Creative Strategist

Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare plans

401(k) with matching

Bonuses

PTO

Flexible schedule

Work from Anywhere

Job summary

Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis in New York seeks a Creative Strategist who bridges rigorous research and breakthrough storytelling. You will move beyond trend spotting to design, synthesize, and translate insights into strategic platforms and creative briefs, partnering with account leads, media strategists, and creative teams.

The role combines research design, narrative development, and client advisory across PR and integrated campaigns.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years in strategic planning, brand strategy, or creative strategy within a PR, communications, or integrated advertising agency setting.
• Proven ability to design research methodologies, conduct audience interviews, and extract insights from social listening and desk research tools.
• Superior ability to connect disparate data points into a cohesive, persuasive narrative.
• Clear understanding of how earned media, influencer landscapes, social platforms, and owned channels work together to build brand reputation.
• Confident presenter with strong writing skills and experience leading workshops or strategic alignment sessions with clients.

Responsibilities

• Insight & Research Design: Conduct qualitative and quantitative research including audience segmentation, benchmarking, social listening, media audits, focus groups, and executive interviews to uncover cultural and market insights.
• Strategic Synthesis: Distill datasets, market dynamics, and client briefs into narrative-driven strategic platforms and actionable briefs.
• Creative Collaboration: Work with creative directors, social strategists, copywriters, and PR strategists to translate insights into big ideas and pitch concepts.
• Client Advisory & Pitching: Present research findings, strategic narratives, and campaign concepts to clients and lead strategic sections of pitches.
• Cultural & Industry Tracking: Stay ahead of consumer behavior and emerging media to keep client strategies fresh.

Skills

Strategic planning

Brand strategy

Creative strategy

Research methods

Storytelling

Earned media

Communication

Tools

Social listening tools

Desk research tools

Job description

Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis is a leading global communications agency built to navigate the complexities of a hyper-connected world. We represent the icons and innovators shaping culture—from global heritage corporations and high-growth tech startups to the non-profits, creative legends, and visionary founders who define the global discourse.

Our expertise spans the full cultural spectrum. We operate at the intersection of entertainment, social impact, corporate reputation, and consumer lifestyle, executing seamlessly across traditional media, social‑first outlets, brand partnerships, and influencer ecosystems. Whether we are navigating complex crisis management, elevating advocacy campaigns, or launching global consumer brands, we are storytellers at our core.

You may notice our digital presence is purposefully understated. While our clients are global household names, we believe the best work happens when the spotlight stays firmly on those we represent. We fly under the radar by design - preferring to let our campaigns, and our results, speak for themselves.

If you're driven, intentional, and ready to do good, we're ready for you!

We are looking for a Creative Strategist who bridges the gap between deep research and breakthrough storytelling. In this role, you will move beyond high-level trend spotting to conduct, synthesize, and translate rigorous research into clear strategic frameworks and creative briefs. You will partner with account leaders, media strategists, and creative teams to uncover human insights that anchor compelling PR and integrated communications campaigns.

Key Responsibilities

• Insight & Research Design: Conduct qualitative and quantitative research—including audience segmentation, competitive benchmarking, social listening, media audits, focus groups, and executive interviews to uncover non-obvious cultural and market insights.
• Strategic Synthesis: Distill complex datasets, market dynamics, and client briefs into clear, narrative‑driven strategic platforms, positioning frameworks, and actionable creative briefs.
• Creative Collaboration: Work alongside creative directors, social strategists, copywriters, and PR strategists to translate insights into big creative ideas and pitch concepts.
• Client Advisory & Pitching: Present research findings, strategic narratives, and campaign concepts to client stakeholders and lead strategic sections of new business pitches.
• Cultural & Industry Tracking: Stay ahead of consumer behavior, emerging media channels, platform algorithms, and cultural shifts to ensure client strategies remain fresh and relevant.

Qualifications

• Experience: 3–5+ years in strategic planning, brand strategy, or creative strategy within a PR, communications, or integrated advertising agency setting.
• Research Mastery: Proven track record of designing research methodologies, conducting audience interviews, and pulling insights from social listening and desk research tools.
• Storytelling & Synthesis: Superior ability to connect disparate data points into a cohesive, persuasive narrative.
• PR & Earned Media Acumen: Clear understanding of how earned media, influencer landscapes, social platforms, and owned channels work together to build brand reputation and cultural momentum.
• Communication Skills: Confident presenter with strong writing skills and experience facilitating workshops or strategic alignment sessions with clients.

$70,000 - $77,500 a year

Benefits x Perks

We go well beyond the benefits that you’re looking for like medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with matching, annual merit-based bonuses, PTO, fertility, FSA for medical, childcare, and commuter expenses. Eligible employees at Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis may access these benefits, along with many additional perks including, a flexible work schedule, Work from Anywhere program, Summer Fridays, Wellness Days, and a 4-week sabbatical or trip to celebrate select anniversaries. We love to socialize so, we have collaborative workspaces, some offices even have rooftops, celebrations, networking opportunities, and community volunteering. We frequently mark opportunities to listen, learn and act throughout the year (Juneteenth, Election Day, International Women’s Day, etc.).

SSM&L is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and ability. We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, identity and expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

There’s more!

From day one, employees are carefully matched with a mentor to guide them on their path to success. Training and mentoring are a big deal here and since we are into promoting from within, we make sure to provide more than enough tools for you to learn and grow. We are proud to offer training throughout the year on topics for professional growth as well as personal growth. We have also developed a series of teaching workshops that are structured for each level of the company. Sunshiners also take love to take advantage of the monthly Meet the Industry series where industry thought leaders provide valuable insider info on how to work with them and their colleagues.