Strategy Operations Consultant

Who We Are

VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human first, award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave™ Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. In addition, VML’s specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world’s largest and most awarded health agencies. VML’s global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.

ABOUT THE JOB

We are looking for a Strategy Operations Consultant to be the organizational backbone of our brilliant Business Strategy team at VML THE COCKTAIL. This is a pivotal internal role designed to ensure our team runs smoothly, our projects are staffed effectively, and our operational efficiency is always improving. You will act as a bridge between the firm's Partners and our consulting team, enabling our consultants to focus on what they do best: delivering outstanding work for our clients.

THIS IS THE CHALLENGE

Your main challenge is to master the art of resource management in a dynamic consulting environment. You will align the skills, experience, and career aspirations of our consultants with client needs and project demands. By optimizing our internal processes and leveraging technology, you will maximize the firm's efficiency, productivity, and profitability, ensuring we have the right talent on the right projects at the right time.

YOUR RESPONSABILITIES

• Talent & Project Staffing:

• Manage the scheduling process, assigning consultants to new projects based on their availability, industry experience, and functional fit.

• Align consultant skills and development aspirations with project needs and client requirements.

• Monitor team workload and utilization rates to prevent burnout and ensure continuous professional growth.

• Ensure a balanced team mix on projects, combining junior talent for sharp analysis and senior members for client management.

• Internal Operations & Efficiency:

• Design and continuously improve the team's operating model and core consulting methodologies.

• Lead capacity planning, forecasting future hiring needs based on project demand and business pipeline.

• Analyze project profitability, monitoring margins, budgets, and staffing costs to ensure financial health.

• Leverage digital tools and modern resource management systems to automate and optimize the staffing process.

THE IDEAL PERSON WILL BE..

• Someone with 4-5 years of experience in a resource management, staffing, or operations role within a top-tier consulting firm, agency, or professional services environment.
• Background in Finance, Engineering, or a similar analytical field. A Master's degree in Project Management is a plus.
• An expert in balancing consultant development goals with the firm's commercial and client-facing needs.
• Highly skilled in capacity planning and forecasting, with a proven ability to anticipate and solve complex staffing puzzles.
• Commercially astute, with experience monitoring project profitability, margins, and team utilization rates.
• An exceptional communicator and negotiator, capable of building trust and managing expectations with stakeholders at all levels, from consultants to Partners.

THIS IS WHAT WE OFFER

• 🧐 Flexible working hours
• 💻 Hybrid or on-site model
• 🎓 Personalized career plan and continuous training
• 👩‍🏫 Improve your English with language classes
• 🙌 No dress code – come to work however you feel most comfortable.
• 🛍️ Exclusive discounts and time for your personal growth.
• 🤱🏼 Maternity support initiatives and equality and diversity policies.

NEXT STEPS

If you’ve made it this far, it means we’ve caught your attention. 😉

Apply for the position and our People team will review your CV. If your profile matches what we’re looking for, you’ll receive a call so we can get to know you better and tell you more about VML and the role.

If you want a tip for the process: we simply want you to be yourself.

Are you in? 🚀

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. 

VML is a WPP agency (NYSE: WPP). For more information, please visit  www.vml.com, and follow along on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

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