Head of Brand - Regulated Client

About VML

VML 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.

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

Head of Brand (Global) — Highly Regulated

We’re hiring a Head of Brand to lead a global account in a Highly Regulated category. This is a senior, above-agency leadership role that governs multi-agency outputs, drives an idea-led ecosystem across markets, and ensures consistent, high-impact brand delivery worldwide.

About the role

• Serve as the senior partner to client brand leadership, orchestrating multiple capability agencies (design, packaging, comms, digital, social, retail, PR) to deliver integrated, commercially sound solutions.

• Govern global brand output in partnership with regional units and end markets, ensuring consistency, compliance, and alignment with strategy.

• Lead an ecosystem approach to campaigns—protect the core idea from inception through all touchpoints, not just key visuals.

• Drive a client-centric growth agenda: identify opportunities, mitigate risks, and set a clear roadmap for brand performance.

• Partner closely with planning, creative leadership, and a programme delivery lead to run complex, cross-agency workstreams.

• Champion genuine co-creation with priority markets; expect multi-stakeholder engagement and some travel.

• Own commercial outcomes: steer profitability, budget discipline, and long-term growth.

What you’ll do

• Set direction and standards for brand governance and integrated delivery across regions.

• Lead solution-focused troubleshooting and de-risk major initiatives.

• Build high-trust, peer-level relationships; influence stakeholders with clarity and conviction.

• Establish operational cadence and handoffs across agencies; elevate the work through better process and sharper ideas.

• Drive continuous improvement through rigorous performance evaluation and actionable insight.

What you’ll bring

• 10+ years in brand/marketing leadership within agencies or consultancies, with proven multi-agency orchestration.

• Deep experience in global brand management, cross-market alignment, and complex stakeholder environments.

• Track record of leading senior client relationships, high-stakes presentations, and integrated ecosystem campaigns.

• High EQ and gravitas: charming but firm; confident saying “no” with a better solution; resilient and politically savvy.

• Strong commercial acumen: managing multimillion portfolios, budgets, and growth targets.

• Exceptional communication, problem-solving, and collaboration skills; balance strategic vision with operational detail.

• Category experience in Highly Regulated sectors is a plus but not required.

Why this role

• Shape a marquee global brand in a Highly Regulated category.

• Lead an above-agency model with planning, creative leadership, and programme delivery support.

• Work at true global scale, moving from London “center” to real market co-creation.

Ready to lead? Apply with your CV and a brief note highlighting relevant global, multi-agency, and ecosystem campaign experience.

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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.

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