Director, Strategy

NATIONAL•Toronto, ON

7d•CA$103,500 - CA$115,000•Hybrid

About The Position

NATIONAL has helped organizations navigate moments of transformation, build trust, and solve the business challenges that matter most. As one of Canada's largest independent communications consultancies, we combine strategic advisory, communications, public affairs, digital, healthcare, creative and research expertise to help leading public and private sector organizations shape reputation, influence stakeholders and drive business outcomes. We believe the future of communication sits at the intersection of business strategy, executive leadership, and stakeholder trust. Our Toronto team is growing its strategy practice and is looking for a leader who thrives in ambiguity, enjoys solving complex business problems, and is excited to help clients navigate change. As Director, Strategy & Insights, you'll serve as a trusted strategic advisor to senior executives, helping clients solve complex business and reputation challenges through research, insight, and integrated communication strategy. You will lead high-impact strategic engagements, facilitate executive workshops, uncover opportunities for growth, and work across multidisciplinary teams to develop integrated strategies that influence business decisions, not just communications plans. This is a leadership role for someone who enjoys asking better questions, connecting disparate ideas, and helping organizations navigate transformation.

Requirements

10+ years of experience advising senior leaders on business, reputation, communications, transformation or stakeholder strategy
Experience in management consulting, strategic communications, brand strategy, public affairs, corporate affairs, or a related advisory environment
Exceptional facilitation skills with experience leading executive workshops and strategic planning sessions
Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex research into compelling strategic recommendations
Strong commercial instinct with experience identifying growth opportunities and expanding client relationships
Outstanding written and verbal communications skills with confidence presenting to executive audiences
High degree of comfort using AI-enabled tools to accelerate research, synthesis and strategic thinking

Nice To Haves

You enjoy helping organizations answer questions they haven’t yet learned to ask
Naturally curious with exceptional critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
Able to simplify complexity and help clients make confident decisions
Comfortable working in ambiguity and leading through change
Strong executive presence with the ability to influence senior stakeholders
Commercial mindset with a passion for growing client relationships and developing new opportunities
Collaborative leader who enjoys building teams and developing future talent

Responsibilities

Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to senior client leaders, helping them navigate complex business, reputation, and stakeholder challenges
Lead research, insight generation, and strategic planning for high-profile client mandates across corporate reputation, executive positioning, transformation, public affairs and integrated communications
Design and facilitate executive workshops, strategy sessions, and stakeholder engagements that help clients align around business priorities
Translate qualitative and quantitative research into actionable business and communications strategies
Develop compelling narratives, positioning platforms, audience strategies, and thought leadership programs
Identify emerging client needs and proactively develop opportunities to expand strategic advisory relationships
Lead the strategic direction of major proposals and new business pursuits, contributing to the Firm’s continued growth
Mentor and develop consultants, helping build NATIONAL’s strategic advisory capability
Contribute to the evolution of NATIONAL’s proprietary strategic methodologies, research approaches and advisory offerings