At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead creative strategies and integrate media objectives for top brands.
- Company: Join WPP, a leader in innovative marketing solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for growth.
- Other info: Mentorship opportunities and a dynamic, collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Shape impactful marketing strategies and work with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in strategic marketing and strong client relationship skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
About WPP
WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in 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.
The Role
The Creative Strategy Director is responsible for developing and executing holistic marketing strategies that seamlessly integrate creative and media objectives. This role requires an experienced strategist who can translate complex business problems into innovative, data-driven solutions across all customer touchpoints – from brand positioning and creative execution to CRM, social engagement, and customer experience. You will serve as a trusted advisor to senior clients, connecting talent, data, and technology to fuel brand growth and deliver measurable outcomes. This role demands strong cross-functional leadership, enabling the unified efforts of creative, media, social, and customer teams to deliver impactful results.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and lead on insightful, creative, and data-driven strategic thinking that fuels best-in-class marketing and communications solutions, leveraging advanced tools for cross-channel optimisation, predictive modelling, and integrated campaign planning.
- Confidently present and defend strategic recommendations to senior stakeholders, both internally and client-side, up to CMO level, utilising robust data and performance forecasts.
- Deeply understand the client, target audience, and competitive landscape through advanced analytics to create and implement comprehensive strategies that align with the client's business objectives, encompassing both creative and media.
- Act as a strategic partner to clients, building strong relationships and becoming a trusted expert the client turns to for integrated strategy advice.
- Establish and document best practices for creative strategy, driving agile methodologies across the DIPPAM process and disseminating knowledge across the agency and client markets.
- Translate client needs, marketing fundamentals, research, and data into compelling briefs that inspire breakthrough creative work and see the process through across media planning.
- Leverage a wide variety of data sources to construct robust and effective integrated strategies.
- Proactively identify key opportunities and touchpoints across the customer journey to optimise engagement, brand impact, and media spend, using real-time data for campaign adjustments and personalised customer journeys.
- Champion the innovative use of AI within the strategy team, identifying opportunities to enhance strategic work, including audience segmentation, ideation, insights, and analysis.
- Take a leading role on measurement, delving into key metrics and reporting on success, utilising advanced attribution modelling, unified measurement, and real-time optimisation.
- Work closely with other agency partners as part of a collaborative team to lead common objectives while championing the work coming out of T&P and our Creative and Media best practices.
- Mentor and develop junior strategy talent, fostering a culture of data curiosity, analytical rigour, and innovative strategic thinking.
- Find, develop, and create growth opportunities within the client to broaden or further our scope of work, identifying new avenues through comprehensive market analysis.
Skills Required
- Strategic Vision: Extensive experience and passion for core strategic craft skills, including integrating creative and media strategies into one holistic stream within a similar agency environment.
- Client Relationship Building & Management: Demonstrated capability in managing complex client relationships and proven experience working effectively within large matrix client organisations, leveraging data-driven insights for senior client engagement.
- Communication & Collaboration: Excellent communication, negotiation, storytelling, and presentation skills, able to partner with clients, cross-agency partners, and internal teams, effectively articulating overarching strategy.
- Leadership: Strong leadership and team development skills, with the ability to guide, inspire, and manage junior team members in a modern, fast-paced agency environment.
- Integrated Strategy Expertise: In-depth knowledge of Creative and Media strategies, best practices, tools, platforms, and testing methodologies.
- Problem-Solving: Ability to take ownership of challenges, contribute innovative solutions and insights, and drive change.
- AI & Tech Acumen: Strong experience using AI and emerging technologies to enhance strategic planning, such as in advanced audience segmentation, generative ideation, and sophisticated analysis.
- Ambition: Ability to proactively drive projects forward, bringing curiosity, positivity, and imagination to the agency, with a strong drive for integrated innovation.
- Future-Proofing: A genuine interest in the evolving integrated brand landscape, the role of connected creative and media in the marketing mix, and continuous learning regarding technology's impact on strategy.
T&P, part of WPP, is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.
Creative Strategy Director employer: T&P
TP ICAP is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Belfast, where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong commitment to employee development, we provide comprehensive training and growth opportunities within the fast-paced financial services sector. Our inclusive culture fosters teamwork and encourages diverse perspectives, making it a rewarding place for individuals looking to make a meaningful impact in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Creative Strategy Director
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for T&P and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like T&P are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with T&P on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at T&P. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Creative Strategy Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit T&P. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of T&P:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about T&P’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at T&P
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at T&P will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At T&P, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.