Applied Strategist Level II

Citizen Relations; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Citizen Relations in New York seeks an Applied Strategist (Level II) to bridge business ambitions with brand and measurement strategy. You will support projects hands-on and lead critical areas while partnering with PR, Creative, and Experiential teams.

You will deliver cultural intelligence, SEO/AEO/GEO programs, and multi-channel content, building applied creative strategies for major global brands. A background in data analytics and client-facing delivery is essential.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years in strategic planning, digital strategy, or strategy consultancy.
• Proven ability to use data analytics to drive strategic outcomes.
• Experience presenting strategy to clients and leading stakeholder sessions.
• Experience coordinating with cross-functional teams to deliver complex projects on schedule.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Problem Defining: conduct independent research to pinpoint challenges and deliver data-backed recommendations.
• Campaign & Systems Strategy: support planning and development of channel or integrated campaigns.
• Data Analytics & Insights: analyze data to shape insights and growth opportunities across channels.
• AI Integration & Quality Assurance: leverage AI tools and ensure deliverable quality and responsible AI use.
• Integrated Orchestration: connect programs, tactics, and experts and manage stakeholder needs.
• Client & Stakeholder Communication: engage internal and client stakeholders and contribute to presentations.
• Operational Excellence & Agility: ensure timelines, adapt to inputs, and pivot when needed.
• Tool & Process Innovation: evaluate and test new digital tools and workflows.

Skills

Data analytics

Stakeholder leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

AI tooling

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 ambiguous 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 forefront 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.

We are seeking an Applied Strategist (Level II). This role is akin to more traditional roles such as Senior Coordinator/Manager. This evolved breed of strategy is a Consultant-Doer that supports clients bridge the gap between high-level business ambitions, and brand, channel and measurement strategy. This role is designed for those who can think critically about the lifecycle of MarComm efforts, and orchestrate plans that result in real-world business impact.

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, data-backed recommendations
• 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.

We thank all applicants. However, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

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.