Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic thinking and develop consumer-first strategies for high-impact client briefs.
- Company: Join SMG, a top-rated agency working with iconic brands like Disney and PepsiCo.
- Benefits: Enjoy a collaborative culture, flexible hybrid working, and the chance to work on exciting projects.
- Why this job: This role offers hands-on experience in a dynamic environment with respected professionals.
- Qualifications: Proven ability in strategy development, strong presentation skills, and team collaboration required.
- Other info: This is a freelance position, working three days a week, with no line management responsibilities.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
This role is at a Director level delivering against a scope of work whilst we recruit for this position permanently.
This is interim support working three days per week to support with responding to briefs and strategic output across two key retail media networks.
At SMG, we help some of the world’s most iconic brands — like Disney, PepsiCo, Lego, Funkin Cocktails and P&G — win at the intersection of media, creativity, and commerce. We’re now looking for an exceptional Freelance Strategy Director to join us on an interim basis to support our team in responding to exciting and varied strategic briefs across two key retail media networks.
As a freelance Strategy Director, you’ll work closely with our in-house strategists, insight and media teams to shape outstanding responses to client briefs. You’ll bring fresh perspectives, challenge thinking, and help unlock big ideas that drive results. This is not a line management role — it’s a hands-on, delivery-focused opportunity where you’ll be central to some of our most high-profile work.
Key Responsibilities:- Lead strategic thinking across high-impact client briefs within our central function
- Develop sharp, consumer-first strategies rooted in insight and commercial awareness
- Collaborate with insight, creative, and media leads to deliver joined-up strategic responses
- Spot trends, challenge assumptions, and push for innovative thinking
- Present thinking clearly and persuasively to senior stakeholders.
We are dedicated to supporting our employees to be the best version of themselves both inside and outside of work. We have an extraordinary culture built by exceptional people and it’s because of this that we’ve been recognised by Best Companies within the top 5 best Marketing & Media agencies to work for, with a World Class and Outstanding accreditation across the past 2 years.
As a freelancer, you’ll plug into a collaborative, energised team where your expertise is respected, your voice is heard, and the briefs are genuinely exciting.
Why You?We’re open to a range of backgrounds — if you live and breathe consumer-centric strategy, we want to hear from you.
You’ll bring:
- A proven ability to turn data and research into compelling, commercially sound strategies
- Experience working across varied industries or agency settings, ideally at a senior level
- Confidence presenting to and influencing senior stakeholders
- Strong collaboration skills — able to plug into a team quickly and make a real impact
If you’ve worked with media agencies, created integrated campaign strategies, or helped global brands find their edge — that’s exactly the kind of energy we’re after.
Freelance Strategy Director employer: SMG
Contact Detail:
SMG Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Freelance Strategy Director
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the brands we work with, like Disney and PepsiCo. Understanding their market positioning and recent campaigns can help you tailor your approach and demonstrate your strategic insight during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the media and retail sectors. Engaging with industry peers can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals, which can significantly boost your chances of landing the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Stay updated on the latest trends in consumer behaviour and media strategies. Being able to discuss current trends and how they impact strategy will showcase your expertise and readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to present your ideas clearly and persuasively. Practising your presentation skills will help you communicate your strategic thinking effectively, which is crucial for influencing senior stakeholders.
We think you need these skills to ace Freelance Strategy Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Freelance Strategy Director. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks mentioned in the job description, such as leading strategic thinking and collaborating with various teams.
Tailor Your CV: Highlight your relevant experience in strategy development and collaboration. Make sure to showcase any previous work with media agencies or global brands, as well as your ability to present to senior stakeholders.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to express your passion for consumer-centric strategy. Mention specific examples of how you've turned data into actionable strategies and how you can bring fresh perspectives to the team.
Prepare for Interviews: If selected for an interview, be ready to discuss your strategic thinking process and provide examples of past successes. Practice presenting your ideas clearly and persuasively, as this is crucial for the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at SMG
✨Understand the Company and Its Clients
Before your interview, take some time to research SMG and its key clients like Disney and PepsiCo. Understanding their brand values and recent campaigns will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples of how you've developed consumer-first strategies in previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you faced and how your insights led to successful outcomes, as this is crucial for a Strategy Director position.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working closely with various teams, highlight your experience in collaborative projects. Share instances where you successfully integrated insights from different departments to create impactful strategies.
✨Prepare for Senior Stakeholder Engagement
As you'll be presenting to senior stakeholders, practice articulating your ideas clearly and persuasively. Consider using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses during the interview.
