Strategic Planner

VML

Department: Strategy

Location: Antwerpen, Belgium

Who We Are:

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse. 

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences.  Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work. 

Are you a strategic planner with at least 4 years experience? Are you the go-to person when it comes to creating solutions that meet both brand objectives and consumer needs? Can you identify and articulate the consumer insights that drive communications strategies and journeys? If you answered yes, then you might be the Strategic Planner we’re looking for at VML Belgium!

The person we seek combines strong brand communication strategy and smart touchpoint planning. They are able to integrate different strategic expert skills into a coherent strategy. They seek out solutions in terms of brand communication and customer experience.

The right candidate is a team player who works together with the Strategic Director, Client Director and Creative Director. They know how to inspire, but are hands-on enough to make things happen from intake to implementation. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Be part of the strategic team for national and international clients
  • Present and discuss communication strategies and key insights in meetings with existing clients
  • Keep an eye on cultural and social trends relevant to the business, and ensure the brand communication strategy is relevant to local consumers
  • Develop brand communication, digital and social strategies
  • Is research minded and knows how to read and interpret existing client research while also hunting for additional (digital) data sources to generate extra relevant insights
  • Thinks user-centric and knows how to apply design-thinking to projects
  • Work closely with account management and creative teams to brainstorm ideas and ensure each creative approach is on strategy
  • Keep up-to-date with our audience’s preferences and proactively suggest new initiatives
  • Inspire colleagues and clients with the latest trends (cultural, technological, case studies, market evolutions, etc.)

REQUIRED SKILLS:

  • Comprehensive understanding of brand strategy, branding, digital strategy and social strategy
  • A digital ‘native’ with knowledge of existing and emerging digital channels
  • Is experienced in developing brand and creative strategies in social media
  • You possess strong analytical skills. You can understand and interpret the latest brand tracker as well as the most recent Google Analytics report. You have demonstrated experience in the use of measurement and tracking tools within all digital channels. You are able to incorporate these results into strategies, creative briefs and local cultural roadmaps
  • Strong client-facing skills
  • Ability to present ideas clearly and concisely
  • Experience in working closely with both account and creative teams
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Fluent in Dutch and English

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:

  • Straightforward and direct
  • Clear communicator
  • Focused on collaboration and idea sharing
  • Builds to consensus
  • Fair and respectful
  • Active listener
  • Open to people and new ideas
  • Pursues personal growth by embracing challenges

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • 4 years’ relevant experience in strategy, advertising and marketing
  • Experience as strategist in brand positioning, integrated brand communication, digital marketing, content marketing or social media
  • Speaking, writing and understanding Dutch is a must

WE OFFER:

  • A competitive salary with fringe benefits
  • Ambitious and highly creative clients
  • A team of experienced advertising grandmasters and young prodigies
  • We offer opportunities for your further training and career

#LI-JT1

At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward. Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization—creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers—who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction. 

VML is a WPP Agency. For more information, please visit our website, and follow VML on our social channels via Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. 

When you click "Submit Application", this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through our Recruitment Privacy Policy. California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice. This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.

When you click "Submit Application", this will send any information you add below to VML. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through our Recruitment Privacy Policy. California residents should read our California Recruitment Privacy Notice. This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.