Applied Strategist Level II , Citizen Relations

pluscompany; New York, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Citizen is seeking an Applied Strategist (Level II) to join its Applied Strategy & Intelligence group. You will translate high-level business goals into actionable marcomm strategies, partner with PR, creative and experiential teams, and help shape multi-channel plans for major brands.

You will leverage cultural insights, perform data-driven analyses, and ensure quality in all deliverables while driving measurable business impact for clients.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in strategic planning.

Responsibilities

• Define strategic problems and provide data-backed recommendations.
• Develop channel or integrated campaign strategies.
• Analyze data to derive strategic insights and growth opportunities.
• Leverage AI tools in daily workflows and ensure quality.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and client presentations.
• Improve processes and adopt new tools.

Skills

Strategic planning

Data analysis

Client communication

AI integration

Job description

Applied Strategist Level II

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 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