Junior Strategist

VCCP is the global challenger network for challenger brands. With more than 1500 people across 13 offices in North America EMEA and APAC we challenge convention to deliver value for the worlds most ambitious organisations.

We believe transformation happens when everything works together. Thats why we bring specialists from every discipline - strategy AI data media digital experience branding creativity production PR CX CRM employee engagement and beyond - into one fully integrated network.

We were founded on the principles of simplicity collaboration and un-preciousness and weve grown by staying true to them. Today our clients include some of the worlds most recognisable and progressive brands such as Virgin Media O2 Barclays Cadbury Compare the Market Dominos White Claw easyJet Primark and Co-op.

VCCP has topped the AARs annual new business ranking in 13 of the last 14 years and holds multiple Agency of the Year titles. Across every company and every capability we share the same ambition: to challenge ourselves challenge our clients and challenge the industry for the better.

The role:

Were looking for a motivated ambitious and curious individual to join VCCPs Planning department. The candidate will support more senior planners on a range of projects from upstream brand development and integrated campaigns to more tactical trading and retail activations. Were looking for a lean-forward personality i.e someone who demonstrates strong agency and enthusiasm for solving problems. They dont necessarily need to come from an agency background or have any traditional strategy experience. This will be a fantastic learning opportunity with lots of support but were also looking for someone who can be proactive and take ownership of smaller projects. Were looking for a real team player who will be additive to our culture.

Who are we looking for

• Someone who has hustle and a hunger to learn
• Strategy/consulting/business experience. They may or may not be coming from an ad agency background but comfort with data and excellent attention to detail is a must
• Someone tech-savvy with AI fluency and a positive outlook on how technology can be used to build future-facing brands people who have studied STEM subjects Economics Psychology Neuroscience Cognitive Science etc are of particular interest
• Someone with a deep curiosity about people and their behaviour
• Someone excited about creativity and the opportunity to build some of the UKs biggest brands with a strong POV on what it takes to make great work
• Someone articulate and able to build clear narratives who would be comfortablepresenting in front of clients from day one

What would your day-to-day look like

• Working with some of the UKs biggest brands to solve creative and commercial problems
• Keeping a pulse on internet culture tech trends and media shifts to ensure our work always feels fresh and culturally relevant
• Working on pitches and new business helping brands find new opportunities forgrowth
• Diving into trend reports synthetic research social media listening and qualitative/quantitative data to figure out what makes consumers tick and how they interact with brands
• Becoming the expert on tools like Mintel TGI and Meltwater as well as working with AI tools to find new innovative ways to solve problems
• Collaborating with senior strategists to turn complex client problems into simple inspiring and actionable briefs for our creative teams
• Putting together research decks competitor reviews mood boards and other presentations to spark big ideas and tell compelling stories
• Actively participating in client meetings and creative reviews

Benefits

Contractual benefits:

• 25 days holiday
• Private Medical Healthcare
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Income Protection
• Work mobile phone
• Enhanced maternity/paternity (after qualifying period)

Non-contractual benefits:

• Half a day working before a bank holiday work permitting
• Payday pizza
• Fresh fruit daily
• Fully stocked drinks fridges
• Employee assistance programme
• Gourmet Society & Tastecards
• Health Screening
• Holiday Purchase Scheme
• RAC Vehicle Breakdown Cover
• Free annual eye test
• Curious sessions and other information-sharing sessions
• Give as you earn (a tax-free benefit)
• Cycle to work scheme - after successful completion of the probationary period
• Corporate Gym Membership - after successful completion of the probationary period
• Season ticket loan after successful completion of probationary period

Vccp DE&I statment

We believe that DE&I is about creating a strong culture of inclusion within our agency where everyone can thrive and be their authentic self. VCCP is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender age disability religion belief sexual orientation marital status or ethnicity. If you require any adjustments during the application or interview process please let us know via.

Criminal records information

As part of our onboarding process you will be required to complete a Criminal Records Declaration regarding any unspent convictions. For roles in finance HR Legal IT or senior management we may be required to verify your declaration with a basic DBS check as well as an Adverse Finance and ID check.