Hybrid Strategist

Mindshare; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 700 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading media agency in Johannesburg seeks a Strategist to develop effective media campaigns and foster client relationships. The ideal candidate is expected to have a marketing degree and over 5 years of experience in media/communications planning. Key responsibilities include creating media strategies and maintaining strong client relationships. This position offers a dynamic environment with opportunities for collaboration across teams.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in business consultancy or strategic planning, with at least 3 years in media/communications planning.
• Proven experience working with multiple stakeholders in media agencies.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Create strategic media recommendations integrating the consumer journey.
• Develop strong relationships with clients and media partners.
• Coordinate annual plans for brands in assigned categories.

Skills

Media planning

Analytical skills

Relationship management

Strategic thinking

Education

Marketing / advertising degree

Job description

The Strategist, together with the internal team, works hand-in-hand with the clients’ marketing department and creative agency to ensure the development of effective and unique media campaigns. The strategist is to immerse themselves within the clients' business, gaining an understanding of the client’s needs and goals, as well as the brands’ customers, in order to provide clear and consistent input into the media strategy. Based on given objectives, the strategist applies their knowledge of media and communication platforms to identify the most appropriate vehicles for building awareness of a client’s brand.

The Strategist reports to the Client Lead.

Objectives :

• Strategy
• Create strong, compelling, and strategic media recommendations on how different channels can be used to integrate the consumer journey and define the role of media use to the consumer.
• Strive to deliver media solutions that drive key objectives to ensure budget efficacy and performance.
• Work in collaboration with the client lead, planning, as well as implementation groups, to develop budget allocations across media mix scenarios.
• Use client data and technology architecture to provide strategic solutions to clients.
• Have a good understanding of Mindshare / GroupM trading / proprietary offerings and ensure these offerings are considered in recommendations, where relevant, to deliver on client objectives.
• Provide insights on emerging media and new opportunities.
• Build competitor / brand reviews to ensure execution of strategic actions.
• Ensure regular media update presentations to clients, e.g., trends, landscapes, hot topics.
• Collaborate across the Strategy Hub to drive continuous improvement.
• Participate in client / vendor initiatives / workshops to ensure media strategies benefit from continuous research.
• Understand the competitive context within which brands operate (from SOV, SOM, pricing, and distribution), providing insights beyond quantitative data.
• Use agency research and planning tools to set communication/channel objectives for campaigns (e.g., ARs, GRPs, reach, frequency), utilizing industry & Mindshare tools/methodology.
• Coordinate & complete annual plans for all brands in assigned categories.
• Collaborate with the implementation team on reporting to deliver insights and optimization recommendations.

Relationship Management

• Be the key day-to-day contact for Clients and the Account Leadership team.
• Develop strong relationships at all client levels.
• Maintain and develop relationships with media partners/vendors to contribute to the best media strategies.
• Keep updated on the client’s organizational structure, planning process, marketing calendar, and key stakeholders’ needs.
• Ensure client relationships are strengthened through quality deliverables and satisfaction.
• Work with clients and agency partners to bring campaigns to life, including attending and contributing to progress meetings.

The Ideal Candidate

• Marketing / advertising degree with a focus on strategy.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in business consultancy, market research/analytics, or strategic planning, with at least 3 years in media/communications planning.
• Experience in media agencies and knowledge of media planning required.
• Proven experience working with multiple stakeholders, e.g., suppliers, agencies, media owners.
• Experience in campaign implementation and reporting is beneficial.
• Understanding of business principles, good financial and commercial perception.
• Excellent presentation, facilitation, communication, analytical, and numerical skills.
• Good understanding of digital and traditional media channels.
• Problem-solving skills, proficiency in Word, databases, spreadsheets, email, and internet.

Personal Characteristics

• Behave ethically, aligning with organizational standards and values.
• Build and maintain positive relationships internally and externally.
• Communicate effectively, clearly, and timely.
• Focus on client needs, anticipating and responding to their expectations.
• Foster teamwork and work cooperatively to achieve goals.
• Lead positively, influencing others to achieve results.
• Live and represent organizational values: Empathy, Energy, Impact.