Strategy Director

Smith Hanley; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus potential

Hybrid/Remote work

Job summary

Smith Hanley in Chicago is seeking a Strategy Director to lead innovation, brand, and growth-focused client engagements. This is a high-visibility seller/doer role for someone who thrives in ambiguity and wants to shape the future of a modern insights and strategy practice.

You will guide engagements end-to-end, translate trends into growth strategies, and mentor junior teammates while expanding client relationships. Hybrid/Remote USA environment with strong growth potential.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in strategy, innovation, consulting, insights, or brand planning.
• Experience within a consultancy, innovation firm, research agency, or strategy-focused environment.
• Strong storytelling and presentation skills.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and challenge client thinking.
• Commercial mindset with experience growing accounts or contributing to business development.
• Comfortable working across qualitative, quantitative, cultural, and trend-based inputs.
• Ideal backgrounds: Innovation Strategy, Brand Strategy, Consumer Insights, Experience Design / Design Thinking, Insight-Led Consulting.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic consulting engagements from discovery through delivery.
• Translate research, trends, and cultural insights into actionable growth strategies.
• Facilitate workshops, innovation sessions, and client-facing presentations.
• Grow and expand client relationships while contributing to revenue goals.
• Mentor junior team members and elevate strategic thinking across the organization.
• Contribute to evolving methodologies, including AI-enabled approaches and innovation frameworks.

Skills

Strategy leadership

Consulting experience

Storytelling

Ambiguity navigation

Business development

Job description

Title: Strategy Director
Location: Chicago, IL OR Remote USA
Compensation: $140-175k + bonus
Contact: Lindsey Bartlett - [e-mail]

A fast-growing strategic consultancy is hiring a senior-level strategist to lead innovation, brand, and growth-focused client engagements. This is a high-visibility seller/doer role for someone who thrives in ambiguity, enjoys solving complex business problems, and wants to help shape the future direction of a modern insights and strategy practice.

What You’ll Do

• Lead strategic consulting engagements from discovery through delivery


• Translate research, trends, and cultural insights into actionable growth strategies


• Facilitate workshops, innovation sessions, and client-facing presentations


• Grow and expand client relationships while contributing to revenue goals


• Mentor junior team members and help elevate strategic thinking across the organization


• Contribute to evolving methodologies, including AI-enabled approaches and innovation frameworks

What They’re Looking For

• 7+ years in strategy, innovation, consulting, insights, or brand planning


• Experience within a consultancy, innovation firm, research agency, or strategy-focused environment


• Strong storytelling and presentation skills


• Ability to navigate ambiguity and challenge client thinking


• Commercial mindset with experience growing accounts or contributing to business development


• Comfortable working across qualitative, quantitative, cultural, and trend-based inputs


• Ideal Backgrounds Innovation Strategy Brand Strategy Consumer Insights Experience Design / Design Thinking Insight-Led Consulting

Why It’s Interesting

Opportunity to help build and shape a growing strategic practice

• High level of client exposure and influence


• Entrepreneurial, collaborative culture


• Flexible hybrid environment with strong growth potential