Strategist New Chicago

Landor; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

Landor in Chicago seeks a Strategist to join our studio. You will partner with internal teams and WPP partners to lead research design, and deliver strategic client work that connects brand insights to business outcomes.

You will help shape brand strategies, work with multidisciplinary teams, and mentor junior talent in a dynamic, hybrid environment. The role emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and measurable results.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years in brand strategy at a design-led agency, branding consultancy, or client-side brand experience with agency-quality strategic craft.
• Genuine CPG fluency - understanding penetration, mental and physical availability, category entry points, and why growth questions are often answered with "more buyers".
• Practical experience with semiotics and category code analysis; able to apply it in practice.
• Packaging strategy experience, including audit methodology and shelf-impact assessment.
• Strong positioning and value proposition craft.
• A real relationship with design; know how to brief creative teams and give feedback that improves work.

Responsibilities

• Partners with internal teams and, where relevant, WPP partners, to lead research design, execution, and analysis.
• Gains and maintains in-depth understanding of client's business and industry.
• Makes the most of AI to maximize knowledge, inspiration and efficiencies.
• Owns the development of the client strategic deliverable by developing hypotheses, conducting analyses, and collaborating with colleagues.
• Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to identify client needs, articulate the story, develop recommendations, and presents to clients to gain buy-in.
• Leads the writing and development of high-quality delivery such as integrated client presentations.
• Generates strategies that inspire award-winning and impactful work.
• Partners with others to map out and pursue opportunities to grow current client relationships.
• Leads development of POVs for pitches and outbound new business efforts.
• Fosters communication and cohesion between internal teams and disciplines.
• Provides mentoring and on-the-job training for junior level talent.
• Responsible for performance management of direct reports and budget adherence.

Skills

Brand strategy

CPG fluency

Semiotics

Packaging strategy

Positioning

Design collaboration

Job description

Landor is looking for a Strategist to join our Chicago studio. Could this be you?

We are Landor, part of WPP
World-leading brand experts,
underpinned by the most expansive strategic & creative capabilities in our category.
We make brands more valuable and less vulnerable.
We build brands differently. We work with our clients to define and solve their business problems through the lens of brand. We strategically join the dots between our design, experience, governance and measurement capabilities, and always connect our brand work to business outcomes.
Landor companies also include amp (sonic branding), bdg (workplace & architectural experts), Deep Local (creative technologists) and ManvsMachine (3D motion design).

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. We unitecutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counselin a single company -powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open,to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.

What you'll do

• Partners with internal teams and, where relevant, WPP partners, to lead research design, execution, and analysis
• Experience the principles of BrandAsset Valuator and can pull out basic data
• Gains and maintains in-depth understanding of client's business and industry
• Makes the most of AI to maximize knowledge, inspiration and efficiencies
• Owns the development of the client strategic deliverable by developing hypotheses, conducting analyses, and collaborating with colleagues
• Collaborates on steroids with multidisciplinary teams (working closely with the creative lead, client lead and brand performance lead, as well as any required expertise or specialist) to identify client needs, articulate the story, develop recommendations, and presents to clients to gain buy-in
• Leads the writing and development of high-quality delivery such as integrated client presentations
• Generates strategies that inspire award-winning (D&AD, The One Show, and Cannes Lions), breakthrough (talked about in the media and the industry) and impactful work
• Partners with others to map out and pursue opportunities to grow current client relationships
• Leads development of POVs for pitches and outbound new business efforts
• Fosters communication and cohesion between internal teams and disciplines
• Provides mentoring and on-the-job training for junior level talent.
• Responsible for individual performance management of direct reports, including continuous conversations and interim reviews
• Understanding of and commitment to targets and budget allocations

What you'll need

• 5–8 years in brand strategy at a design-led agency, branding consultancy, or CPG-focused shop, or client-side brand experience with agency-quality strategic craft
• Genuine CPG fluency - you understand penetration, mental and physical availability, category entry points, and why the answer to most CPG growth questions is "more buyers," not "more loyalty"
• Practical experience with semiotics and category code analysis; you can do it, not just define it
• Packaging strategy experience, including audit methodology and shelf-impact assessment
• Strong positioning and value proposition craft
• A real relationship with design; you know how to brief creative teams and how to give feedback that improves work rather than flattening it

Thesalary for thisposition at the time of this posting may range from$65,000 to $85,000.Individual compensation varies based on job related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, clickWPP Benefits for more details.

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we've adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

We build brands. We build futures. Landor, a WPP company, is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics, committed to a culture of respect where everyone belongs and can progress in their careers.

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