Freelance Strategist

South China Morning Post; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 700,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

South China Morning Post’s Morning Studio seeks a visionary Strategist fluent in English and Chinese to translate client objectives into transformative, content-led solutions in Hong Kong.

With HK market fluency, you’ll lead multi-platform branded content proposals, architect end-to-end strategy across formats, mentor junior strategists, and collaborate with Sales, Editorial and Production for flawless execution.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in content strategy or senior client-facing roles in media or agencies.
• Fluent in English and Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese).
• Strong understanding of Hong Kong cultural nuances and media landscape.
• Proven track record of closing branded content deals.
• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business or Journalism.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic client and new business initiatives with commercially viable proposals.
• Architect end-to-end content strategy across formats and channels.
• Provide executive insights and market analysis to leadership.
• Mentor junior strategists and coordinate with Sales, Editorial and Production.
• Represent Morning Studio in external meetings and industry forums.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Client leadership

Content strategy

Cross-functional collaboration

English & Chinese fluency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing/Communications/Business/Journalism

Tools

Analytics platforms

Job description

About Morning Studio

Morning Studio is the award-winning branded content team of the South China Morning Post, delivering compelling, innovative content solutions that connect brands with audiences in impactful ways.

Purpose of the Position

We are seeking a visionary, and culturally fluent Strategist to support the growth of Morning Studio and shape world-class branded content campaigns. This role requires a combination of strategic foresight, exceptional storytelling acumen, and a deep commercial understanding of Hong Kong's complex media and cultural ecosystem. You will be the primary strategic driver, turning client business objectives into transformative content-led solutions.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Client & New Business Leadership

• Lead the development of sophisticated, multi-platform branded content proposals, ensuring they are commercially viable, strategically sound, and aligned with SCMP's premium offerings.
• Serve as a trusted strategic consultant to clients and internal sales teams, translating complex client challenges into clear, innovative, and measurable content solutions.
• Anticipate market trends, competitive shifts, and audience behavior to proactively position Morning Studio for growth and innovation.

2. Advanced Content Strategy & Design

• Architect and oversee the end-to-end conceptualisation and execution framework for compelling branded content campaigns, ensuring alignment between client KPIs, audience insights, and editorial integrity.
• Develop integrated content roadmaps that span multiple formats (video, native, social, experiential) and distribution channels
• Lead strategic ideation that resonates with the nuanced cultural landscape of Hong Kong and the Greater China region.
• Define campaign measurement frameworks, leveraging advanced analytics to generate strategic insights, demonstrate tangible ROI, and inform future high-value client engagements.

3. Cultural and Market Expertise

• Leveraging an unparalleled understanding of Hong Kong’s local trends, shifting values, and complex consumer behaviors to ensure campaigns achieve maximum resonance and impact.
• Provide executive-level insights and competitive analysis to the broader leadership team, identifying strategic gaps and pioneering new content formats for the market.

4. Team Mentorship and Cross-functional Leadership

• Mentor and develop junior strategists and team members, fostering a culture of strategic thinking, commercial accountability, and creative excellence.
• Serve as the strategic liaison between clients, Sales, Editorial, and production teams, ensuring seamless communication and flawless execution of complex, large-scale campaigns.
• Represent Morning Studio in high-stakes external meetings, industry events, and thought leadership forums.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Marketing, Communications, Business, or Journalism).
• 5+ years of progressive experience in content strategy, business development, or a senior client-facing role within media, publishing, or a creative agency.
• Professional fluency in English and Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese) is mandatory, with exceptional verbal, presentation, and written communication skills in both languages.
• Demonstrated deep understanding and strategic command of Hong Kong’s cultural nuances, media consumption behaviors, and consumer landscape.
• Proven track record of developing and closing significant branded content deals and delivering creative strategies that drive measurable, business-critical results.
• Exceptional strategic multitasking, organisational, and leadership skills, with a confirmed ability to excel under pressure.

Work location will be at Causeway Bay office.

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