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.
Who We’re Looking For
We’re looking for a dynamic **Managing Partner (Maternity Cover) **with strong CRM experience to spearhead an exciting relationship with one of our major global automotive accounts.
You will be a strong practitioner of CRM, capable of holding your own with clients and agency partners alike, while demonstrating a truly integrated skillset to help us drive account growth. You will be comfortable leading a large, specialized team and managing multiple clients across multiple iconic brands within the group—ensuring all key client stakeholders feel they have the total focus and dedication of VML.
This is a high-profile role for the agency and requires a best-in-class Managing Partner who can step in, lead from the front, and maintain momentum.
What You’ll Be Doing
You will be the face and first port of call for VML for this flagship account. Key responsibilities include:
Strategic Account Leadership: Serving as the lead for all major briefs and planning requirements across the client brand portfolio.
Client Satisfaction & Growth: Ensuring client satisfaction remains paramount, delivering excellent Vantage scores while positioning VML top of mind for new briefs.
Team Leadership: Overseeing a dedicated client management team of 10 (two Senior Account Directors, six CRM Managers, and two CRM Coordinators), while collaborating closely with a broader team of strategists, analysts, enablement experts, and tech leads.
Talent & Operations Management: Ensuring the right talent is cast against the right brand, supporting and guiding the team, and maintaining agile ways of working to deliver world-class work on key briefs.
Commercial & Financial Governance: Negotiating fees, managing annual budgets, reforecasting, and scoping. Owning the scope of work alongside the Programme Director to ensure business growth and target profitability.
Global Capabilities Integration: Acting as a conduit between the client and VML South Africa where required, leveraging offshore capabilities effectively.
Identifying Growth Opportunities: Spotting growth opportunities built around our best-in-class capabilities across the account.
Partner Collaboration: Building strong, collaborative relationships across a wide network of media, creative, and specialist agency partners (both within WPP and externally).
What You’ll Need
Proven Senior Leadership: An established Managing Partner with a proven track record who brings fresh energy and enthusiasm to every client engagement.
Deep CRM Expertise: A genuine passion for CRM alongside extensive experience creating and steering CRM strategies and campaigns.
Client Consigliere Mindset: Proactive and strategic, acting as a trusted advisor to help set clients up for success while driving growth for VML.
Inspirational Leadership: A natural leader who inspires teams and instils confidence in clients.
Collaborative Approach: Ability to seamlessly collaborate across multidisciplinary departments and agency partners.
Ownership & Empowerment: Takes full responsibility for output while empowering direct reports to take ownership.
Mentorship: Generous with time and support, actively contributing to direct report development and wider agency initiatives.
Agile & Calculated Risk-Taker: Comfortable stepping out of comfort zones to challenge the status quo constructively.
Strong Commercial Acumen: High commercial literacy, working closely with commercial teams to ensure a mutually beneficial agency-client relationship.
Technical Grounding: Working technical knowledge (particularly with Salesforce Marketing Cloud) to hold credible client conversations without requiring constant technical support.
AI & Innovation Focus: Familiarity with WPP Open and modern AI tools, with the ability to articulate and demonstrate their value to clients.
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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