Associate Strategy Director

Strategy Director Strategists at AKQA make our client's business their business. Working with Client Services, Experience Design, Creative, and Technology teams, they are the voice of both the client's business and the consumer. Drawn from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, our strategists develop and apply market insights, data and trends to communicate and drive innovation opportunities. We are currently seeking an Associate Strategy Director for our London studio. The ideal candidate will be a generalist strategist with a strong background in product design, digital platforms, and data, complemented by significant experience in brand, marketing, and communications strategy. You will be adept at developing user-centric products and digital experiences alongside broader brand-building initiatives across channels and ecosystems, leveraging data and insights to drive measurable impact. As part of the AKQA team, you will work in an environment that fosters a dynamic and meritocratic culture, surrounded by some of the brightest minds in their fields. You will report to the Group Strategy Director and collaborate with others across the London studio and wider EMEA region.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Understand the client's audiences, objectives, and priorities, and lead the definition of solutions to meet these needs.
• Execute research to distil and design insight that drives forward creative solutions to client brief objectives.
• Provide strategic direction for product design, digital platform development, and user experience, as well as brand, marketing, and communications initiatives, identifying key value propositions, user needs, and business value.
• Develop strategies that define the vision and roadmap for digital products and platforms, ensuring market differentiation and clear user value.
• Develop comprehensive strategies that detail tactics across the entire customer experience, encompassing brand communications, product lifecycle, and user journeys, translating strategic recommendations into actionable campaigns, product features, services, and experiences.
• Craft compelling narratives in presentations and to sell your work to clients, ensuring alignment of client objectives to strategic imperatives.
• Co-create closely with creative, experience, and technology teams to develop effective and performant solutions.
• Identify key opportunities to drive client value, satisfaction, and growth.
• Plan and lead client workshops and research sessions.
• Write briefs that provide clarity for creativity and collaborate to refine, align, and shape them into effective solutions.
• Own streams of strategic work, working autonomously and leading the strategic offering across one or more key account programs.
• Be a trusted strategic partner to clients and build strong relationships..
• Help lead and mentor our talented junior and midweight strategists.
• Be proactive, provoke debate, and identify what the agenda for future discussion should be.

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Experience in a relevant strategy role within a creative agency or consultancy environment.
• Generalist strategist with significant experience in products, platforms, and data, complemented by strong experience or a keen interest in brand, marketing, and communications strategy.
• Insatiable curiosity and can observe and identify patterns, trends, and insights, turning research and data into effectiveness and performance.
• Lateral and creative thinker with the ability to make complex topics simple, and a passion for creativity, innovation, and compelling experiences.
• A robust understanding of user journeys, product ecosystems, and how to drive innovative solutions throughout the product lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of how business, brands, and consumers interact, and how technology is impacting their lives.
• Familiarity with the design, application, and analysis of a wide range of quantitative and qualitative research.
• Passionate about collaboration, open-minded, and experienced in working with people from diverse cultures.
• Understand the big picture and have a sharp attention to detail, while always striving for best-in-class work.

AKQA is committed to developing wellbeing and supporting life choices for our team. We provide an extensive range of benefits. To find out more click here.

We believe great work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we've adopted a hybrid approach including required in-office days. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

AKQA is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular 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.