Head of Strategy (adapt as needed to your organization)

The Director of Strategic Services will be responsible for the development and leadership for the agency's strategic practice. The Director of Strategic Services reports to the Agency partners along with senior creative leadership in a highly collaborative and team-oriented environment with the aim of winning new business as well as managing the strategic marketing development for some of the most recognized brands in the world. In addition, typically responsible for helping to build and grow awareness of the The agency Brand by acting as an outward facing thought leader.

The Director of Strategic Services (DSS) maintains and grows our agency's business and client base on an ongoing and project basis. S/he will create and maintain relationships with existing and potential clients, developing strategic solutions and plans that best fit the agency and clients’ needs. S/he is responsible for creating brand identities through research and applying experience to uncover an in-depth knowledge of the organizational process, competitive threats and opportunities of a client’s business. The DSS will also manage the campaign measurement process to ensure that clients and agency are aligned on key performance metrics, establishing realistic business goals, and providing accountability through reporting and analytics, and providing optimized strategies moving forward. In this role, the DSS insures that the agency provides:

Sound and responsible marketing counseling and planning.
Innovator and influencer level communications.
Deliver a consistently superior creative product.
Work that is strategic and above all creative.

The Requirements

MBA preferred, or Masters in Business or Marketing, commensurate experience in building agency client portfolios.
Interest in and aptitude for creative business and marketing solutions
Minimum of ten years experience brand/marketing/communications strategy experience in integrated, brand and digital communications.
Highly motivated, with a proven track record of building clients and expansion of client accounts
Ability to identify strategic needs, lead all aspects of planning with sound business recommendations, and generate alignment with key business partners
Demonstrate strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
Excellent presentation skills that encompass clear, compelling communications
Track record of experience managing and mentoring with high integrity and the ability to inspire others
Experience navigating large and complex organizations, including gaining access to key executives and stakeholders and successfully managing relationship building dynamics and processes
Ability to manage multiple business initiatives in an entrepreneurial environment
Expert knowledge of all functional agency departments, capabilities and service areas
Deep understanding of a wide range of industries, markets and brands, and what it takes to stand out and service them
Exceptional communication and presentation skills
Flexibility with schedule to meet client commitments, traveling as required to pursue business development
Great project management abilities
Self motivated and willing to expand knowledge
Ability to self-manage while managing assigned teams and projects.

The Director of Strategic Services position requires ongoing and in-depth interactions with the following: The DSS reports to the agency partners. Within the agency, the DSS is a co-leader for our new business and client integration efforts. As assigned, the DSS has overall responsibility for leading assigned client strategic services effort. Within the agency, the DSS works closely with all agency personnel in developing plans, recommendations and deliverables. The DSS will have direct client contact with new and existing assigned agency clients, PR and consultants, media partners and potential agency partners.

Responsibilities and Duties

The Director of Strategic Services has four areas of responsibility (specific duties of each are explained below)

Planning, Analyzing, Evaluating

Develop workable budgets, work plans and realistic timetables.
Collaborates with the Account Supervisor or Manager, Client Services, on preparation of marketing recommendations, strategies and actions for the client.
Reviews, analyzes and evaluates the following, relative to the client’s needs and objectives: media output, creative output, research reports and client data.
Defining project scope, estimate and writing proposals, works with producer in the creation of project specifications and time plans.
Identify and develop target list of clients and partners
Understand business objectives, challenges and opportunities of target and industry
Responsible for departmental vision, structure, and management while providing leadership, accountability, and mentorship to brand strategy.
Develop in collaboration with the The agency team, innovative and / or differentiating products and services

Team Leading, Coordinating, Managing

Be the agency’s lead brand evangelist, embodying Impact’s core values and differentiating perspectives
Identify the right opportunities across industry sectors and media that align with the agency’s ongoing strategy
Maintain and develop prospective client and key strategic partners network
Develop integrated marketing strategies and tactical plans to meet and exceed the client’s marketing and business goals and objectives
Generate and drive insight for internal and client audiences around media, brands, consumers, and experiences
Represent the agency at conferences, events and symposiums
Provide market research, analyses and insights into latest industry trends
Position Impact with key industry influencers and though leaders
Lead and manage new business presentations as assigned
Grow and develop existing client accounts.
Monitoring and enforcing new business risk and constraints (schedule / scope / resources)
Champion internal systems for higher productivity working

Strategic Project Management

Manage agency strategy efforts and projects, involved with projects from start to finish, ensuring successful project completion against deadlines.
Product manage long term properties including: positioning development, marketing plans, manufacturing or development needs, timeline and roadmap planning, stats analysis and reporting
Develop integrated marketing strategies and tactical plans to meet and exceed the client’s marketing and business goals and objectives
Generate and drive insight for internal and client audiences around media, brands, consumers, and experiences
Design, execute and manage research
Manage measurement, analytics, data gathering, and reporting for clients’ and agency
Provide strategic branding thought leadership and expertise to expand business relationships
Oversee development of marketing plans and creative briefs
Training and developing staff (direct reports), and influencing cross-functional internal partners to create and execute effective research, analysis, and strategy
Developing and implementing new processes to increase efficiencies and effectiveness of research, measurement, and strategy work for teams
Work with all departments to develop integrated solutions and expand the services BG provides to clients
Actively participates in client presentations
Help lead research initiatives and manage outside consultants
Seeking new opportunities to add value to existing clients
Helps with identifying and nurturing new business opportunities