Lead Strategist

Valtech; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading experience innovation company seeks a Lead Strategist in Edinburgh to drive strategic projects, engage with clients, and mentor teams. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in strategy development and a strong grasp of innovation and transformation in enterprise environments. This role offers competitive benefits, including hybrid work options and career growth opportunities within an inclusive culture. Join us to shape the future of experience.

Benefits

Flexible remote and hybrid work options

Career advancement opportunities

Access to training and industry experts

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in strategy, innovation, and transformation.
• Strong understanding of delivering change in enterprise environments.
• Ability to lead communication with C-level stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic project work and ensure commercial focus.
• Build relationships with senior clients and deliver value.
• Pitch and win work for Valtech across target verticals.

Skills

Strategy development

Innovation

Client engagement

Coaching and mentoring

Job description

Why Valtech? We’re the experience innovation company - a trusted partner to the world’s most recognized brands. To our people we offer growth opportunities, a values‑driven culture, international careers and the chance to shape the future of experience.

The opportunity

At Valtech, you’ll find an environment designed for continuous learning, meaningful impact, and professional growth. Whether you're pioneering new digital solutions, challenging conventional thinking or building the next generation of customer experiences, your work will help transform industries.

As a Lead Strategist, you are passionate about experience innovation and eager to push the boundaries of what’s possible. We are looking for the strategic leader to support our ambitious trajectory and keep proving that Valtech makes experience innovation happen. As a member of the strategy practice, you will always have a varied role, between pre‑sales & projector programme leadership, and stakeholder engagement and management. Over your first six months with Valtech, you are likely to have an opportunity to participate in all the below:

Role responsibilities

Lead strategic project work

• Work in a tight, cross‑functional team with our clients to explore, validate and uncover a path to delivery for key strategic projects. This may be a new product or service, or organisational transformation, or data & AI exploration.
• Ensure that commercial focus is maintained and we can demonstrate the potential of our proposals and the impact of our work.

Support senior client and Valtech delivery teams

• Build confidence through delivering value with senior clients, this might be through targeted coaching or network building
• Build strong relationships with key client stakeholders, spend time on site and networking.
• Coach, mentor and manage team members from different disciplines and people across Valtech
• Help junior team members with digital transformational/client challenges

Help Valtech win more work

• Pitch and win work for Valtech across our target and growth vertical, leveraging your extensive experience and deep understanding of client needs
• Work with our Client Partners, Portfolio Leads, and Portfolio Strategists to deeply understand client needs and grow our presence in existing client organisations

Help Valtech build its presence and credentials across Strategy, Innovation & Transformation with new content and ideas

• Develop points of view, marketing content and activities to drive awareness of what we do and how we do it
• Collaborate with the brightest cross‑functional teams to deeply understand the latest technologies and their potential applications
• Represent Valtech externally at events and conferences

Must have qualifications

• You have a wealth of experience and understanding of strategy, innovation and transformation and the nuances of delivering change in enterprise environments, either in‑house or consultancy context
• Experience in the development and delivery of new business pitches and proposals
• You’re an innovative and strategic thinker who pushes the boundaries and loves thinking about commercially viable solutions for organisations to embrace digital solutions for growth and efficiency
• You can lead out on and effectively communicate a product, service or transformation strategy to C‑level stakeholders and are able to demonstrate strong understanding of ROI and business benefits of digital change
• You’re able to think in both business and behavioural models, researching and analysing organisations to develop insight into customer behaviour
• Somebody who possess a deep knowledge of how products and services get built, launch and grow – from discovery through to delivery and live
• You’re able to employ a varied toolkit of frameworks and techniques from across disparate areas of consulting, design, technology and tangential fields
• You truly understand what makes an excellent customer experience and how that translates into commercial success for businesses
• You’re comfortable with ambiguity and applying those tools to the organisations you work within – not just clients
• We believe that our best work happens in person, with our clients, our teams and when we get together as an organisation. Therefore, you’ll be expected to be on site with our clients when needed and be able to commute to one of key office locations: London | Manchester | Edinburgh

If you do not meet all the listed qualifications or have gaps in your experience, we still encourage you to apply. At Valtech, we recognize that talent comes in many forms, and we value diverse perspectives and a willingness to learn.

Commitment to reaching all kinds of people

We design experiences that work for all kinds of people - and that starts with our own teams. At Valtech, we’re intentional about building an inclusive culture where everyone feels supported to grow, thrive and achieve their goals. No matter your background, you belong here. Explore our Diversity & Inclusion site to see how we’re creating a more equitable Valtech for all.

The benefits

This is a permanent position based in Edinburgh.

Beyond a competitive compensation package, we offer:

• Flexibility, with remote and hybrid work options (country‑dependent)
• Career advancement, with international mobility and professional development programs
• Learning and development, with access to cutting‑edge tools, training and industry experts

Our benefits are tailored to each location. Your Talent Partner will provide full details during the hiring process.

Your application process

Once you apply, our Talent Acquisition team will review your application. Your CV should cover key information on relevant experiences and expertise. We do not require information such as age, gender, marital status, or a headshot in your application. We review all candidates based on skills, experience, and potential.

⚠️ Beware of recruitment fraud!

We are committed to inclusion and accessibility. If you need reasonable accommodations during the interview process, please either indicate it in your application or let your Talent Partner know.

About Valtech

Valtech is the experience innovation company that exists to unlock a better way to experience the world. By blending crafts, categories, and cultures, we help brands unlock new value in an increasingly digital world.

At the intersection of data, AI, creativity, and technology, we drive transformation for leading organizations, including L’Oréal, Mars, Audi, P&G, Volkswagen Dolby, and more.

At Valtech, we don’t just talk about transformation. We make it happen. Our people are the heart of our success, and we foster a workplace where everyone has the support to thrive, grow and innovate.

Are you ready to create what’s next? Join us.