Senior Strategist

AKQA Inc; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative firm seeks a Senior Strategist to drive strategic output for clients in Saudi Arabia. This role requires a blend of creativity and analytical skills to develop insights and strategic responses that resonate locally and globally. You'll collaborate with a talented team, managing exciting projects while influencing the future of brand strategies. With opportunities for personal and professional growth, this position is perfect for those passionate about shaping the future of brand experiences in a culturally rich environment.

Benefits

Professional Development Opportunities

Creative Work Environment

Access to Cutting-Edge Technology

Collaborative Team Culture

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in strategic planning within digital or integrated agency environments.
• Fluent in English; fluency in Arabic is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop insights from research and manage performance evaluation programs.
• Lead strategic thought on pitches and manage internal resources.

Skills

Strategic Planning

Communication Skills

Consumer Insights

Creative Problem Solving

Cultural Awareness

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree (preferred)

Tools

Research Methodologies

Presentation Software

Job description

Senior Strategist

At AKQA, we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create a better future. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive ideas, services, and experiences that capture the imagination, delivering impressive returns for our clients.

Strategists at AKQA are the ultimate voice of customer culture for our clients. They are provocative thinkers and innovative problem solvers. We partner in creating a better future, faster; for our clients across the entire brand experience.

As a Senior Strategist in Saudi Arabia, you will be responsible for the strategic output for a portfolio of clients; positioning the value of Strategic Planning internally and to clients; and managing internal resources and strategic deliverables. You will lead strategic thought on pitches, anticipate, research, and identify client opportunities, provide future thinking and a provocative POV, and manage exciting and challenging projects. Your insights will play a role in shaping the future.

Your responsibilities include developing insights from research, managing associate research and performance evaluation programs, and developing strategic responses and thought leadership for clients. Your role will be crucial in generating local insights and strategies that resonate within the Kingdom and globally.

You will work closely with a talented, meritocratic team based locally and across the MENA region. There will be opportunities for learning and growth within a creative and technologically advanced environment, with access to ongoing personal and professional development. At AKQA, we are committed to your growth and wellbeing.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

1. Keep abreast of cultural, creative, and technological news relevant to clients and useful for the account team.
2. Utilize experience to develop macro perspectives on consumer and brand issues, leading to 'thought pieces' for internal and external use.
3. Own the strategic debate on your brands and be recognized as a key driver of this both internally and externally. Proactively provoke debate and identify future discussion topics.
4. Understand and discuss business matters (organizational, strategic, financial) with senior clients.
5. Lead debates with clients on the effectiveness of new channels and evaluate them. Create case studies and Effectiveness Award submissions.
6. Have a point of view on the future of research, evaluation, and effectiveness. Innovate with new research projects, methodologies, and products.
7. Manage multi-market strategy deployment, demonstrating sensitivity to local culture and dynamics.
8. Lead planning in brief-writing and development, recognized by clients and creatives.
9. Provide sensitive feedback, motivate the creative team, and keep them excited about opportunities.
10. Develop relationships with senior clients and be the primary contact for planning issues.
11. Take responsibility for planning in pitches and represent the agency in creds meetings.
12. Ensure high standards in work quality and engaging client presentations.
13. Develop a strategic framework including hypotheses, work streams, and milestones.
14. Work with the Head of Strategy for approval and escalation as needed.
15. Fluent in English; fluency in Arabic is a plus.
16. Previous experience in Saudi Arabia and/or the MENA region is advantageous.

QUALITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

1. Extensive experience in strategic planning within digital or integrated agency environments.
2. Experience in building robust integrated communication plans.
3. Knowledge across multiple sectors and channels.
4. A compelling storyteller with a focus on current and future trends.
5. Excellent communication skills, influencing and inspiring others.
6. Willing to use experience to develop team skills.
7. Experience in developing cutting-edge brand experience platforms.
8. Deep understanding of data, trends, insights, and their application to improve client results.
9. Ability to identify strong ideas and judge their quality.