Job Description:
MKTG S+E is a global agency that harnesses the power of sports and entertainment for brands. For over 20 years, we've ignited fandom and innovated activation in the world of sports and entertainment to make something worth noticing, engaging, liking, sharing and remembering. We leverage deep INSIGHTS and our network of seasoned & creative team members to create IMPACT between properties, fans & brands. MKTG S+E is a part of the broader dentsu Sports International network.
As Director of Strategy, you will lead MKTG Canada's agile Strategy Team; being a strategic advisor across our Tier-1 clients; develop unique and creative market-leading approaches to achieve their brand & business objectives through sponsorship. You will report into the Managing Director, MKTG Canada.
A big-picture thinker, you will lead multiple projects concurrently, working on nuanced challenges for both our retainer and project-based clients—succinctly framing up the issues to be solved for and mapping the process to handle it. Your challenge will be to articulate a clear point of view to ambiguous projects, confidently guiding and inspiring c-suite client decision makers, interdisciplinary agency partners (e.g. media/creative), and our teams alike with innovative solutions.
You have 'fan focused' perspective —whether that's in sports, music, gaming, arts, social influencers, philanthropy or events. Driven by curiosity about people and culture, you know how to blend art and science to understand an audience—using research and analytics to uncover true insights about consumers and their interests— informing a compelling strategic thread to tie a client's sponsorships, communications, social media and activations together in a creative articulation that will fuel engagement. You are equally comfortable commissioning and digging through research, observing how audiences behave in-person and online, or facilitating brainstorming workshops with important client team members. Turning the resulting insights into a clear and actionable strategic recommendation, through your honed story-telling and presentation skills.
Externally, you will build long-term relationships and become the go-to advisor for senior clients. Internally, you will help define MKTG's strategic practices, spearheading thought leadership in the industry, and mentoring team members to grow the team's capabilities.
Responsibilities:
70% – Strategic Consulting
1. Translate applicable important insights into clear client strategies
o Define opportunities, insights, and frameworks that inspire strategic recommendations and creative solutions for clients
o Uncover Company, Competitive, Cultural, Consumer, and Category insights as they relate to the client's business, goals, target audience, and sponsorship properties
2. Leverage persuasion, story-telling and strong presentation skills to bring innovative visions to life
o Distil complex information into simple yet 'easy to consume' stories; deliver them in an engaging and inspirational manner
o Build presentations that articulate recommendations, providing a strong and informed point of view on how Clients should behave and capture opportunities for growth
3. Drive Thought Leadership opportunities to differentiate MKTG in the marketplace
o Design/commission primary (proprietary) research, in addition to secondary and syndicated research mining and analysis
o Recommend sponsorship measurement and KPI frameworks
o Monitor and interpret cultural and social trends
4. Lead agency creative brainstorming process to uncover client specific narratives
o Act as a bridge between the agency's Consulting and Brand Activations teams — preparing creative briefs, leading brainstorms, developing creative territories, and defining the tactics to help bring a sponsorship to life
o Comprehensively understand how sponsorship strategies & concepts can be creatively amplified through both traditional and digital/social communication channels
o Moderate multi-layered client working sessions & stakeholder interviews to uncover ownable and innovative strategic territories
30% – Agency Operations
o Lead one direct report - Associate Strategist
o Shape internal processes & create frameworks for efficient strategy development
o Support MKTG's business development process—playing a critical role in prospecting, responding to RFPs, establishing proposals, pitching, and onboarding new clients
Qualifications:
- 8+ years of relevant strategy experience in an agency setting, in senior roles.
- Bachelor's Degree in marketing, anthropology, sociology, psychology or other social science
- Experience working across a range of relevant industries/sectors
- Experience with sports but also tapped into culture drivers of music, arts and fashion
- Experience leading a team of strategists whose work you will help guide and refine
- Experience building strong partnerships with internal colleagues and clients alike to create and align on creative strategies that meet a range of different business, marketing and communications objectives.
- Experience guiding cross-functional, inter-agency teams and across diverse opportunities and channels
- Experience partnering with and persuading senior client leadership
- Understanding of traditional, and modern primary research methods
- Understanding of all major audience facing channels, both traditional and digital, across paid, owned, and earned.
- Understanding of the latest industry and pop culture trends, breakthrough creative campaigns, and emerging technologies
- Experience in sponsorship, events, sports, arts, or lifestyle considered an asset
The salary range for this position is $97,500-$130,000. Actual salary within the salary range will be based on a variety of factors including relevant experience, knowledge, and skills. A range of medical, dental, RRSP, paid time off, and/or other benefits also are available to all permanent employees.
We know through experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds foster a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better business results. We strive to create workplaces that reflect the clients we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. We are committed to working with our candidates from all ability levels throughout the recruitment process to ensure that they have what they need to be at their best. If you need accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact Canada.Recruitment@dentsu.com or to begin a conversation about your individual accessibility needs throughout the hiring process.
#LI-Hybrid #LI-CP1 #LI-MKTG
This is a hybrid role
Location:
Toronto
Brand:
Mktg Sports
Time Type:
Full time
Contract Type:
Permanent
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