Creative Strategy Director (Freelance) in London

Whalar is the leading, most awarded, independent Creator and Social agency. We transform brands into cultural drivers by unlocking the full creative power of Creators. We go beyond the conventional social and influencer strategy. We have the technology and methodology to tap into the beating pulse of communities, listen to nuances that move culture, and connect brands in ways that make them unforgettable.

About the role: As Director, Creative Strategy at Whalar you are the connective tissue between brand ambition and creator culture. You know that the best ideas in the creator economy aren’t briefed into existence but built in collaboration with creators who have agency and authority with their communities. You have deep fluency in how culture moves across platforms, knowing the difference between a brand showing up in culture and having permission to be part of culture - and how to close the gap.

We’re looking for someone to join the team who possesses an internal drive to lead with warmth, operates with urgency and holds themselves to the highest standards. As the Director of Creative Strategy at Whalar, you design the strategic springboard that enables our internal teams, brands and creators to execute the most compelling, award worthy, creator led work.

Here’s what you’ll do day-to-day:

• You are a natural storyteller who can set the stage with compelling creative strategies for UK and global multi-market accounts.
• You lead the cross-functional charge with Community, Research & Insight, Media, Measurement and Client Services to build the creator strategies that ensure quality, strategic viability and creative excellence every time.
• You’re the one who takes a client brief and finds the ‘gold’. You unpack client briefs with strategic precision and are able to metabolise vast amounts of new information quickly.
• You are as comfortable digging through the data to find one sharp human insight and/or cultural signal as you are building out worlds with your creative co-pilots.
• You understand how people behave online and possess the fluency to ensure a brand’s story makes sense wherever it lives across platforms & communities.
• Partnering with Client Business leads, you grow and strengthen existing relationships by immersing yourself into client worlds.
• You aren’t afraid to interrogate the business problems to ensure the strategy is always solving the right challenges.
• You’ve got your pulse on the latest trends, formats, platform shifts and emerging solutions that enable you to build progressive, culturally-rooted and high impact creative routes that leverage creators in original ways.
• You guarantee that each key account touchpoint is informed and sharpened by learnings of previous work, resulting in creative strategies that evolve at pace with both the industry and brand insights.
• You are both an internal and external authority on what’s next in the creator economy, keeping the team, Marketing, and brands inspired and prepared for where the industry is moving.
• Your insight powers thought leadership and elevates the entire team.

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Must have direct experience developing creator and/or community focussed campaigns.
• Minimum of 9 years experience in creative, social media, or content strategy, with 3+ years of experience in a senior role - this includes directly leading a team.
• Fluency in social media platforms and their unique dynamics, including extensive knowledge of user behaviors and platform best practices.
• Meticulous, culturally rooted creative thinker and practitioner with an eye for ‘what’s next’.
• A person who leads with positivity and confidence, is detail oriented with strong project management skills.
• Strong analytical skills; comfortable transforming sets of data into actionable insights.
• Passion and experience in the creator economy and ecosystem and its evolving landscape.
• Experienced at pitching, and confident when presenting to clients and team members.
• You thrive in an environment where collaboration, flexibility and scrappiness are valued.
• You have outstanding interpersonal skills, a relentless work ethic, a spirit of collaboration, and a ‘roll up your sleeves’ mentality with the flexibility to support any size project.

Based in Farringdon, London, we embrace a flexible hybrid model. We ask our team to work from the office two to three days a week, with Tuesday and Thursday serving as our "anchor days." These days are dedicated to collaborating in person and celebrating Whalar’s vibrant culture together.

Our values: At Whalar, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) isn't just a statement, it's our collective strength. Our people are our superpower. A diverse team and inclusive leadership have shaped Whalar since our inception in 2016, fueling a constant evolution of growth. We champion a culture of respect and empathy, fostering a sense of belonging that transcends demographics. We hire individuals of all backgrounds and empower them to thrive, challenge stereotypes, and actively break societal barriers.

The perks: Whalar provides flexible benefits and collaborative work environments/experiences, so employees can work productively in a setting that best and uniquely suits their needs.

• Private medical insurance
• Health cash plan
• 25 days of PTO + Sick days + Winter break
• Private pension scheme
• Monthly phone/internet reimbursement
• Professional development stipend
• New joiner's Home office allowance
• Enhanced maternity (up to 22 weeks) / paternity (up 16 weeks) leave
• Reduced fee gym membership (next to office location)
• Life Assurance
• Workplace Nursery Scheme
• Volunteer days
• Social programs