---
title: 'Principal Consultant (Commerce & Digital) at VML'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/principal-consultant-commerce-digital-vml-london-england-2k2hvx53qp5z'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-11'
---

# Principal Consultant (Commerce & Digital) at VML

- **Company:** VML
- **Location:** London England, United Kingdom / Manchester, United Kingdom
- **Posted:** 2026-01-21
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11
- **Apply:** https://www.vml.com/careers/job/8383253002?gh_jid=8383253002

## Job description

## Who We Are

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](http://www.vml.com/)and follow along on  [LinkedIn](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__urldefense.com_v3_-5F-5Fhttps-3A_www.linkedin.com_company_vml_-5F-5F-3B-21-21JboVxjCXSME-21OhlpCfbkl1UcWPwns1-2DGtvHOzFh0QwHV49fsPgGw-2DVCCU1bCg8aQFI9vN-2Dy-2DVwaQcITH2j2XKzGKBIFRLYf2AUWVYY1dFGK6-24&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=zouFnm4jZMgDFaYF1uVcRY3rbgHWPca_luUrBUkT6Yc&m=QzcCgXCAOjzj5hiU48_CKOdHRSJ4_YpuqfviT9yjlzH5VrkzySTZ-WaQXlYAnj4W&s=jJ7q5V70u9oUx7ONPm5jC3IK8y6vxDilX6BGTlqlWlA&e=) #WeAreVML.

Principal Consultant needed to join our Consultancy team at VML Enterprise Solutions.

We are seeking a visionary and distinguished Principal Consultant to influence and drive transformation at the highest levels of our consultancy. This pivotal role offers a unique opportunity to act as a trusted advisor to C-suite global business leaders, shaping the future of our consultancy solutions on a global scale. As a senior figure within our organization, you will mentor and lead our clients and internal teams toward unparalleled success. Your profound industry expertise and collaborative leadership will be crucial in delivering impactful business outcomes, while your dedication to a people-first ethos will cultivate a culture of empowerment, growth, and continuous improvement across our Consultancy team and the entire Business Services department.

Other core elements of this role will be:

- Orchestrating teams with diverse, cross-functional skill sets to collaboratively generate strategic, high-quality solutions to complex client challenges.
- Demonstrating a relentless passion for deciphering and resolving intricate client problems within the dynamic and evolving digital landscape.
- Proactively identifying new opportunities for client support by leveraging deep client insights and extending value beyond the initial engagements
- Utilizing advanced communication and analytical skills to swiftly dissect client issues, providing clear, actionable strategies in often ambiguous and high-pressure situations.

What you’ll be doing: You will have a distinguished consultancy background or an executive leadership position, demonstrating profound expertise in multiple specialized sectors. Ideally, your experience spans at least 1-2 key industries, such as retail, FMCG/CPG, B2B, or automotive.

To highlight the seniority and scope of this role, consider these responsibilities and engagements comparable to the following positions: Consultancy Director, Consulting Manager, Lead Consultant, Senior Strategy Consultant, Head of Digital, Digital Director, Management Consultant

Key responsibilities:

Client Engagement & Relationship Management:

- Operate at C-suite level to engage and lead clients through complex transformational change across truly omni-channel ecosystems
- Tackle the biggest transformational business questions that lead our clients to global success across experience, technology and organisational change
- Lead cross-functional engagements, serving as the primary point of contact for senior client stakeholders across a number of our largest clients.
- Build and nurture strong, trusted relationships with clients, understanding their business challenges and objectives.
- Proactively identify and pursue opportunities to expand existing client relationships and generate new business.

Team Leadership & Development:

- Lead, mentor, and coach the more junior consultants, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment. Inspire and empower team members to take ownership, develop their skills, and reach their full potential.
- Promote knowledge sharing and best practices across the team and wider organization.

