Head of Strategy & Partnerships

STARCOM MEDIA WORLDWIDE; Dublin; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

STARCOM Media Worldwide in Ireland is seeking a Head of Strategy & Partnerships to set the strategic direction and elevate brand planning and media strategy across luxury and premium brands in APAC. You will lead senior client counsel, shape partnerships and steer the agency’s strategic frameworks to deliver distinctive, culturally aware campaigns.

Working with regional and local teams, you will translate consumer insights into a clear strategic direction, identify opportunities with media

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in media strategy or brand planning across APAC markets.
• Strong understanding of consumer behaviour and evolving media landscape.
• Genuine curiosity for culture, luxury, fashion and consumer tastes.
• Ability to translate complex business challenges into simple, compelling media strategies.
• Experience advising senior clients and building trusted executive relationships.
• Ability to lead across a matrix organisation and mentor strategic talent.
• Excellent presentation and storytelling skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead brand planning and media strategy across luxury and premium brands across APAC, turning business challenges into actionable communications strategies.
• Advise senior clients with informed perspectives on consumers, culture, media and luxury landscape.
• Set APAC strategic standards and steward planning frameworks, tools and capabilities.
• Champion data, technology and the agency's capabilities to drive sharper thinking and more effective media strategies.
• Identify emerging cultural shifts in media, fashion and luxury that create opportunities for clients.
• Develop strategic partnerships with media owners, publishers and cultural partners.
• Connect regional strategy with local market expertise while preserving consistency across APAC.
• Collaborate with leadership, activation, analytics and specialist teams to turn strategy into integrated media solutions.
• Lead client workshops, annual planning, and senior presentations with a clear strategic narrative.
• Contribute to the evolution of the agency's strategic product and reputation.
• Develop and mentor strategic talent across the region.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Client advisory

Partnership development

Brand strategy

Data-driven planning

Cross-market coordination

Job description

The Head of Strategy & Partnerships is responsible for setting the strategic direction and raising the standard of brand planning and media strategy across a portfolio of luxury and premium brands in APAC.

The role combines strategic leadership, senior client counsel and partnership development, helping brands navigate changing consumer behaviours, culture and an evolving media landscape. With a deep curiosity for luxury, fashion, culture and creativity, the Head of Strategy & Partnerships will identify opportunities for brands to connect with consumers in ways that are distinctive, relevant and true to their identity.

As the senior strategic lead, the role will be the custodian of the strategic planning process across the region, ensuring our teams make the best use of our strategic frameworks, cutting-edge tools and capabilities to develop effective media strategies that contribute to creating desirable brands.

Working closely with client leadership, regional and local teams, the role will turn consumer, cultural and market understanding into clear strategic direction and compelling media ideas. The role will also develop relationships with selected media, cultural, fashion, luxury and content partners, identifying opportunities where there is a strong fit between brand, audience and context.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead brand planning and media strategy across a portfolio of luxury and premium brands, translating business and brand challenges into clear, actionable communications strategies.
• Act as a senior strategic advisor to clients, bringing an informed point of view on consumers, culture, media and the forces shaping the luxury landscape.
• Lead strategic capability across APAC, setting standards for planning excellence and acting as custodian of the agency's strategic planning process, frameworks and tools.
• Champion the best use of data, technology and the agency's strategic capabilities to unlock sharper thinking, new opportunities and more effective media strategies.
• Identify emerging behaviours, cultural shifts and developments in media, fashion and luxury that can create meaningful opportunities for our clients.
• Develop strategic partnerships with relevant media owners, publishers, platforms and cultural partners, with a strong focus on brand fit and opportunities to build brand desirability.
• Connect regional strategy with local market expertise, ensuring strategic consistency while recognising the cultural and media nuances that matter across APAC.
• Collaborate with client leadership, activation, analytics and specialist teams to turn strategy into integrated, effective and creatively ambitious media solutions.
• Lead key client workshops, annual planning processes and senior presentations, bringing clarity and a compelling strategic narrative to complex challenges.
• Champion thought leadership and contribute to the continued evolution of the agency's strategic product and reputation.
• Develop and mentor strategic talent across the region, fostering a culture of curiosity, collaboration, rigour and continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in media strategy, communications planning, brand planning or related disciplines, ideally with experience working across multiple APAC markets.
• Strong understanding of consumer behaviour, brand strategy, communications planning and the changing media landscape.
• A genuine curiosity for culture, luxury, fashion and the wider forces shaping consumer tastes and behaviours.
• Proven ability to translate complex business and brand challenges into simple, compelling media and communications strategies.
• Experience advising senior clients and building trusted relationships with executive-level stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of the media and partnership landscape, with an ability to identify opportunities based on strategic and brand fit rather than reach alone.
• Excellent presentation, communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to make strategic thinking engaging and persuasive.
• Ability to influence and lead across regional and local teams within a complex matrix organisation.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and a track record of developing strong strategic talent.