EMEA Head of Strategy - Bayer

OUR COMPANY 

Initiative unlocks business growth for the world’s most ambitious brands. We believe in the power of media to reshape our industry and orchestrate a brand’s entire consumer experience, by balancing both what unites people and what makes them different.  

When brands unite people in culture, they build Fame, and when brands connect individuals to their unique journeys, they build customer Flow.  

Media responsibility is at the forefront of everything we do, whether it’s creating media plans that reflect the diversity of our communities, promote brand safety, and foster sustainability.  

Our agency celebrates diversity in an inclusive environment where all of our 6,000+ strong talent across 90+ markets feel seen, heard, and valued. Our vision is to create not only a better media company, but also a better media industry, and maybe even a better world.

ROLE OVERVIEW

This role is to lead the EMEA regional strategy across the Bayer Consumer Health’s portfolio including iconic “Megabrands” such as Asprin, Berocca, Alka-Seltzer and Canesten. This is a rare, high-impact role at the intersection of media and creative strategy designed for a thinker who can sit upstream with global clients to  shape strategies that connect brand ambition, audience insight, and marketing effectiveness while also driving strategic rigor among key EMEA markets.

You will play a pivotal role in delivering brand platform and campaign strategies that translate seamlessly across creative and media, helping Bayer build the next era of consumer health brands.  

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Client Responsibilities:

• Develop regional and local market integrated brand and campaign strategies across priority brands in Bayer’s consumer health portfolio, developing holistic frameworks that unify creative and media thinking.
• Partner with the Analytics and Effectiveness teams to define robust, evidence-led growth strategies that determine where and how to invest across the paid, owned, earned, and shared ecosystem.
• Develop audience-first strategies that inspire breakthrough ideas and drive meaningful brand growth across markets.
• Develop best practice market guidance and provide oversight to ensure critical markets adhere to strategy frameworks that balance short-term activation with long-term brand building.
• Collaborate with senior creative and media leaders in workshop-style environments to co-create bold, category-defining strategies.
• Present confidently to senior regional and global marketing and brand leadership, influencing decisions that shape the future of Bayer’s global brands.
• Serve as a strategic thought leader connecting insight, innovation, and integration to make Bayer’s marketing future-focused and human-centred.

QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

• Deep experience developing communication strategies that drive significant brand impact, at advertising agencies or marketers. 
• Curiosity around insights and audience data, and the ability to synthesize data into actionable strategic recommendations. 
• Expertise in developing positive client relationships, delivering award-winning strategic work, and elevating the agency’s profile with key clients. 
• Ability to identify and pitch strategic growth opportunities, offering thought leadership on new trends, media habits, and product development opportunities. 
• Demonstrated success leading high-performing, cross-functional teams; proven ability to inspire teams and foster collaboration across departments, agencies, and clients. 
• Passion for creative thinking and the ability to produce award-winning, industry-leading and innovative strategic communications. 

Employee Transparency 

At IPG Mediabrands, we celebrate differences and believe this makes us stronger. IPG Mediabrands are an equal-opportunity employer committed to championing an inclusive culture that provides a sense of belonging for all our employees. We do not discriminate against any applicant based on age, disability, race, colour, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, belief, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law. 

Please reach out to Ninette at [email protected], if you would like to have a confidential conversation regarding any adjustments that would ensure our recruitment process is accessible for you. Please note requesting a reasonable adjustment will not affect your application.

The Perks 

We aim to provide all our people with a supportive and fun work environment where you can develop your full potential and benefit from the broad range of opportunities within the agency. When you join us, we want to make sure you feel valued – and that you are rewarded for your fantastic work. So, we also offer a range of benefits:

• Flexi–leave, with 25 days annual leave to be taken as minimum. In addition to your holiday entitlement, the office usually closes between Christmas & New Year 
• Free breakfast and free lunch
• Early finish Fridays
• Core Hours (Mon-Thurs, flexible start/finish times)
• Retail discounts
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice car scheme 
• Wellbeing programme, including Headspace & flu jabs 
• Interest free season ticket loan
• Paid time off for Volunteering
• Group Income Protection
• Life Assurance
• Private Medical Insurance or Health Cash Plan (dependent on level)
• Group Personal Pension Plan with matched contributions from 3-6%
• Generous Parental Leave & Pay
• Independent mortgage advice
• Financial education
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free eye tests
• Flexible benefits including Dental, Travel insurance, Cycle to Work, Gym Discounts and many more!