Director of Strategy

Mainland; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Paid time off and holidays

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Mainland is seeking a Director of Strategy to lead the strategic direction of client relationships and translate insights into measurable outcomes. You will connect client objectives, market insights, digital performance, and lead generation data to develop strategic roadmaps guiding execution.

Reporting across the General Manager, Account Management, Customer Success, and cross-functional teams, you will own the roadmap, drive execution, and ensure alignment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in strategy, integrated marketing, digital marketing, communications, or a related agency environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing integrated strategic roadmaps tied to measurable business objectives.
• Strong understanding of digital marketing metrics, lead generation, conversion performance, customer journeys, and performance measurement.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex performance data and translate insights into strategic recommendations and executable plans.
• Experience establishing KPIs and measurement frameworks tied to business outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience supporting client retention, renewals, account growth, and scope expansion.
• Strong understanding of integrated marketing and communications and how multiple channels work together to drive business results.

Responsibilities

• Own the strategic direction and roadmap for assigned client relationships.
• Develop integrated strategic roadmaps with priorities, performance expectations, and measures of success.
• Translate performance data into actionable insights and recommendations for clients and cross-functional teams.
• Maintain visibility into execution and performance against the strategic roadmap, identifying gaps and adjustments.
• Use market intelligence, audience insights, competitive analysis, client data, and performance trends to evolve strategic direction.
• Strategy is translated into cross-functional execution and optimized based on results.
• Develop a strong understanding of each client's business model, customer journey, competitive environment, growth objectives, and key drivers.
• Ensure strategic recommendations are executable, scoped, measurable, and resourced.
• Partner with the General Manager on Tier 1-2 accounts and Account Managers on Tier 3-5 to maintain alignment.
• Translate performance results into actionable direction for teams and clients.

Skills

Strategy experience

Integrated marketing

Digital marketing

Data analysis

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Marketing/Communications

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

The Director of Strategy leads the strategic direction of Mainland's client relationships and ensures strategies translate into measurable business outcomes.

This role connects client business objectives, market insights, digital performance, lead generation data, and Mainland's capabilities to develop strategic roadmaps that guide execution. The Director of Strategy analyzes performance, identifies opportunities, and adjusts strategic direction based on data and evolving client needs. You will own the strategic roadmap and be accountable for moving strategy from insight to implementation to measurable results.

Working across the General Manager, Account Management, Customer Success, and specialized functional teams, the Director of Strategy ensures client objectives are translated into actionable plans, aligned scopes of work, measurable performance indicators, and coordinated execution.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Roadmap

• Own the strategic direction and roadmap for assigned client relationships, translating business objectives, challenges, and growth priorities into actionable strategies.
• Develop integrated strategic roadmaps that establish priorities, initiatives, performance expectations, and measures of success.
• Translate performance data into actionable insights and recommendations for clients and cross-functional teams.
• Maintain visibility into execution and performance against the strategic roadmap, identifying gaps and driving appropriate adjustments.
• Use market intelligence, audience insights, competitive analysis, client data, and performance trends to continuously evaluate and evolve strategic direction.
• Strategy is effectively translated into cross-functional execution and continuously optimized based on results.
• Develop a strong understanding of each client's business model, customer journey, competitive environment, growth objectives, and key performance drivers.
• Ensure strategic recommendations are executable, appropriately scoped, measurable, and supported by the resources necessary for successful implementation.
• Partner with the General Manager on Tier 1 and Tier 2 accounts and Account Managers on Tier 3, Tier 4 and Tier 5 accounts to maintain strategic alignment and performance.

Performance & Analytics

• Analyze digital performance metrics, lead generation data, conversion trends, campaign performance, and other business indicators to evaluate strategic effectiveness and identify opportunities.
• Establish KPIs and measurement frameworks that connect Mainland's work to measurable client business objectives.
• Partner with digital and functional specialists to evaluate performance and determine where strategy, investment, or execution should be adjusted.
• Use performance results and emerging business conditions to continuously optimize strategic roadmaps and execution priorities.

Retention, Scope & Growth

• Own the strategic approach to client retention and renewals, ensuring recommendations demonstrate continued value and align with evolving client business objectives.
• Ensure client scopes remain strategically aligned with business objectives, priorities, and recommended initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to expand client relationships based on performance data, business needs, emerging opportunities, and identified gaps.
• Develop the strategic rationale and roadmap supporting account expansion, renewal, or changes in scope.
• Clients view Mainland as a strategic business partner, not solely an execution partner.
• Identify strategic risks affecting performance, retention, renewal, or growth and proactively develop recommendations to address them.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in strategy, integrated marketing, digital marketing, communications, advertising, or a related agency environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing integrated strategic roadmaps tied to measurable business objectives.
• Strong understanding of digital marketing metrics, lead generation, conversion performance, customer journeys, and performance measurement.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex performance data and translate insights into strategic recommendations and executable plans.
• Experience establishing KPIs and measurement frameworks tied to business outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience supporting client retention, renewals, account growth, and scope expansion.
• Strong understanding of integrated marketing and communications and how multiple channels work together to drive business results.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams through strategic direction, influence, and accountability.
• Strong analytical thinking, business judgment, problem-solving, presentation, and executive communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex client strategies and priorities within a fast-moving agency environment.

Salary Range:

$120,000-$150,000 annually plus bonus. Actual compensation will be determined based on relevant experience, skills, qualifications and business needs.

Benefits Eligible

• Mainland's benefits package, which may include: Medical, dental and vision insurance. Paid time off and paid holidaysRetirement benefits, if applicable
• Additional company-sponsored benefits and programs available to eligible employees.Specific eligibility, coverage and benefit details will be provided during the hiring process and are subject to the terms of the applicable plans and policies.

EEO- Mainland is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are made without regard to any status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.