Applied Strategist Level II

Citizen Relations; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Citizen Relations in Cincinnati seeks an Applied Strategist (Level II) to work with the strategic lead across PR, creative, and experiential domains. You will deliver cultural intelligence, oversee multi-channel programs, and craft integrated communications plans for major global brands.

The role emphasizes data analytics, AI integration in workflows, and collaboration with internal teams to drive strategic outcomes.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in strategic planning, digital strategy, or strategy consultancy, managing deliverables at the project and program level.
• Proven proficiency in using data analytics to drive strategic outcomes and using emerging tools for workflow optimization.
• Demonstrated track record of leading stakeholder discovery sessions and presenting strategy to clients.
• Experience partnering with cross-functional project teams to deliver complex projects on schedule with quality control.
• Clear understanding of market dynamics, media channels, and business levers that impact commercial strategy.

Responsibilities

• Define and frame strategic problems with clients, translating into briefs and actionable insights.
• Support the planning and development of channel or integrated campaign strategies.
• Analyze data relationships to shape insights, optimize performance, and identify growth opportunities.
• Lead the integration of AI in daily workflows while upholding responsible AI practices.
• Coordinate cross-functional orchestration across programs, and manage stakeholder communications with clients.

Skills

Strategic planning

Data analytics

Stakeholder leadership

Project management

Commercial acumen

Tools

Google AI Suite

Job description

Company Description

Citizen is a global PR agency built to unleash the potential of ambitious brands. Integrated teams across PR, creative & strategy, insights & intelligence, digital, and experiential marketing give the curiosity, confidence, and courage to stay ahead of trends, make bold moves, and maximize measurable success.

Company Description

Citizen is a global PR agency built to unleash the potential of ambitious brands. Integrated teams across PR, creative & strategy, insights & intelligence, digital, and experiential marketing give the curiosity, confidence, and courage to stay ahead of trends, make bold moves, and maximize measurable success. With 10 offices across North America and Europe, Citizen’s client roster includes P&G, Dole Packaged Foods, Duracell, Simon Malls, and Valvoline. The agency's disruptive campaigns have been awarded across the world from such shows as The Clios, Webbys, The One Show, LIAs, PRWeek Global and the Cannes International Festival of Creativity. Since 2022 Citizen has been named a PR Agency of the Year by Strategy Magazine. In 2024 the agency made the ‘Best in Business’ list from Inc. Magazine and was a Campaign Global PR Agency of the Year. In 2025, Citizen was named to PRNews’ Elite Top 120 Agencies List. This isn't just a job; it's an opportunity to grow, connect, and belong in a vibrant environment. Beyond global opportunities, personal time, and unforgettable team-bonding, we prioritize professional development, committed to unleashing the potential for our talent across all offices. If you lead with curiosity and are eager to make a lasting impact for the world's biggest brands, you can find out more about us here: https://www.citizenrelations.com/about

The Citizen Relations Applied Strategy & Intelligence team is at the front­of‑line of AI transformation. We are a driving force in moving beyond the traditional boundaries of PR and earned media into the broader, more impactful territory of Reputation. To lead this change, our group has evolved beyond the traditional matrixed agency approach in favor of a high‑functioning Pod Model. This is a concentrated, skills‑first structure of multi‑specialist experts where intelligence, technology, and strategy converge.

Applied Strategist (Level II)

The Role: Strategic Implementation & Counsel

As an Applied Strategist (Level II), you will work closely with the strategic lead overseeing your portfolio. You will provide hands‑on support, and lead in critical areas of projects while partnering cross‑functionally with our PR, Creative, and Experiential departments.

Our work ranges from delivering cultural intelligence and insights, running fulsome whole search (SEO/AEO/GEO) programs, building multi‑channel content and narrative ecosystems, delivering integrated communications plans and building applied creative strategies and ideas for major global brands.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Strategic Problem Defining: Conduct independent research to pinpoint business and/or marcomm challenges, articulate needs clearly in briefs, and deliver actionable,
• Campaign & Systems Strategy: Support planning and development of channel or integrated campaign strategies.
• Data Analytics & Insights: Analyze relationships between data points to shape strategic insights, optimize performance, and define growth opportunities. Data sets include, but are not limited to, channel, user‑intent, news media, audience, and sales.
• AI Integration & Quality Assurance: Leverage AI suites in daily workflows, uphold responsible AI best practices, develop unique ways of working and perform quality assurance to maintain deliverable standards.
• Integrated Orchestration: Connecting dots between different programs, tactics, and experts across the organization identifying when to bring in additional counsel or support, as well as manage up support needs.
• Client & Stakeholder Communication: Regularly engage internal and client stakeholders in meetings and take an active role in client presentations.
• Operational Excellence & Agility: Partner with project management to ensure timeline accuracy, adapt to changing project inputs, and proactively identify next steps and strategic pivots.
• Tool & Process Innovation: Continuously evaluate, adopt, and test new digital tools, channels, and workflows to improve efficiency and output quality.

Experience & Qualifications

• Professional Experience: 3–5 years of experience in strategic planning, digital strategy, or strategy consultancy, managing deliverables at the project and program level.
• Data & Digital Aptitude: Proven proficiency in using data analytics to drive strategic outcomes, alongside hands‑on experience using emerging tools (e.g., Google AI Suite) for workflow optimization and context engineering.
• Stakeholder & Client Leadership: Demonstrated track record of leading stakeholder discovery sessions and presenting strategy directly to clients.
• Execution & Project Management: Experience partnering with cross‑functional project teams to deliver complex projects on schedule while maintaining strict quality control.
• Commercial Acumen: Clear understanding of market dynamics, media channels, and business levers that impact commercial strategy.

Transparency matters to us. For this role, you can expect a salary between $60,000 - $70,000 annually depending on experience. Joining Citizen Relations, you are part of the Plus Company. This network of entrepreneurial agencies is designed to collaborate, not compete. It empowers every agency – and every individual – to bring their own unique capabilities together to make magic happen. You will be empowered to take risks, dream big, develop your skills and grow in your career with the full support of the network and all it has to offer.

Citizen Relations is an equal opportunity employer. It prohibits discrimination based on age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and any other legally protected class in accordance with applicable federal, provincial and local laws. Citizen Relations is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible workplace. If you are contacted for an interview and require accommodation during the interviewing process, please let us know.