Senior Strategist - Branding & Innovation

The team specialises in the FMCG sector, with a focus on food & drink, working closely with a select group of major, forward-thinking companies to shape some of the world's biggest brands. The work is varied, tending to cover both brand positioning and innovation. Defining and designing a brand offering to occupy a distinctive place in the mind's eye of their target market. Spotting new opportunities for brands to stay relevant in a constantly changing world, developing new product ideas and capturing this visually in packaging and beyond. The team also works on commercial development, using storytelling and creativity to breathe life into a host of other growth-orientated internal initiatives, often simplifying the complex to cut through and have impact.

The team are now looking for an energetic, confident senior strategist to join the team, roll up their sleeves and get stuck in. As Senior Strategist, you'll take overall responsibility with a holistic view of processes & deliverables, working with the senior team when needed, but happy to own things on other occasions. You'll being happy proactively putting your hand up to lead workstreams, deliverables or specific meetings. The client services aspect is covered by the strategy team, so this needs to be something you relish and enjoy. You'll make the most of the independent agency flair, ready to introduce internal initiatives where needed, seeing opportunities for success with the client. You'll be keen to contribute to marketing content and perhaps even speak at agency events. You'll be looking to add value and make your mark. The Senior Strategist will become naturally attuned to their clients and get that sixth sense, knowing what's going on for them, and where to add value. You'll also have a natural commercial astuteness, always seeing future opportunities or ideas for new ideas and work. You'll be someone able to dissect briefs and understand how to apply tools, processes and ways of thinking to the challenge, sprinkling in a bit of your own magic. You'll own the step from distilled insight into strategic idea and beyond - platforms, brand frameworks, concept directions. You'll be someone who is able to develop strong written creative briefs, leading internal collaboration and proactively building or challenging on creative outputs. You'll be the person who moves the project or workstream forward and guides the rest of the team and client to action, whilst managing the nuts and bolts of the project. You'll be confident developing your own presentation style, flexing pace, tone and energy for different clients and different contexts. You'll be someone who is confident yet thoughtful in brainstorming, voicing opinions but making space for junior strategists to contribute and gain confidence too. The team is also very aware of work/life balance, so it will be very important this person has an awareness of their impact on others, keeping calm under pressure, lifting others up when needed, bring a positive approach to the studio. Someone who is keen to do their best and go the extra mile, but understands how and when to push back gently. Someone who is aware of the team's wellbeing and workload. Senior Strategist - Experience You'll have that great entrepreneurial, can-do attitude, be a team player, be up for new things. You'll also need to have some strong experience (5+ years) in the world of brand strategy and innovation. Experience from another strategic innovation agency would be superb, as would experience of working in the FMCG / food and drink field.

Spark

• offers a personalised recruitment service in the branding and communications sector. We give tailored practical advice to candidates and agencies to ensure you get the most out of your next move or hire. Our ambition is to be the most personal and the most effective - not the biggest. Meaning you get focused service from a dedicated team you can trust with 20+ years' experience within the industry.
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• change for you or your organisation.
  
  This agency have a long list of great benefits which include some of the following -
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Team breakfasts and socials
• 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays and Christmas shutdown
• Company pension scheme
• Healthcare plan
• Travel Insurance for business and personal use
• Income Protection Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Office perks: free snacks, yoga, happy hours etc
• Generous annual (discretionary) bonus based on individual and company performance