Strategy Director

Direct Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Direct Recruitment in London is seeking a Strategy Director / Planning Lead to guide brand, campaign, shopper, social and activation strategy. You will turn complex problems into briefs that excite creative teams and run workshops, acting as a trusted partner to senior clients.

You’ll help shape how the agency’s planning offers evolve with an AI-enabled approach, balancing judgement with fast data-driven insights. The role demands leadership, client management and a keen commercial mindset.

Qualifications

• Around 10+ years in strategy/planning with relevant achievements.
• Senior Strategy Director or ready for more ownership as Associate Strategy Director.
• Experience in integrated/activation agencies beyond traditional advertising.
• Turns complexity into a compelling story.
• Confident running workshops and engaging senior clients.
• Commercially minded and contributes to pitches.
• Uses AI in planning and curious about AI-enhanced strategy.

Responsibilities

• Lead brand, campaign, shopper, social and activation strategy.
• Turn complex problems into briefs that excite creative teams.
• Run workshops and advise senior clients.
• Shape the agency's planning offer and contribute to pitches and new business.

Skills

Strategy leadership

Workshop facilitation

Client leadership

AI in strategy

Job description

Strategy Director / Planning Lead | London | £90-100k

An independent creative agency is looking for a senior strategist to lead planning across its client roster, working with some well-known consumer brands.

THE ROLE

This is a hands‑on position for someone who wants to be close to the work. You’ll lead brand, campaign, shopper, social and activation strategy, turn complex problems into briefs that get creative teams excited, run workshops, and act as a trusted partner to senior clients. You’ll also have a real voice in new business and in shaping how the agency’s planning offer develops.

The agency is building a leaner, AI‑enabled approach to planning. Instead of managing a large team, you’ll use AI tools to speed up research, insight mining and first drafts, so your time goes on judgement, creative development and client counsel. If you want to help define what great planning looks like in an AI‑enabled agency, this is your chance.

ABOUT YOU

• Around 10+ years in strategy/planning, though what you’ve done matters more than the number of years
• A Strategy Director now, or an Associate Strategy Director ready for more ownership
• Experience in integrated, creative or activation agencies, ideally beyond traditional advertising (shopper, customer, social, experiential, digital)
• A sharp strategic thinker who can turn complexity into a compelling story
• Confident running workshops and working directly with senior clients
• Commercially minded, and keen to contribute to pitches and new business
• Already using AI in your work and curious about how it can make strategy better, not just faster