Director, Consumer Strategy & Insights

Canvas Worldwide; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental and vision

Pet insurance

Commuter benefits

401(k) matching

Unlimited PTO

Job summary

Canvas Worldwide seeks a leader to direct the consumer insights practice, focusing on automotive culture, brands, and people. You will investigate market drivers and competitors to uncover actionable insights for strategic decisions.

You will translate data into persuasive narratives, develop Activation Briefs, and guide ideation across media while staying ahead of trends and new tools to strengthen clients and the agency.

Qualifications

• Influential leader who builds strong internal and external relationships and collaborates effectively within a matrix structure.
• Skilled at synthesizing qualitative and quantitative findings into compelling storytelling that informs, influences, and shapes strategy.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills, with an eye for effective presentation design.
• Resourceful, proactive self-starter with strong accountability, sound judgment, and the ability to drive projects from start to finish.
• Adaptable problem solver who can prioritize multiple tasks, work independently when needed, and learn new tools quickly.
• Intellectually curious, service-oriented, and committed to truth and objectivity.
• Open to testing new approaches and learning from what works—and what does not.

Responsibilities

• Understand the category, brand, consumer, and communications challenge to strengthen audience connections.
• Use research and data to uncover consumer, brand, and channel insights.
• Apply planning and insights tools, including Linnaeus, MRI/Simmons, GWI, VideoAmp, and related resources.
• Turn data and analysis into compelling stories, presentations, and strategic recommendations.
• Develop Activation Briefs for assigned brands and new business that keep work on strategy.
• Lead ideation across media channels and inspire creative use of existing and emerging vehicles.
• Share emerging trends and thought leadership that bring fresh perspective to clients and the agency.
• Build strong relationships with Canvas strategy, channel planning, clients, and agency partners.
• Stay current on audience behaviors and channel opportunities to strengthen consumer insights.
• Advance Canvas’ insights capabilities through new tools and improved ways of working.

Skills

Influential leader

Storytelling

Presentation skills

Collaboration in matrix

Problem solving

Adaptable

Tools

Linnaeus

MRI/Simmons

GWI

VideoAmp

Job description

You will be responsible for directing the consumer insights practice for your assigned brand. This will include a deep investigation into culture, brands, and people, with a specific focus on the automotive culture, larger competitive landscape, and potential buyers, influencers, and other market drivers.

Responsibilities:

UNDERSTAND (35%)

• Understand the category, brand, consumer, and communications challenge to strengthen audience connections.
• Use research and data to uncover consumer, brand, and channel insights.
• Apply planning and insights tools, including Linnaeus, MRI/Simmons, GWI, VideoAmp, and related resources.

CREATE (50%)

• Turn data and analysis into compelling stories, presentations, and strategic recommendations.
• Develop Activation Briefs for assigned brands and new business that keep work on strategy.
• Lead ideation across media channels and inspire creative use of existing and emerging vehicles.
• Share emerging trends and thought leadership that bring fresh perspective to clients and the agency.

MANAGE (15%)

• Build strong relationships with Canvas strategy, channel planning, clients, and agency partners.
• Stay current on audience behaviors and channel opportunities to strengthen consumer insights.
• Advance Canvas’ insights capabilities through new tools and improved ways of working.

Qualifications:

• Influential leader who builds strong internal and external relationships and collaborates effectively within a matrix structure
• Skilled at synthesizing qualitative and quantitative findings into compelling storytelling that informs, influences, and shapes strategy
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills, with an eye for effective presentation design
• Resourceful, proactive self-starter with strong accountability, sound judgment, and the ability to drive projects from start to finish
• Adaptable problem solver who can prioritize multiple tasks, work independently when needed, and learn new tools quickly
• Intellectually curious, service-oriented, and committed to truth and objectivity
• Open to testing new approaches and learning from what works—and what does not

Experience & Education:

• Six to eight years’ experience at an agency or in a consumer-focused role (for example, strategic/account planner at a creative agency or connections planner at a media agency)
• Previous experience working in the automotive industry is a PLUS
• Facility with all relevant data sources (1st, 2nd, 3rd party)
• Strong consumer quantitative/syndicated research expertise
• Client presentation history

Salary and Benefits

Actual base salary is determined upon factors such as experience, qualifications, training, certifications, and internal equity. The Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Base salary is part of a total rewards package that includes highly competitive benefits like generous medical, dental, vision, pet insurance, commuter benefits, disability and life insurance coverage, 401(k) matching, up to 14 holidays per year, a “Do Good Day,” and unlimited PTO.

• generous medical
• dental
• vision
• pet insurance
• commuter benefits
• disability and life insurance coverage
• 401(k) matching
• up to 14 holidays per year
• a “Do Good Day,”
• unlimited PTO

Additional perks include employee social and wellness events, a DEI Council, auto purchase rebate program, monthly wellness allowance, and in-office amenities such as fresh kombucha and an in-house barista inside our beautiful, new vibrant El Segundo office.

• employee social and wellness events
• a DEI Council
• auto purchase rebate program
• monthly wellness allowance
• in-office amenities such as fresh kombucha and an in-house barista inside our beautiful, new vibrant El Segundo office

In-Office Work Schedule

This is a hybrid role, requiring a minimum of 3 days in-office per week.

Canvas Worldwide is an Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.