Strategy Director - FMCG and Consumer Brands

Full Job Description

Want to design meaningful solutions that solve problems, forge connections, shape culture and create possibility?

Then come help us design better brands at Elmwood.

We’re looking for a strategy director to join our growing strategy team. Someone who believes in the power of design to transform brands, and who has their finger on the pulse of culture and consumer trends. Someone who wants to be part of a team that’s pushing the boundaries of what design can achieve.

You’ll play crucial role in defining and delivering large strategy projects and workstreams for our most significant consumer clients. We’re looking for someone who is confident in delivering all the strategy classics while acting as a consultant and partner - inspiring both your clients and creative teams, translating strategic vision into distinctive design platforms that deliver commercial results.

You’ll be part of a small and experienced senior strategy team each with their own portfolio of client brands. Day to day you’ll work closely with client service and design leads, getting involved with every aspect of strategy delivery for your clients – meaning you’ll be equally at ease engaging senior clients as rolling up your sleeves to do the work – taking real ownership and delivering extraordinary impact.

This is a permanent role, offered on a full-time or more flexible part-time working arrangement (of no less than 4 days pw).

What you'll do:

• Focus on an exciting part of our most significant consumer client’s portfolio as part of a dynamic strategic and creative team – but not be limited to this.
• Lead the strategic thinking from start to finish on your projects - putting high quality strategic thinking at the heart of every brand
• Deliver the highest quality strategic content – from insight finding and auditing to brand definition and portfolio strategy through to creative ideation
• Develop an expert point of view on the categories you work in to be able to provoke new thinking with your clients
• Facilitate and inspire others in generating ideas, leading the creative process internally and externally
• Craft compelling decks with a clear strategic narrative, and a be confident presenter to senior client teams.
• Help to grow client relationships and reputation by working closely with the client service, design and marketing teams.
• Bring a T-shaped attitude – balancing left brain organisation with right brain creativity

What you'll have done:

• Rich experience of working in busy, dynamic agency environment.
• Experience in brand and design with a passion and emerging expertise in the fundamentals of brand strategy - purpose, positioning, innovation, architecture, and portfolio strategy – as well as a confident understanding in how to design and refresh brand identities.
• Speak the language of design and with knowledge of its powerful role in digital content and brand experience
• A way with words that helps to make the most complex ideas simple and inspiring for everyone
• Ideally you have some experience in some of the following: Innovation, cultural trends, digital platforms and/or research insights and analytics

Who you are;

• A true team player who knows their way around brand strategy but retains a passion for learning about and trying new ideas for the benefit of both the team and the client.
• You like to get stuck in, work with a team, and make new connections within the agency and beyond.
• You are passionate about every aspect of brand strategy – from audits to ideas, from helping to agenda a workshop to delivering inspirational thought leadership in the workshop.
• You are connected to culture and brand-obsessed, always excited by insight and future trends.
• You are a collaborative communicator, able to connect with clients and the team, and quickly win their trust and confidence, talking their talk to provide solutions to their brand challenges.

What we offer:

Alongside a market appropriate salary commensurate with the level of this role, you will have access to an outstanding benefits package including:

• 26 days base holiday plus Christmas closure, Inspiration days and Oxygen days
• 5% pension contribution with optional salary sacrifice (and with the employer saving gifted’ back to the employee’s pension pot)
• Hybrid working environment with work from home up to 4 days per week and one day in the studio (Thursday)
• Flexible working hours (8-10am and 4-6pm) and 3pm finish Fridays
• Monthly home working allowance
• Annual salary review and bonus scheme
• Performance based promotions
• Private medical insurance, health cash plan and life assurance
• Enhanced parental benefits
• Annual Summer and Christmas party along with various other social events throughout the year
• Up to 4 weeks’ ‘Workcation’ every year
• A fabulous and fun Studio environment
• An active DE&I committee with regular events and talks organised