Head of Strategy

**Our client a leader in the Public Relations / Communications sector, based in Johannesburg is currently looking to employ an experienced** & dynamic **Head of Strategy to their team. **An awesome career opportunity awaits.**

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**Requirements**:

- At least 10 years of extensive experience in an account or brand planning role at an advertising, digital, integrated marketing, or PR agency.
- This individual will need to be able to take a leadership and consultative role both within the organization, as well as with clients. This is important, since you would be working across all practices (brand, corporate, advisory). Rather, there is a need to assess briefs on a case-by-case basis, and proactively identify opportunities for growth and drive trust for our clients as well as within the business.
- Experience in planning, insight, and analysis within a diverse array of practices/sectors and across multiple brand categories.
- Ability to develop big ideas into communications frameworks.
- Familiarity with agency planning models and capabilities.
- Solid grasp of brand strategy and brand equity assessment.
- Ability to consult on primary research and lead secondary research (based on core research skills such as designing and executing ethnographies, focus groups and brand workshops, as well as data analysis.)
- Proven track record of building effective interpersonal relationships with direct reports, strategy, creative and account management colleagues, leadership, and clients, and successfully navigating matrixed organizations.
- Strong presentation skills, ability to articulate smart and sometimes complex solutions in a straightforward and lucid manner to a variety of internal and external audiences.
- Deft at developing powerful narratives to deliver insights and strategy for client buy-in.
- Understands role that PR and social media play in the overall communications marketing mix.
- Has played a significant role in successfully establishing a new brand, leading a “Challenger Brand” to greater prominence, or reinventing an established brand so that it’s now flourishing again and is able to speak to results of these efforts.

**Responsibilities and Expectations**:

- Determine priorities and develop/challenge the brief; set the bar for depth of insights and creative fodder.
- Use a research driven approach to develop the right questions, be an aggregator and help us stand apart at the table.
- Able to bridge the gap between the consumer trends and the industry and determine appropriate channels for the brand based on editorial themes, target audience, brand objectives etc.
- Explore the intersection of culture, brands, and audiences from new angles to arrive at deeper insights, more provocative marketing strategies and breakthrough brand-building platforms.
- Oversee development/write and gain approval of ideation briefs from key stakeholders (internally or with client).
- Lead development/execution of ideation sessions, including moderating and/or conducting upfront briefing of one/more areas.
- Write strategic narrative; collaborate with account teams to ensure seamless story.
- Lead/consult the analysis of the 5 Cs: Culture, Consumer, Competitive, Corporate and Communication.
- Consult on primary research initiatives ensuring methodologies match research objectives.
- Oversee secondary research by analyzing data research to learn new insights and support strategy and provide guidance on which key insights should inform the narrative.
- Share work continually based on user not client.
- Manage a portfolio of accounts and ensure overall performance of client campaigns.
- Map research timelines and milestones that can be adjusted and budgeted by Project Management and Account leads.
- Play a lead role in the business development process and gains the confidence of the prospect, thereby contributing positively to the company’s financial objectives.
- Collaborate seamlessly with the company’s business units (Consumer, Digital, Corporate, etc.) to identify and articulate opportunities where there is no formal RFP or RFI.
- Work directly with clients and prospects, gaining their trust, and inspiring them to take the right risks so they may become known for brand 'firsts' that wow their consumers and audiences, while ensuring their professional success.
- Is an active partner to New Business team and Account leads, developing prospecting and pitch materials.
- Advocate for planning, the Living Brief, and infusing insights into the creative process.
- Mentor teams and direct reports as applicable and advance the planning function internally by developing their skills.
- Demonstrate internal and external thought leadership by contributing to/developing the company’s point of view on planning and representing the firm externally via networking opportunities, speaking engagements, etc.