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or 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.

Keywords: VMLY&R, Chicago , Senior Strategist Strategy & Planning 2 Locations Req ID: 9045, Other , Chicago, Illinois