Vice President, Strategy (DTC)

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership - Own the overall media strategy, planning approach, and strategic direction across assigned accounts. - Lead the development of integrated media strategies rooted in audience insights, market dynamics, business objectives, and performance data. - Guide strategic decision-making across channels, investment allocation, and media planning recommendations. - Drive the annual planning process and oversee development of strategic deliverables. - Serve as the senior point of contact for strategic questions, recommendations, and challenges related to client media investments. - Collaborate with cross-functional leadership to ensure strategic alignment across all client deliverables. - Champion innovation and continuous improvement in planning approaches, tools, and methodologies. - Contribute thought leadership through POVs, strategic frameworks, and industry perspectives.
• Client Leadership & Account Management - Own senior-level client relationships and serve as a trusted strategic advisor. - Partner with clients to shape marketing priorities, business objectives, and media investment strategies. - Lead strategic discussions, presentations, and planning engagements with clients and agency partners. - Anticipate client needs and proactively identify opportunities to improve business outcomes. - Maintain accountability for account health, strategic quality, and client satisfaction. - Serve as a point of escalation for strategic and client-related concerns.
• Team Leadership & Talent Development - Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing Strategy team. - Provide day-to-day leadership, guidance, and support to team members. - Ensure clear roles, responsibilities, and adherence to agency processes and best practices. - Oversee onboarding, training, performance management, goal setting, and career development. - Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and accountable team culture. - Support recruiting efforts through interviewing, candidate evaluation, and talent development initiatives. - Develop future leaders through ongoing coaching and mentorship.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration - Partner closely with Activation, Analytics, Investment, Ad Operations, and Client Leadership teams to develop integrated solutions. - Ensure teams are aligned on strategic priorities, timelines, deliverables, and client expectations. - Represent cross-functional perspectives in client and agency partner discussions when needed. - Facilitate effective communication and collaboration across disciplines to drive strong business results.
• Business Growth & Agency Leadership - Partner with account and agency leadership to identify and pursue opportunities for organic account growth. - Support business development efforts, including new business pitches, strategic workshops, and agency initiatives. - Encourage adoption of new agency capabilities, products, and solutions within client recommendations. - Assist in scoping client work and evaluating resource needs in partnership with Business Management. - Contribute to agency culture, thought leadership, and strategic excellence initiatives.
• Knowledge & Expertise - Deep understanding of pharmaceutical marketing and media strategy across HCP, DTC, Payer, and broader healthcare audiences. - Strong understanding of the marketing ecosystem and the strategic role of media in driving business outcomes. - Deep cross-channel media planning expertise with a media-agnostic planning mindset. - Ability to synthesize data, research, and insights into actionable strategic recommendations. - Familiarity with media planning, measurement, and research tools, including Clear Decisions and related platforms. - Knowledge of emerging media trends, healthcare marketing regulations, and industry best practices.
• Qualifications - Proven ability to lead teams, develop talent, and drive strong business results. - Demonstrated success managing complex client relationships and influencing senior stakeholders. - Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. - Exceptional communication, presentation, and storytelling abilities. - Proven ability to collaborate effectively across functions and disciplines. - Strong innovation, creativity, and leadership capabilities.
• Education & Experience - 10+ years of media planning and strategy experience. - 6+ years of leadership and people management experience preferred. - Deep cross-channel media planning experience. - Pharmaceutical, healthcare, or life sciences marketing experience strongly preferred. - Experience leading integrated media strategies across complex brands and stakeholder groups.

Requirements

• 10+ years of media planning and strategy experience.
• Deep cross-channel media planning experience.

Preferred

• 6+ years of leadership and people management experience preferred.
• Pharmaceutical, healthcare, or life sciences marketing experience strongly preferred.
• Experience leading integrated media strategies across complex brands and stakeholder groups.