Global Vertical Lead (Retail)

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. 

The opportunity:

The primary focus of the Global Vertical Lead is to drive the growth of global accounts, market thought leadership presence, and new business in a specific vertical. Aligning with the relevant VML Global Client Leads (GCL’s) on their strategic growth initiatives (as part of their growth plan) to drive increased YoY topline revenue growth – consultatively selling the wider VML Enterprise Solutions offering – technology enablement of business transformation, digital transformation, digital commerce, marketing automation, personalization, and loyalty, data enablement, and engineering.

In turn, being client-facing we would expect the ideal candidate to use this knowledge and experience to drive our global thinking and strategic approach across all our markets for the specific vertical to support the development of vertical blueprints. This will include positioning, GTM, enablement and capability development (e.g., community building) to ensure we are aligned as to how to ‘win’ in the vertical.

What you’ll be doing:

• Responsible for top-line revenue growth for VML Enterprise Solutions in the Retail sector
• Accountable for sales, advisory and delivery of client engagements, programs and services on or above client expectations
• Working closely with the relevant GCLs to extend existing client engagements to include the VML ‘Extended Capabilities’ proposition in both existing and new markets leading to increased revenue
• Develop and manage strong client relationships at C-level or just below in order to accompany clients through their transformation and make VML Enterprise Solutions the most trusted strategic partner for our clients
• Responsible for client budget, forecast and report activities on a monthly and quarterly basis working towards an annual objective of revenues and margin targets from a VML Enterprise Solutions perspective
• Create market demand for VML Enterprise Solutions innovation offerings, aligning these to vertical trends and transformation opportunities within the sector
• To lead the Global positioning for a specific vertical – working closely with the wider teams to ensure we have a GTM proposition and strategy that resonates with an IT stakeholder audience.

What we want from you:

• Senior Commercial Sales or Consulting leader with proven track record of successfully selling and delivering digital business transformation projects for enterprise clients, resulting in YoY growth of the portfolio
• A minimum of 10 years of selling, commercial and strategic consulting experience within the digital industry domain – selling to IT, Operations and Sales, with a preference of 3 years global experience
• Comes with and can demonstrate ability to build strong and meaningful enterprise client network at C-level within the Retail sector
• Entrepreneurial spirit, who thrives with a certain level of uncertainty and autonomy, yet manages to navigate among multiple stakeholders (internally and externally) to secure structured and successful client engagements
• Personality and approach: Collaborative, positive, result driven, energetic, self-driven, ethical, emphatic, robust, daring, executional (can do - get things done attitude)
• Strong communication, motivational and active listening skills
• Culturally aligned with VML values, culture and guiding principles 
• Fluent in both written and verbal English at negotiation level is required
• Comfortable with travelling if and when required

Success Criteria:

• Within 2 years achieve double-digit top-line growth for prioritized existing client portfolio
• Gross margins for your existing clients at company average or above
• Successfully increase Share-of-Wallet at existing clients on services that they previously haven't used VML ‘Extended Capabilities’ for in both existing and new markets – specifically within business transformation related activities and services
• Main contribution to sales pipeline generation
• Lead new engagements with global/strategic potential fitting the full VML Enterprise Solutions service proposition
• Secure high CSAT for the client engagements you lead
• Accurate and timely forecasting and reporting on sales activities and existing client engagements
• Positive feedback from internal stakeholders and delivery organization on collaboration, communication and motivation abilities.

What we can offer you:

Alongside the opportunity to work with some of the most exciting brands around the world, we’ll also prioritise your career development and help you grow your skills. We’ll empower you to make a difference, allow you to be yourself, and respect who you are.

We offer a great benefits package including a discretionary bonus scheme, training opportunities, competitive pension, medical insurance, life assurance, social events, opportunities to buy and sell holidays, family friendly policies, discounts with hundreds of retailers and much more.

Our personality and behaviours: We believe that we are what we do, not just what we say. Our shared values and behaviours show how to bring the VML Enterprise Solution's culture to life through the actions we all take every day:

• Connect Meaningfully
• Inspire Creatively
• Include Purposefully
• Approach Positively

Our brilliant, talented people are what makes VML Enterprise Solutions what we are. That’s why we look for people who go beyond and always push our thinking to be better than yesterday.

AT VML Enterprise Solutions

VML Enterprise Solutions brings together all our technology and data groups to form a single operating unit that services complex business challenges using the agency’s combined consulting, data, technology, and innovation capabilities.

Over 7,000 employees across VML’s key offices and local markets around the world contribute to the Enterprise Solutions offering to deliver on the increasing market demand for applications of AI, technology-driven transformation, and operational efficiencies brought to life via robust technology solutions.

VML Enterprise Solutions integrates deep technology services capability into VML’s core practices of Brand Experience, Commerce, and Customer Experience. The offering will also be direct to clients with best-in-class global scale in consulting, engineering, data, scaled automation and platform delivery.

The comprehensive solution includes VML platform service brands such as MAP, Diff, and Satalia, a leading AI company acquired by WPP in 2021. The group also brings together tenured global partnerships with Adobe, Salesforce, Google, Microsoft, Braze and MACH Alliance, among others.

#LI-EMEA #LI-HYBRID

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. 

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