Head of Client Strategy

Talon; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Talon is seeking a Head of Client Strategy to lead strategic excellence across our client and agency partnerships in the UK. You will shape innovative, insight-led approaches that address client challenges and unlock value from OOH investments, driving commercial growth.

You will collaborate with Heads of Client, Business Directors and SBUs to deliver ambitious projects, ensure rigorous planning, and elevate our strategic offering across the business.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in senior strategic roles within OOH/agency environments.
• Proven track record in driving client growth and delivering strategic impact.
• Strong leadership and ability to develop talent across teams.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic growth across Talon's client portfolio and identify priority accounts.
• Build senior client and agency relationships as trusted strategic advisor.
• Lead bespoke, insight-led initiatives addressing client challenges and opportunities.
• Partner with client teams on high-value strategic projects and cross-functional input.
• Champion excellence in strategic planning and capability development across the business.
• Represent Talon externally through thought leadership and industry events.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder mgmt

OOH expertise

Strategic storytelling

Growth strategy

Job description

THE ROLE_

The Head of Client Strategy plays a leading role in driving strategic excellence across Talon's client and agency partnerships. The role leads the development of innovative, tailored approaches that address clients' business challenges, uncover new opportunities and support commercial growth, ensuring clients realise the full potential of their OOH investments.

Looking across Talon's full client portfolio and the wider media landscape, the Head of Client Strategy identifies emerging opportunities, anticipates industry challenges and develops proactive initiatives that benefit clients across the business. Working closely with the Heads of Client, Business Directors and specialist business units (SBUs), the role brings together expertise from across Talon to deliver ambitious strategic projects and solutions.

Reporting to the Chief Client Officer and sitting on Talon's Extended Leadership Team (ELT), the Head of Client Strategy leads and develops the Client Strategy function whilst contributing to the wider direction of the business. A key responsibility is championing excellence in strategic planning, developing the skills, knowledge and capabilities of teams across Talon.

This role also represents Talon externally through thought leadership, industry events and networking, strengthening our reputation as a leading OOH agency.

A DAY IN THE LIFE_

Client Growth & Strategic Development

• Drive strategic growth across Talon's client portfolio, working closely with the Heads of Client and Business Directors to identify priority accounts and opportunities for enhanced strategic engagement.
• Build and nurture senior client and agency relationships, acting as a trusted strategic advisor and supporting teams in articulating the value and effectiveness of OOH.
• Lead the development of bespoke, insight-led strategic initiatives that respond to clients' business challenges, maximise the effectiveness of their OOH investments and unlock new commercial opportunities.
• Partner with client teams on high-value strategic projects, providing senior expertise, fresh perspectives and compelling solutions that go beyond day-to-day planning requirements.
• Identify opportunities to broaden client engagement with Talon's full suite of capabilities, working closely with specialist teams including Effectiveness, Grand Visual and Programmatic to develop integrated, value-driven propositions.

Strategic Planning Excellence & Team Development

• Champion excellence in strategic planning across Talon, establishing clear expectations for insight-led thinking, strategic rigour and the quality of client recommendations.
• Act as a senior strategic sounding board for Planning teams, helping elevate approaches to briefs, challenge conventional thinking and ensure recommendations are rooted in client objectives and measurable outcomes.
• Work with the wider leadership team to identify knowledge and capability gaps, developing training, resources and initiatives that strengthen strategic thinking and planning expertise across the business.
• Build understanding of the wider media landscape, cross-channel dynamics and emerging industry developments, ensuring teams are equipped to provide informed, forward-thinking advice to clients.
• Foster a culture of curiosity, innovation and knowledge-sharing, ensuring successful strategic approaches and learnings are shared and applied across teams.
• Maintain a holistic view of client, category and industry trends, proactively identifying emerging challenges and opportunities that could influence client investment and strategic direction.
• Anticipate the impact of wider market developments, including evolving consumer behaviours, legislation, economic conditions and the changing media landscape, translating these into proactive strategic responses.
• Identify common challenges and opportunities across clients, agencies and categories, developing scalable strategic initiatives, insights and solutions that can be leveraged across the business.
• Work collaboratively with specialist teams, media owners and industry partners to develop innovative approaches that challenge conventional thinking, demonstrate the evolving role of OOH and unlock new opportunities for clients.

Industry Leadership & External Engagement

• Play a leading role in strengthening Talon's external profile as a strategic thought leader and authority within the OOH and wider media industry.
• Collaborate with the Comms & Marketing team to shape and deliver thought leadership initiatives, industry commentary, PR opportunities and events that showcase Talon's strategic expertise.
• Actively represent Talon at relevant industry events, conferences, panels and client forums, building relationships and contributing informed perspectives on the future of OOH.
• Develop compelling, insight-led narratives and perspectives that help shape industry conversations, inspire clients and reinforce the value of OOH within the wider media mix.
• Lead and develop the Client Strategy function, setting a clear vision, priorities and direction for
• the team while supporting professional development and high performance.
• Work collaboratively with Heads of Client, Business Directors and the wider Extended Leadership Team to ensure strategic priorities are aligned with client needs and Talon's wider commercial objectives.
• Support new business opportunities and pitches, providing senior strategic direction and developing compelling propositions that demonstrate Talon's expertise and differentiated offering.
• Champion Talon's values and contribute to a collaborative, ambitious and high-performing culture across the business.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR_

• Outstanding communication, presentation and storytelling skills, with the confidence and credibility to engage senior stakeholders, lead strategic conversations and represent the business externally.
• Naturally curious, proactive and forward-thinking, with a passion for innovation, challenging established approaches and anticipating the evolving needs of clients and the wider industry.
• An inspiring and collaborative leadership style, with experience of developing talent, elevating strategic capabilities and influencing teams across different departments.
• Exceptional strategic and analytical thinking, with the ability to translate market intelligence and business challenges into compelling, actionable recommendations.
• Deep understanding of the OOH industry and wider media landscape, including emerging technologies, measurement approaches and cross-channel planning considerations.

AS WELL AS_

• Extensive experience in a senior strategic planning or client strategy role within the OOH/agency landscape, with a proven track record of developing impactful strategies that drive client and commercial growth.
• Strong commercial acumen, with demonstrable experience of identifying growth opportunities, developing innovative propositions and influencing senior client decision-making.
• Highly organised and solutions-oriented, with the ability to balance longer-term strategic priorities with hands‑on involvement in high-value client projects and business opportunities.

WHY US_

“The best thing about working at Talon is the space, time and expertise I’ve been given over the years to grow and develop my skills.” Client Director at Talon

OUR VALUES AND HOW WE WORK TOGETHER_

WE ARE BOLD_

As industry provocateurs and pioneers, we respectfully challenge the status quo, take pride in our people, big ideas and partnerships.

• We challenge respectfully
• We lead the way

WE ARE HUMAN_

We are a diverse collective of changemakers who value respect, fairness, and integrity and expect the same in return.

• We value collaboration and togetherness
• We are empathetic

WE ARE SMART_

Our trailblazing spirit and learning centric culture ensures our knowledge provides maximum value to each other and our clients.

• We grow and learn
• We are trusted
• We are mission possible

Talon is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all individuals can thrive. We seek to employ and develop a workforce representative of the markets that we serve and brands that we represent.