Data Director

About the Position

Data Director

We're seeking a Data Director to lead marketing analytics and intelligence for a major European automotive account at VML UK.

About the Company

VML is a global creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce to create connected brands that drive growth. Guided by a Human First philosophy, VML is known for its innovative work for brands and consistently ranks among the world’s leading creative companies, including the WARC Creative 100. VML’s global network spans 55+ markets with principal offices in Buenos Aires, Kansas City, London, New York, São Paulo, Shanghai, and Singapore.

VML is part of WPP, the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. Powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform WPP Open, WPP unites cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, creativity, production, enterprise solutions, and expert strategic counsel.

For more information, please visit www.vml.com and follow along on LinkedIn #WeAreVML.

Responsibilities

Lead Marketing Analytics & Intelligence

• Lead the development and delivery of marketing analytics and intelligence across European markets.
• Bring together data and insight from across media, CRM, digital, customer, and market sources to create a holistic view of performance.
• Translate complex analysis into clear, actionable recommendations for senior stakeholders.
• Help clients understand marketing effectiveness, customer behavior, and the drivers of business performance.
• Use measurement approaches, including MMM and wider effectiveness methodologies, to help inform marketing investment and decision-making.
• Identify emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges and turn these into meaningful strategic recommendations.
• Help shape new approaches and capabilities across analytics, measurement, and marketing intelligence.

Be a Senior Strategic Partner to Clients

• Build trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders, acting as an advisor rather than simply a delivery partner.
• Understand the business challenge behind the data and determine how analytics and insight can help solve it.
• Lead senior conversations around marketing performance, customer behavior, effectiveness, and growth.
• Turn complicated analytical thinking into clear and compelling stories that clients can understand and act on.
• Bring a strong point of view, challenge existing thinking where appropriate, and introduce new ideas and approaches.
• Balance individual market requirements with a broader European perspective.

Drive Commercial Growth

• Develop a deep understanding of client priorities and identify opportunities where data, analytics, and intelligence can add further value.
• Shape new propositions, solutions, and scopes of work around those opportunities.
• Support and lead pitches, proposals, and senior new-business conversations.
• Work with wider VML and WPP capabilities to bring the right expertise together around client challenges.
• Understand the commercial aspects of the relationship, including scoping, financial management, and account profitability.
• Help turn strong client relationships and great analytical thinking into sustainable commercial growth.

Connect Teams & Markets

• Work closely with local market teams to build a joined-up European approach to analytics and marketing intelligence.
• Bring together specialists across data, media, strategy, CRM, customer experience, and technology to solve complex client challenges.
• Establish consistent ways of working and share best practice across markets.
• Connect local insights and intelligence to build a stronger regional perspective.
• Provide leadership and direction to cross-functional teams working across different disciplines and markets.

Requirements

• Strong experience within marketing analytics, measurement, marketing effectiveness, or marketing intelligence.
• Significant experience working within the automotive sector, with a strong understanding of its customers, commercial challenges, and marketing landscape.
• Experience across areas such as MMM, media measurement, CRM/customer analytics, digital analytics, or marketing effectiveness.
• The ability to translate complex data and analysis into clear strategic recommendations and compelling client stories.
• Strong senior stakeholder management and the confidence to advise, influence, and challenge clients.
• A consulting mindset, with the ability to start with a business challenge and determine the right analytical response.
• Strong commercial awareness and experience identifying opportunities, shaping propositions, and growing client relationships.
• Experience working across multiple markets, ideally within a European or global organization.
• Experience bringing together cross-functional teams and different areas of expertise to solve client problems.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• The ability to operate effectively within a fast-moving and complex client environment.

Additional European language skills would be an advantage.

We Offer

• Life Assurance
• Permanent Health Insurance
• BUPA
• Flexible hybrid working
• Enhanced family-friendly policies
• Well-being Programme
• Employee Assistance Support
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Eye Care and Glasses Vouchers
• Season Ticket Loans
• WPP Discounts

You’ll also have access to ongoing learning and development opportunities and support for your longer-term career development.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

VML 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, physical or mental disability.

We believe in creating a dynamic working environment that values diversity and inclusion and are committed to recruiting a diverse slate of candidates.

If you require reasonable adjustments or additional support during the application process, our People Team will be happy to assist.

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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