Associate Strategy Director

AKQA Media; London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the digital space is seeking an Associate Strategy Director to shape human-centred experiences that drive business impact. This role involves leading strategic workstreams, conducting market analysis, and collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams to deliver innovative products. The ideal candidate has over 8 years of experience and a strong background in product and experience strategy.

Qualifications

• 8+ years experience in experience strategy, product strategy, or related roles.
• Proven expertise in designing and launching digital products grounded in human-centred design.
• Strong sense of end-to-end brand thinking.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end experience and product strategy on key projects.
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative research to uncover human insights.
• Mentor junior strategists and contribute to new business opportunities.

Skills

Experience Strategy

Product Strategy

Service Design

Human-Centred Design

Market Analysis

Facilitation

Job description

Strategists at AKQA make our client’s business their business. Working with client service, UX, creative, and tech teams, they are the voice of both the client’s business and the consumer.

Drawn from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, our strategists develop and apply market insights, data and trends to communicate and drive innovation opportunities.

As an Associate Strategy Director — Experience & Digital Product Strategy, you will shape visionary, human-centred experiences that drive real business impact and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. You will be a key driver in defining and delivering innovative digital products and services for our clients, working within a collaborative and dynamic team.

With a sharp strategic mind and a passion for great design, you’ll help clients navigate complexity, uncover opportunities, and define innovative products and services that set new standards in their industries. You will be a champion for user-centricity, ensuring that all solutions are grounded in deep understanding of user needs and behaviors.

As part of the AKQA team, you will work in an environment that fosters a dynamic and meritocratic culture, surrounded by some of the brightest minds in their fields.

You will report to the Group Strategy Director, London and collaborate on leading the strategy team.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

Lead Strategic Workstreams:

• Own the end-to-end experience and product strategy on key projects, from discovery and definition to design support and implementation oversight.


• Craft clear, compelling strategies that bridge user needs, business goals, and technological possibilities.

Champion Human-Centred Design:

• Conduct, commission, and interpret qualitative and quantitative research to uncover deep human insights.


• Translate insights into actionable personas, journey maps, opportunity areas, and experience frameworks.

Design Customer Journeys & Ecosystems:

• Map current and future-state customer journeys, identifying pain points, needs, and moments that matter across digital and physical touchpoints.


• Create experience blueprints and service models that align brand promise with delivery.

Shape Product Vision & Roadmaps:

• Define clear product propositions, value cases, experience principles, and prioritized roadmaps that guide design and development teams.

Inspire Clients & Teams:

• Present strategic thinking and experience visions in a way that builds trust, drives decisions, and inspires action.


• Facilitate workshops, co-creation sessions, and design sprints with clients and cross-disciplinary teams.

Define Measurement & Impact:

• Collaborate with data and analytics teams to establish KPIs and measurement frameworks that link experience performance to business outcomes.

Conduct Market & Trend Analysis:

• Analyze industry trends, competitive products, and emerging technologies to uncover innovation opportunities and inform strategic recommendations.

Ensure Strategic Integrity Through Delivery:

• Partner closely with design, technology, and delivery teams to ensure the strategy is faithfully executed — adjusting as needed without losing sight of the vision.

Grow Talent & Thought Leadership:

• Mentor and develop junior strategists, nurturing a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and craft excellence.


• Contribute to new business opportunities, thought leadership, and agency culture.

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

• 8+ experience in experience strategy, product strategy, service design, or related roles within leading digital or innovation agencies.


• Proven expertise in designing and launching digital products and services, grounded in human-centred design.


• A strong sense of end-to-end brand thinking — able to translate creative brand positioning and big ideas into tangible products, services, and experiences that bring the brand to life at every touchpoint.


• Confident in applying a range of research methods, synthesizing insights, and connecting them to creative opportunities.


• Skilled at simplifying complexity, crafting compelling narratives, and influencing senior clients.


• A persuasive facilitator — comfortable leading workshops, co-creation sessions, and client meetings.


• A collaborative leader who thrives in multi-disciplinary teams and inspires people around them.


• A natural curiosity about people, culture, technology, and what’s next.

Explore our extensive range of benefits here.

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

AKQA is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.