Strategist

Burson is the global communications leader built to create value for clients through reputation. With highly specialized teams, industry-leading technologies and breakthrough creative, we help brands and businesses redefine reputation as a competitive advantage so they can lead today and into the future. When you work at Burson, you are part of a global community of lifelong learners who thrive at the edge of innovation.

Burson Canada is looking for a Creative Strategist to become an accelerant and catalyst, working to help Burson promote and protect our clients’ reputation through earned-first, impact-driving solutions.

As a Creative Strategist, you’re able to interrogate a client’s brief to clearly articulate the objectives and develop clear insights built on data, analytics and strategic craft. You lead research, test ideas and develop brand and campaign strategies, partnering closely with the Executive Creative Director and Creative teams as well as the broader agency across varied sectors, practices and services. You’re both a leader and a doer. You’re an experienced visionary with the responsibility of ensuring that the execution supports the strategy. You’re a highly strategic thinker and an influential collaborator. You'll be a key driver in developing strategies for innovative programs and campaigns, leading the process with a keen eye for detail but also able to zoom out to see the big picture. You’re always happy to offer a POV, but you’re also the best listener in the room, knowing that’s the best way to spot a powerful insight or opportunity.

And to top it all off, you’re someone who can attend any client meeting across any industry to help demonstrate the role of Burson’s strategic and creative offering.

What you'll do:

• Leading and interpreting research, data and analytics to provide informed trends, insights and earned-first, reputation driving value propositions that inspire creative and consulting teams.
• Serving as a true collaborator, crafting creative briefs for integrated campaigns by working closely with the creative and account teams to ensure PR strategy and positioning is right from the start.
• Advocating Burson’s capabilities with new and existing clients; demonstrating how innovative, channel neutral ideas and experiences, informed by data and strategy, can connect brands with their public better than ever before.
• Establishing strong relationships with internal stakeholders to support the strategic and creative offering.
• Passion, tenacity, and enthusiasm for the Burson brand and its strategic process and ways of working.

Experience that contributes to success:

• You must have a minimum of 8-10 years of agency experience with a proven track record of success leading creative strategy for integrated campaigns within the evolving digital landscape.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to work across multiple industry sectors and teams, both internal and external.
• Ability to understand and interpret research and data analytics to determine key audience insights and develop sound strategies that align with strategic business objectives.
• Team player able to collaborate effectively with our research group, client and creative teams to develop messaging that brings our stories to life, connecting successfully with the target audience.
• Superb business development skills; able to present to clients and internal stakeholders with charisma and passion; effectively selling in the importance of creative strategy.
• Management experience with the ability to lead and inspire a team.

You belong at Burson:

Our vision is for Burson to be the leading ‘academy company’ for creative communications professionals and emerging leaders. We provide a dynamic environment where ambitious colleagues come to elevate their skills, expand their networks, and ultimately, produce the best solutions for today’s leading brands. Our commitment to your growth is reflected in our robust benefits and people programs, which include professional development opportunities, mentorship programs with industry leaders, a vibrant and inclusive company culture fostering collaboration and innovation and packages designed to reward and retain top talent. We invest in our people because we believe their success is our success.

At Burson, we’re an agency of learn-it-alls. We recognize that the things we do best, creativity and communications, require a level of nuanced understanding. That’s why it’s imperative for us to hire extraordinarily talented people of all backgrounds and identities. Without that we can’t do the essential work of inspiring bold ideas, fostering constructive dialogue, cultivating meaningful experiences, and driving innovation and creativity for our partners. Your unique point of view—your talent—is what makes you a #BursonPerson, and it’s how we deliver exceptional results for our clients, together.

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.