Strategic Consulting & Solution Delivery:

- Leverage your expertise in eCommerce and specialist sector knowledge (e.g., retail, FMCG/CPG, B2B, automotive) to provide strategic guidance and solutions to clients.
- Confident communicator who can articulately ask questions and actively listen to get to the core of the client problem
- Being comfortable with ‘grey’, bringing clarity to ambiguous situations and utilising your advanced problem-solving capability to analyse complex business problems and independently overcome obstacles quickly.
- A lateral thinker who is able to step back to assess the client and ask from a broader perspective
- Conduct thorough business analysis, identifying pain points, opportunities, and areas for improvement.
- A deep understanding of technologies that form a part of digital ecosystems, such as eCommerce platforms, CMS, PIM etc. as well as software delivery methodology including agile
- Develop and present compelling proposals, roadmaps, and presentations that clearly articulate value propositions and solutions.
- Support the delivery function with business insights to help keep the business & team focussed on outcomes

Continuous Improvement & Innovation:

- Proactively identify and implement process improvements to enhance team efficiency, output quality, and client satisfaction.
- Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices, incorporating relevant learnings into your work.
- Contribute to the development and refinement of internal methodologies, frameworks, and tools.

What we want from you:

- Extensive experience in management or consultancy roles within the e-Commerce domain.
- In-depth specialist sector knowledge in at least 1-2 areas, ideally including retail, FMCG/CPG, B2B, or automotive.
- Proven leadership skills with the ability to effectively lead and motivate cross-functional teams.
- Exceptional relationship-building and networking skills, with a knack for building rapport with senior stakeholders.
- Strong understanding of digital ecosystems and technologies, including e-commerce platforms, CMS, PIM, and agile software delivery methodologies.
- Advanced problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyse complex business problems, think laterally, and develop creative solutions.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Passion for client success and a commitment to exceeding expectations.
- Willingness to travel to client sites within the UK and potentially within the EU.

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.

Permanent only: 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 culture thrives on our core values, designed for impact-driven individuals: Heart, Brains and Courage.

We lead with Heart, fostering empathy and trust where genuine connections and human-centric work flourish. We empower your Brains for innovation, valuing relentless curiosity and collaborative intelligence to solve complex challenges. And we champion Courage, inspiring you to speak up, embrace experimentation, and advocate for bold solutions that push our thinking to be better than yesterday.

At  WPP Enterprise Solutions

WPP Enterprise Solutions designs, builds, and operates the growth systems that competitive businesses rely on. In a world where Al is reshaping how companies drive growth, we lead clients in business transformation and marketing modernisation, connecting strategy directly to execution.

Our 12,000 experts in engineering and platforms, commerce, consulting, content transformation, CRM, and CX, work within a unified global operating unit across 40+ markets. WPP Enterprise Solutions works alongside best-in-class partners including Adobe, AWS, Braze, Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Shopify, as well as innovators in AI, to deliver growth solutions tailored to the needs of our clients’ businesses. We have received distinction as a leader in Commerce Services and CX Strategy Consulting by the Forrester Wave™

To find out more, visit [enterprisesolutions.wpp.com](https://enterprisesolutions.wpp.com/) and follow us on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/wpp-enterprise-solutions).

WPP Enterprise Solutions is part of [WPP](https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/wpp.com/__;!!IfJP2Nwhk5Z0yJ43lA!L_cfT4E3gsmmDY1lVQTB6ihlfPeBl9X4sMM2KI6iWZYexC2nCeZ9oxgP9qvgbrqxIBpx82rGb_mWqh5F0zKxq5_dP7Y$), 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.

## #LI-EMEA  #LI-HYBRID

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.

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](https://www.vml.com/recruitment-privacy-policy). California residents should read our [California Recruitment Privacy Notice](https://www.vml.com/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.

