Associate Director, Brand Experience Strategy

dentsu•Los Angeles, CA

2d•$114,425 - $130,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Dentsu Creative is a business-driven, creatively focused agency that uses Transformative Creativity—outcome-focused creativity applied to business problems—to help clients grow. Its strategists are proactive leaders, challenge the status quo, create tangible work, embrace feedback and growth, and collaborate across teams. The Associate Director, Brand Experience Strategy reports to the VP, Brand Experience Strategy and joins a team developing how spirits, alcohol, and non-alcohol brands appear across retail, restaurants and bars, entertainment, digital, social, experiential, and trade. The role leads day-to-day strategy for assigned accounts, monitors market and consumer trends, translates insight into go-to-market plans, and partners with Account, Creative, and Analytics teams to bring strategy to market. The position is based in New York. Dentsu's working model combines flexibility with in-person collaboration. Employees within commuting distance of a hub office are generally expected to work from the office three days per week; the stated two-day exception applies to Los Angeles. Employees outside commuting range may be designated remote depending on the role and business needs, and employees may need to attend an office to meet company or client needs. The annual salary range is $114,425–$130,000, with placement based on relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and other factors permitted by law. The position is full-time and permanent.

Requirements

At least 6 years of experience developing integrated brand strategies, including at least 2 years in experiential, events, shopper, or retail strategy, or equivalent.
Ability to translate different types of data into insights that drive creative thinking and client growth.
Maturity and leadership to contribute as a key player on a collaborative, multidisciplinary cross-agency team.
Strong problem-solving orientation and comfort using AI as a tool to work faster and sharpen thinking.
Ability to build strong relationships with middle-level marketing clients and earn their trust and respect.
Ability to mentor and develop strategists and foster collaboration.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the spirits or alcoholic beverage category.
Experience in other beverage or CPG categories.

Responsibilities

Turn brand experience visions into actionable strategies, points of view, experiential programs, and go-to-market plans for assigned brands.
Bring evidence-based ideas to client conversations and strengthen strategic thinking.
Lead day-to-day strategy on assigned accounts, projects, and deliverables with minimal oversight.
Translate research, data, and observation into clear points of view on where and how brands should show up.
Represent the strategy voice in internal and client reviews alongside the wider strategy team.
Partner with Account, Creative, and Analytics teams to turn strategy into work in market.
Act as a catalyst for creative, media, data, account, and other brand teams to add value to brand experiences and identify future opportunities.
Build trusted relationships with middle-level marketing clients.
Mentor and develop strategists and foster a collaborative environment where ideas flourish.
Proactively seek collaborative opportunities to improve the work.