Strategy Intern

ZURU; Auckland; On-site; NZD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

ZURU is seeking curious, sharp and creative Strategy Interns to join the Strategy team in Auckland. You will support across brand strategy for new and existing brands, and fast-turnaround work for ZURU Labs, gaining hands-on experience in a fast-paced, global environment.

You will help with research, analysis and ideation behind brand platforms, names and creative territories, collaborating with teams and presenting clear, visual outputs.

Qualifications

• Pursuing or recently graduated in marketing, communications, business, design.
• Strong interest in brands, culture and consumer behaviour.
• Excellent written communication.
• Ability to create clear, structured presentations.
• Able to work independently and in teams.
• Detail-oriented with timely delivery.

Responsibilities

• Assist strategy team with category and competitive research.
• Create clear summaries and insights from research.
• Brainstorm names, positioning and creative territories.
• Support naming with options and tone checks.
• Build decks communicating research and recommendations clearly.
• Collaborate with design, marketing, and copy teams.
• Organize and maintain research decks and libraries.
• Manage multiple tasks and deadlines.

Skills

Curiosity about brands

Strong research skills

Clear written communication

Presentation skills

Creativity

Team collaboration

Self-management

Attention to detail

Interest in consumer categories

Education

Tertiary programme in marketing/communications/business/design

Tools

PowerPoint/Keynote/Slides

Figma

Job description

We are seeking curious, sharp and creative Strategy Interns to join the Strategy team at ZURU. There are opportunities across brand strategy for new and existing brands, as well as fast-turnaround work for ZURU Labs, depending on the strengths and interests of each candidate. This internship is an excellent opportunity to gain hands‑on experience in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment, working on global brands. As a Strategy Intern, you will support the strategy team with the research, analysis and ideation that sit behind our brand platforms, names and creative territories.

Who We Are

ZURU is a reimagination company. We look for categories that have stood still, then we build next-generation products and brands that set the new standard. ZURU Toys is reimagining play. ZURU Edge is reinventing everyday consumer brands. Rhodes Pet Science is reimagining pet science. ZURU Tech is leading the next building revolution.

ZURU started in 2003 with two brothers from New Zealand, and we're still founder-owned and operated today. Since then we've become the world's second-biggest privately held toy company, and nearly half of all Gen Y and Gen Z households with kids in the US own a ZURU product. Today we're 5,000 people in 34 offices, selling into more than 150 markets, backed by over 100 acres of fully automated manufacturing. And we're only getting started.

What you'll bring

• Current enrolment in, or recent graduation from, a tertiary programme in marketing, communications, business, design or similar
• A natural curiosity about brands, culture and consumer behaviour, and a keen eye for emerging trends
• Strong research skills, including the ability to find, sift and make sense of information from a range of sources
• Clear, sharp written communication
• Confidence building well-structured, visually clean presentations (PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides or Figma)
• Creativity and the ability to generate ideas, whether names, angles or ways of framing a problem
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, and to follow instructions
• Detail-oriented and committed to delivering high-quality work
• Great attention to detail, file management and timeliness with tasks; ability to self-manage with strong problem-solving skills
• Interest in consumer categories such as toys, beauty, pet, haircare, fragrance and lifestyle is an added advantage

Roles & responsibilities

• Research & Insight: Assist the strategy team with category and competitive research across a range of projects, including:
• Competitive brand audits (naming, positioning, tone of voice and visual territory)
• Cultural and consumer trend tracking across social platforms, retail and marketplaces
• Retail and shelf checks to understand how categories are presented
• Other tasks management may deem appropriate from time to time
• Synthesis: Turn raw research into clear summaries and key takeaways the team can act on
• Ideation: Work closely with team members to brainstorm and develop ideas for names, positioning and creative territories
• Naming Support: Generate name options, apply first-pass filters for tone, distinctiveness and clearance risk, and help build shortlists
• Presentation Building: Take direction from strategy leads to build and format decks that communicate research and recommendations clearly. Maintain an eye for detail and high quality across all outputs
• Collaboration: Collaborate with creative & design, marketing, and copy & communications teams to understand project requirements and support delivery that aligns with brand objectives
• File & Knowledge Management: Organise and maintain research, decks and reference libraries so they're easy for the team to find and reuse
• Feedback Incorporation: Be open to feedback and make revisions as required to improve the quality of the work
• Time Management: Manage multiple tasks and deadlines effectively. Understand briefs and turn them around efficiently, including quick-turn requests where timelines are tight
• Research and Trends: Stay up to date with cultural, category and industry trends, and apply that knowledge to project work

Please note applications for this internship close on November 30th. Applicants moving to the next stage will be contacted after this date.

Who thrives at ZURU

This isn't a 9-to-5. We move fast, think big and set goals most companies would call impossible, then go after them. The people who thrive here are entrepreneurs at heart. They own their work, chase bold ideas and never stop raising the bar.

At ZURU, you drive your career, and we give you the platform to take it as far as you can. There are opportunities here that you won’t find anywhere else, and you'll be surrounded by talented people who make things happen. We're a true meritocracy: we reward impact, not tenure.

How we work

Big ideas happen when great people work side by side, so we're office-first by design. Being together means faster collaboration, sharper decisions and stronger teams, and it's where the real learning happens. Some flexibility may be available depending on the role, location and business needs, but most roles are office-based.

Want to see what life at ZURU really looks like? Follow LIFE@ZURU on Instagram or www.zuru.com

ZURU – Reimagining tomorrow

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ZURU may use AI tools to help screen, assess or select applicants.