Strategy Director

SPCSHP is looking for a Strategy Director based in the Midwest (Chicago, Detroit, or Minn). You like brands and you get excited and inspired to do great work for them. You know a powerful insight when you see one. You know how to use insights to shape work and ensure that it is impactful and human. You can package and present a compelling narrative. You can manage a team of inspiring strategists and strategic thinkers across multiple disciplines. Most importantly, you love this stuff -  stories of insights, innovation, trends, people and culture. You live to make people inspired and curious, to open minds to new possibilities.
Roles + Responsibilities: 
Maintain a deep understanding of culture, identifying macro and micro shifts in the landscape and helping teams connect these changes to brand and business opportunities
Develop strategic narratives to inspire audience-led ideas that meet brand needs effectively, in unexpected ways
Consult with clients on a range of strategic initiatives, including positioning, brand strategy, creative strategy, and comms strategy
Ensure the highest quality briefs and strategic inputs are inspiring the creative process, partnering with Analytics, Creative, and Account leads to do so
Ensure the work is achieving our client's broader business and marketing goals
Nurture the capabilities and careers of junior team members while also proactively managing the team’s day-to-day
Serve as the strategic leader for a key client relationship, and take accountability for rallying the team to be the best possible strategic partner for that client
Work in partnership with internal teams to continually guide clients towards bold and innovative solutions, manage senior relationships, and identify long-term proactive opportunities outside of given briefs
Relentlessly raise the bar, pushing beyond the bounds of traditional marketing and embedding brands into culture
Requirements
8-10+ years of experience in integrated strategy development at a creative agency.
Must be Midwest-based (Minneapolis, Chicago or Detroit preferred)
Experience working in food + beverage, QSR clients is highly desired.
Excellent verbal and written communicator, comfortable preparing POVs, presentations, and speaking in front of groups
Proven thought leadership on modern brands and today’s cultural landscape.
Quantitative and qualitative research experience (tracking studies, focus groups, in-depth interviews, ethnographies) with an ability to identify and adapt insights.
Innate curiosity and a desire to understand people, culture, and the world.
Passionate about great work, including both taking a hands-on role in its creation and the ability to talk about it in a compelling way to senior and C-Suite clients.
Seeks out opportunity and challenge