Senior Strategist

Here at Designworks (part of the Ogilvy Network), we’re all about creating true Aotearoa icons through design that moves people, business and communities forward. We’ve been doing it for over 40 years now, and it’s all made possible by our people. This is the place where New Zealand’s best designers, thinkers, makers, and creators come together to create brands that people care about, experiences that matter and design that works. 

About the role 

The Senior Creative Strategist is a rare breed able to combine analytical and lateral thinking skills to define brand strategies that are both highly differentiating and highly compelling. Helping bring together the logic and magic that has been the hallmark of Designworks' strategic and creative output for over 40 years. 

You lead brand discovery, analysis, positioning and definition phases for complex, high-profile clients across a range of categories. Your knowledge and affinity with consumers and ability to uncover compelling human insights bring clarity and inspiration to both the strategic and creative processes. 

Your professional opinion is relied on in critical situations, hence your in-depth knowledge of marketing and branding theory, tools and other core strategic processes is critical. You are adept at determining the right approach or counsel to the issue at hand and strongly leading these conversations. 

Your wide range of interactions across the business continually develops and hones both your consultancy/planning experience and influence. Working in a highly collaborative way to ensure the highest quality of creative output flows naturally from the strategy phase. 

What you’ll do 

• Lead the strategy processes with specific clients and projects in partnership with assigned teams. 
• Your organisational and project leadership abilities reflect your standing as a senior member of the Designworks team. Your input is critical in planning approaches to projects, and your ability to spot issues and resolve project-planning challenges with clients during the strategic phases is essential.
• Orchestrate the right talent around a client or project in partnership with the Leadership team and Creative directors.
• Running client and consumer workshops and research.
• Partner closely with the wider leadership group and their teams to ensure optimal standards are maintained and innovative experiences are successfully delivered on time and on budget.
• Ability to prioritise your deliverables, allocate and organise both your time and your team's time and communicate your work plan. 
• Work with client service to grow strategy, and work with current and existing clients.
• Development/adaptation of proprietary processes, tools and methodologies for strategy.
• Up skilling and knowledge sharing amongst the wider team. 

What you’ll bring 

• 5+ years in a brand strategy or similar role within an agency or a significantly complex client.
• Leading strategic thinking and implementation for a wide range of projects and categories.
• Clear affinity with design and an appreciation for the creative product that makes you comfortable speaking to the thinking and execution of the design work on your projects as necessary.
• Proven leadership and communications style that is optimistic, authentic, collaborative, open and responsive.
• Leadership level relationship and presentation skills at a senior management, CEO, and on occasion at board level are essential.
• Adept in determining the right approach or counsel to the issue at hand and strongly leading these conversations internally and externally.
• Strong organisation skills – you are planned, methodical and responsive.
• Analytical – you can interpret information and translate it into a simple format.
• Problem solver – your optimistic energy and thinking skills enable you to spot problems and solve them quickly. Can do, ‘roll up sleeves’ attitude essential.
• An interest in trends, including technology, design and marketing and how they can affect our clients and our agency offering. Understand that the industry is changing and is unafraid to add skills to their bow to stay current.
• A strategic and creative force with a passion and love for brand thinking and creativity. 

What we’ll give you 

• Central city open plan, architecturally designed office
• A flexible hybrid working environment to make sure work is working for you
• The latest Apple technology to get the job done with 
• Barista quality coffee machine to fuel your caffeine fix and master your coffee art skills
• The kitchen is stocked with endless snacks, and we enjoy breakfast together every Wednesday
• We have many cultural rituals throughout the week to keep the vibes high, you can also join our social club for more events
• Additional leave including birthday, loyalty, study, parental leave, long service, and summer days’ leave
• A tailored personal development plan to help you identify and achieve your goals, coupled with a dedicated manager to support your career and personal development
• Confidential counselling support via EAP if personal or professional life throws you a curveball
• We’ll give you a referral bonus for bringing other talented people into the business
• Access to discounts and vouchers for big household name brands via our benefits platform, perkSPACE. 

Please note: All applicants must have valid New Zealand working rights. 

Designworks is an inclusive opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and welcoming workplace. We encourage people of all backgrounds, orientations, identities and more to apply.