Strategic Planner

Are you a big thinker with an eye for detail? Do you find yourself dissecting campaigns, wondering what made them click (or not)?

At Viola, we’re seeking a Strategic Planner to join our dynamic and growing team. This role is ideal for someone who can think holistically, navigate diverse categories, and help shape strategies that inspire our integrated offerings across Advertising, Social, PR, Media, Events.

A deep understanding of the application of technology and digital approaches is core to what we’re looking for and an innate ability to make the complex, simple through storytelling which speaks to both heart and mind.

Key Responsibilities:

• Insight & research: Conduct in-depth research on market trends, audience behaviors, competitor landscapes, cultural shifts and emerging digital realities. Synthesize data into meaningful insights that fuel creative & strategic decision-making.
• Strategic development: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to build strategic frameworks & brand platforms that guide creative executions, media planning, PR narratives, social strategies & experiential and digital activations.
• Integrated thinking: Connect the dots across our business lines, ensuring cohesive strategies that leverage each discipline’s strengths while staying true to our client’s business objectives.
• Client collabs: Work closely with account leads & clients to understand business goals, articulate brand challenges & present compelling strategic recommendations with clarity & conviction.
• Creative and strategic briefing: Craft inspiring briefs that spark ideas, providing creative, PR, Events, Social and the larger strategy team with the right balance of insight & freedom to explore.
• Data-driven storytelling: Turn complex data into compelling, human-centric narratives that inform both, the internal teams & client presentations.
• Trendspotting: Stay ahead of industry trends, platform evolutions & consumer shifts to proactively inform future strategies.
• Project management: Support the Head of Strategy in managing timelines, deliverables & internal alignment across departments.

Qualifications & Experience:

• A curious, strategic mind with a passion for storytelling & cultural understanding.
• 2–4 years of experience in a planning/strategy role (agency or consulting experience preferred).
• Strong research & analytical skills, with the ability to distil complex information into clear insights.
• Excellent communication & presentation skills.
• Experience working across multiple categories or sectors is a plus. UAE government experience will be looked upon favorably.
• Proactive, collaborative & adaptable to the fast-paced rhythm of agency life.

At Viola Communications, we pride ourselves on serving clients from diverse backgrounds and with a vast range of experiences. We are dedicated to fostering a team of exceptional individuals who bring unique perspectives created by their different life paths. With representation from over 20 nationalities across our business units, we are an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and cultivates cultural diversity among our employees. We recognize and appreciate the exceptional strengths and experiences that each person brings, and we believe that by embracing differences, we can inspire and generate remarkable ideas collectively.