## About VML

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: VML is a global creative company that helps brands drive growth by seamlessly connecting Brand Experience, Customer Experience, and Commerce through a human-first, tech-enabled approach.
- **Entity Type**: Public (subsidiary of WPP, LSE: WPP)
- **Headquarters**: New York, United States
- **Founded**: 2024 (formed from the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, with legacy agencies dating back to 1864)
- **Founders**: Not applicable – the company was formed by merging two WPP agencies; Global CEO is Jon Cook

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Advertising services, marketing, digital transformation, brand consulting
- **Target customers**: B2B – large enterprise brands across sectors (consumer goods, healthcare, technology, retail, etc.)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: “Create connected brands that become a part of people’s lives and drive growth for client partners” – guided by a “Human First” creative philosophy.

## Products & Services
- **Brand Experience (BX)**: Compelling brand worlds and creative platforms that build emotional connections from the first touchpoint.
- **Customer Experience (CX)**: Intelligent digital platforms, loyalty programs, and data-driven customer journeys that deepen relationships.
- **Commerce**: Seamless, innovative commerce solutions that convert interest into action.
- **Technology Transformation**: Digital infrastructure, platform engineering, and AI-powered marketing via WPP Open.
- **Health**: Specialized healthcare marketing and communications (VML Health).

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed for VML (parent WPP’s market cap is ~£8B as of mid-2025). 
- **Key Metric**: 26,000+ employees across 150+ offices globally (vml.com); some sources report 34,000+ on LinkedIn.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Parent company WPP; key clients include blue-chip global brands (not publicly listed).
- **Growth Signals**: 
  - Formed in 2024 from two major WPP agencies, consolidating over 300 years of combined expertise.
  - 373 active job postings (LinkedIn, as of mid-2026) with +80.2% quarterly growth in postings.
  - Named No. 3 on an unspecified industry ranking (vml.com/expertise).
  - VML Foundation has contributed over $3.2 million to charitable causes.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Human First approach**: A creative philosophy that prioritizes deep understanding of human needs, making campaigns more resonant and effective.
- **Connected capabilities**: Unlike pure creative or tech firms, VML integrates BX, CX, and Commerce into a single, unified offering.
- **Scale and heritage**: 26,000 people in 50+ markets, with legacy from J. Walter Thompson, Y&R, Wunderman, and VML.
- **WPP Open**: Access to WPP’s AI-powered marketing operating system for intelligent, measurable, and scalable solutions.
- **Inclusion Experience**: A dedicated consultancy helping clients design inclusive experiences for people with disabilities.

## Strategic Focus
- Deepening the integration of creativity and technology to deliver “connected brands.”
- Expanding AI-driven marketing and personalization through WPP Open.
- Growing the Health practice and Commerce capabilities.
- Investing in talent development and culture (e.g., Emerge Internship Program, Catalyst Academy, All Win Program).
- Continuing to build a diverse, inclusive workforce and culture of belonging.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Emphasizes “Human First” internally – belonging, continuous learning, and authentic personal branding. The Culture & Belonging team actively fosters understanding and empathy.
- **Career Development**: Bespoke platforms for career mapping, feedback coaching, and skills building. Programs like Catalyst Academy (12-month global program) and Emerge US Internship (10-week) provide structured growth.
- **Work Environment**: Hybrid and office-based roles; 150+ offices worldwide offer global mobility. The Detroit Experience Studio and All Win Program show community engagement.
- **Perks & Benefits**: VML Foundation (employee-led giving), wellness resources, and a focus on mental and physical health.
- **Engineering Culture**: For tech roles, exposure to large-scale digital transformation projects, WPP Open AI platform, and modern data/tech stacks.

## Sources
1. [vml.com/careers](https://www.vml.com/careers) – Careers page with culture, programs, and values.
2. [vml.com/about-us](https://www.vml.com/about-us) – About page with company overview, leadership, and history.
3. [vml.com/expertise](https://www.vml.com/expertise) – Description of core services and capabilities.
4. [linkedin.com/company/vml](https://www.linkedin.com/company/vml) – LinkedIn company page with employee count, job postings, and recent departures.

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