Lead Strategist

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We are looking for a curious and kind Lead Strategist with a knack for problem solving, a strong ‘Cultural IQ,’ a commitment to quality, a collaorative leadership style, and a passion for work that matters. This confident, yet humble individual will lead projects, including driving the content, communicating with day-to-day clients, and managing ‘up’ and ‘down’ internally. They will ultimately be accountable for delivering quality work–bringing brand and innovation solutions to life with clarity, emotion, and integrity. They will work across clients, categories, and challenges, wielding and honing their ability to connect the dots, build pointed narratives, and inspire clients to action progress.  

This role is located in New York City or Richmond, VA. 

 

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TYPICAL ACTIVITIES + EXERCISES:

Lead strategists are the engines of SYLVAIN, responsible for leading brand, innovation and insights projects from start to finish. Below are several types of projects or activities this individual may be asked to lead.

• Brand Strategy
  Developing new to the world company visions and brand propositions, as well as the point of view on how they should come to life (through positioning, language, design, marketing, etc.) 
• Product and Service Innovation
  Identifying new product opportunities and developing the case for their successful implementation (i.e. consumer deep-dive, competitive analysis, concept writing, market sizing, go-to-market thought-starters, etc.)
• Cultural Analysis
  Identifying and explaining emerging trends and relevant cultural examples across a variety of categories (ie, technology, finance, food and beverage, etc.), with clear implications for the work
• Consumer Insight
  Conducting primary research in order to better understand consumer needs, and translating learnings into compelling, actionable insights. 
• Landscape Analysis
  Digging deep into the competitive landscape to identify best practices, traps, and white space opportunities
• Client and Consumer Workshops
  Planning and leading client and consumer work sessions across a variety of subject matters and project categories
• Impact-Centered Outputs
  Above all, advocating for actionable strategic thinking, with a focus on driving positive business, consumer, and social impact

 

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CANDIDATE CHARACTERISTICS 

Applicants should have 6+ years experience in some or all of the areas above. Candidates must be able to share relevant portfolio examples and demonstrate a rigorous understanding of strategic approaches. Broad experience in consulting, innovation, creative, or start-up environments is preferred. 

We are looking for someone to join our team of misfits who is a(n)... 

• Optimistic problem solver   
• Egoless collaborator   
• Divergent thinker 
• Empathetic innovator
• Scrappy self-starter 
• Curious connector 
• Thoughtful communicator 
• Passionate storyteller 
• Well-rounded generalist 
• Adaptable team player

 

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COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The base salary for this position at the time of posting ranges by region, outlined below. Individual compensation may vary based on business needs, experience, responsibility level, and qualifications. Not all applicants’ experience will match the qualifications of this role, in which case an alternative role or level may be suggested. 

New York City: Lead Strategist $115,000 - $130,000; Richmond, VA: Lead Strategist $92,000 - $105,000

The role is eligible for annual review and a discretionary annual bonus. We offer Open PTO and a robust benefits package which can be viewed here. 

We currently offer a flexible working schedule, including ‘Work from Anywhere’ benefits throughout the year. Candidates must be willing to work from the office 2-3 days a week, most weeks.

 

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ABOUT SYLVAIN 

SYLVAIN is a strategy and design company that makes new human and business value for the Now, Novel, and Next. Dissatisfied with the status quo, we collect unorthodox perspectives and uncommon ways of framing the future. By seeking better answers, and pushing for more purpose, we’re solving the most consequential business challenges of our time—always inspiring, inciting, and provoking progress. 

Founded in
 2010, SYLVAIN is a member of kyu Collective, a group of independently-led companies that share a similar mission. We have offices in New York City; Richmond, VA; Los Angeles, CA; and Amsterdam, NL.

Learn more about us at our website, or follow us on Instagram. And check out more of our thinking on our weekly newsletter: Progress Report, and our podcast: Critical Nonsense.

 

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DIVERSITY AT SYLVAIN

SYLVAIN is committed to building and sustaining a culture that celebrates our diversity and is rooted in community. We recognize that the collective sum of individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and company’s achievement.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, race, ethnicity, disability, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, natural origin, religion, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique. Lending such an array of qualities to our work ensures a human-centered approach to our way of doing things and treatment of each other.