Director, Creative Strategy, Contract

twentysix; England; On-site; GBP 109,300 - 124,914; Full time

Job summary

DEPT® is seeking a Director of Creative Strategy to shape how iconic brands appear in the world, translating business goals into inspiring briefs and messaging territories. You will lead cross-functional teams, drive upper- and mid-funnel strategies, and manage high-stakes client relationships with senior marketing stakeholders.

We value 8+ years in creative/brand strategy and a track record of award-winning work.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in creative strategy, brand strategy, or integrated planning.
• Proven track record of campaign-level positioning, briefs, and territories.
• Deep knowledge of 360-degree integrated campaigns across upper- and mid-funnel channels.
• Exceptional storytelling and presentation skills with senior client stakeholder experience.
• Mastery of qualitative research to derive actionable creative directions.
• Curiosity and creativity with a drive to produce culturally relevant work.
• Proactive, resilient mindset in fast-paced environments with minimal processes.

Responsibilities

• Brand Positioning & Campaign Strategy: Develop compelling campaign-level brand positioning.
• Creative Briefs & Territories: Craft sharp briefs and define creative territories.
• 360° Integrated Strategy: Design holistic strategies for full-funnel media plans.
• Cross-Discipline Collaboration: Align with Creative leads, Comms Planners, and media specialists.
• Client Leadership & Pitching: Lead presentations and workshops with senior stakeholders.
• Audience Insights & Culture: Uncover insights via qualitative research and social listening.

Skills

Brand strategy

Creative strategy

Integrated planning

Storytelling

Executive presenting

Research methods

Job description

WHY DEPT®?

We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast, and moving further because standing still just is not in our DNA.

We are drawn to people who stay curious, move with intent, and never stop inventing. Our culture runs on three values: better together, relentlessly curious, and get sh*t done. It is how we work, how we grow, and how we make things that matter.

At DEPT®, you will find the freedom to explore, the space to collaborate, and the trust to make a real impact for our clients, for each other, and for the world we are helping to build.

THE ROLE:**

**As the Director, Creative Strategy, you are a critical strategic architect responsible for shaping how iconic brands show up in the world. You excel at developing sharp brand positioning at the campaign level and translating high-level business goals into inspiring creative briefs and messaging territories.

We are seeking a proactive, visionary leader who understands how to craft creative strategies that come to life across modern, 360-integrated media plans—specifically driving awareness and consideration across upper- and mid-funnel touchpoints. You will bridge the gap between brand strategy, media, culture, and creative execution, inspiring internal creative teams and leading high-stakes client relationships.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Brand Positioning & Campaign Strategy: Develop compelling campaign-level brand positioning that differentiates clients in crowded markets and resonates with targeted audiences.
• Creative Briefs & Territories: Craft sharp, inspiring creative briefs and define creative territories that fuel breakthrough ideas across creative, production, and design teams.
• 360° Integrated Strategy: Design holistic creative strategies tailored for full-funnel media plans, with a strong focus on driving upper-funnel brand awareness and mid-funnel consideration.
• Cross-Discipline Collaboration: Partner closely with Creative leads, Comms Planners, and Cross-Discipline Media Activation specialists to ensure strategic alignment from concept through execution and optimization.
• Client Leadership & Pitching: Lead high-stakes client presentations, workshops, and share-outs, establishing trust with senior marketing stakeholders and executive leaders.
• Audience Insights & Culture: Uncover deep audience, cultural, and competitive insights through qualitative research and social listening to inform creative direction.

WHY DEPT®?

• 8+ years of experience in creative strategy, brand strategy, or integrated planning within a fast-paced agency or brand environment.
• Proven track record of developing campaign-level positioning, creative briefs, and creative territories that result in award-winning or business-driving creative execution.
• Deep knowledge of 360-degree integrated campaigns, specifically how creative strategy adapts to upper- and mid-funnel media channels (e.g., CTV/OOH, social, creator/influencer, digital, content, experiential).
• Exceptional storytelling and presentation skills, with a history of confidently pitching to and managing relationships with C‑suite and senior client stakeholders.
• Mastery of qualitative and research methods to synthesize complex data into simple, actionable creative springboards.
• A value for curiosity and creativity, with a drive to make things that are new, culturally relevant, and compelling—not just sensible.
• A proactive, resilient mindset that thrives in fast-paced, dynamic environments with minimal processes.

**WE SUPPORT YOU BEING YOU: **

DEPT® is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We believe our work is its best when our people feel safe and free to be themselves. We’re committed to an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection process and workplace, regardless of anyone’s identity, background, beliefs, lifestyle or disabilities. So tell us about any accommodations you need. It’s totally confidential and only used to make sure you feel fully supported at every step.

DEPT® participates in E-Verify, meaning your Form I-9 information will be sent to the federal government to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.

We are a B Corp-certified company passionate about purpose-driven work. Our hope is that you can feel good about the contributions DEPT® is making to the world and we always have an open door for your ideas in making the world a better place.

DEPT® is a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, our 4,000+ specialists deliver growth invention across Brand & Media, Experience, Commerce, CRM, and Technology & Data. We’re 50|50 tech and marketing, partner-led, and first to move. Clients include Google, Lufthansa, Coach, eBay, and OpenAI.

Learn more about DEPT®.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.

#LI-Remote

The anticipated salary range for this position is listed below. Salary is based on a range of factors that include relevant experience, expertise,** physical location**, and organizational impact. This is based on a 40-hour workweek and leveling. Keep in mind, we’re flexible.

US Remote Range$70—$80 USD