Associate Director, Creative Strategy & Planning (Advertising)

Wasserman•Brooklyn, NY

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

THE·TEAM is seeking an Associate Director, Creative Strategy to turn consumer insights, cultural and industry trends, and client objectives into compelling brand strategies and creative opportunities. The role works across insights and analytics, account, and creative teams, shaping strategic direction for substantial client projects and helping guide creative work from briefing through ideation and concept development. The position also contributes to business development and client growth, including pitch preparation and delivery, new-client onboarding, and developing actionable ideas that strengthen brand positioning and support business and campaign goals. The role includes leading long-term creator strategy and monitoring creative trends, particularly across sports, entertainment, lifestyle, and culture. This is a full-time, hybrid role working from the office three days per week, based in either the Los Angeles or Dumbo, Brooklyn office.

Requirements

4–6 years of experience in brand, social, digital, or communications strategy.
Innate curiosity, proactiveness, and creative strategic thinking that accounts for client objectives, key insights, and practical parameters.
Ability to develop creative strategic solutions addressing clients' business challenges and goals.
Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
Superior interpersonal skills and ability to build rapport.
Demonstrated ability to lead effectively in a cross-functional team environment.
Proven track record of trend forecasting and cultural analysis that informs strategic recommendations.
Comfort using AI-powered tools to enhance strategic workflows, such as research synthesis, insight development, brainstorming, and presentation development.

Nice To Haves

Agency experience.
Experience working with national or global brands, especially in technology or quick-service restaurants.
Ability to identify emerging creators and trends before they break.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with insights and analytics, account, and creative teams to distill consumer, category, cultural, and company information into actionable insights and compelling points of view for substantial client projects.
Develop briefs across disciplines, including social, creator, project, and brand briefs.
Contribute to new-business responses, including preparing and delivering pitches, driving strategic upfronts and creative setup, and onboarding new business wins.
Proactively grow client business by anticipating trends and cultural shifts, presenting actionable insights and ideas, and evolving brand and communications strategy to support positioning and business and campaign goals.
Develop and present ideas, and sell strong strategic and creative work internally and to clients.
Stay involved after briefing to guide creative ideation and concepts and help ensure the work advances clients' businesses.
Understand client business and sector landscapes, industry contexts for client investments, brand values and direction, and broader objectives.
Monitor creative trends across categories and industries, especially sports, entertainment, lifestyle, and culture, and provide relevant creative recommendations.
Lead high-level, long-term creator strategy and vision, including campaign planning and creator archetype and tier identification.
Champion collaboration between the agency and clients and encourage relationship-building between the team and account handlers.

Benefits

Learning and development programs, mentorship opportunities, and career advancement support.
Generous paid time off and holiday allowances.
Paid parental leave.
401(k) plan with contribution matching.
Medical, dental, and vision coverage options.
FSA/HSA options.
Life and disability coverage options.
Critical illness coverage.
Identity protection.
Pet insurance.
529 plans.
Commuter support, where available.
Bonus potential, if applicable for the role.