Growth Strategist

Finn Partners•, (Multiple States)

2d•$150,000 - $200,000

About The Position

We are looking for an exceptional Growth Strategist to join our Growth team. This is one of the most senior strategic roles within FINN Partners and is suited to an experienced agency strategist with deep research expertise and the judgment to turn findings into clear, actionable strategy. Research is the foundation of this role, and it exists to drive decisions. This person will move fluidly across primary and secondary research, digital and social listening, and AI-enabled methods, using whichever combination best answers the question at hand, and will translate what they learn into insight that reframes how clients see their business, audience, market, or competition. From there, they will make clear strategic recommendations, working closely with specialists across the agency to ensure those recommendations are realistic and implementable. While the role sits within the Growth team and plays a critical part in winning new business, it extends beyond RFPs and pitches. This person will also provide strategic and research leadership on existing client accounts, including engagements they were not involved in winning. The role requires intellectual curiosity, strong research capability, commercial judgment, and the confidence to make clear recommendations often with limited information and tight deadlines.

Requirements

Minimum 15 years of strategic experience, with the majority gained in an agency or consulting environment.
Significant experience designing and leading research across a range of methodologies.
Strong judgment about data quality and rigor, balanced with the scrappiness to move fast when new business timelines demand it.
Strong knowledge of survey design, sampling, research methodology, analysis, and insight development.
Experience personally conducting executive, stakeholder, and customer interviews.
Proven track record leading strategy for complex pitches, RFPs, and new business opportunities.
Ability to synthesize large volumes of information into a clear strategic point of view.
Excellent strategic storytelling, presentation, and facilitation skills, grounded in command of the evidence and the ability to defend a recommendation under scrutiny.
A track record of earning the confidence of senior stakeholders through the quality and credibility of their work.
A strong point of view on where marketing, media, and culture are heading.
Strong commercial acumen and the ability to connect research and strategy to measurable business outcomes.
Comfort working with ambiguity, limited information, and evolving client requirements.
Intellectually curious and insight driven.
Methodologically flexible and resourceful, with good instincts for when data is solid enough to act on.
Decisive, with the judgment to make a clear recommendation rather than present a list of options.
Commercially minded and focused on business outcomes.
Confident and credible in the room, earning trust through command of the work rather than salesmanship.
Structured and analytical, without losing sight of the bigger picture.
Comfortable navigating ambiguity and incomplete information.
Proactive and self-directed.
Passionate about solving complex business and growth challenges.

Responsibilities

Lead the design and execution of research across methodologies choosing the right mix for the question, timeline, and budget at hand.
Shape research methodology around the business question and the strategic decisions the client needs to make.
Move quickly and resourcefully in new business contexts without compromising the credibility of the findings.
Develop surveys, questionnaires, sampling approaches, and analytical frameworks when primary research is warranted.
Personally conduct executive stakeholder interviews, customer interviews, and other in-depth qualitative research.
Analyze findings alongside market, audience, competitor, and performance data.
Translate findings into insight that drives a decision: what the evidence says, why it matters, and what the client or FINN should do next.
Work effectively with specialist researchers, analysts, and external vendors while maintaining strategic ownership of the engagement.
Develop segmentation models, personas, journeys, and messaging frameworks that can be used and defended in front of senior leadership.
Maintain a working knowledge of evolving industry landscapes, methodologies, and cultural trends so recommendations stay current.
Lead the strategic development of new business opportunities and RFP responses, using research to identify the central business challenge and build the case for why FINN is the right partner.
Develop insight-led strategies that differentiate FINN's proposals and create competitive advantage.
Translate research and strategy into practical recommendations that client and agency teams can implement.
Collaborate with creative, digital, PR, media, and account teams to ensure recommendations are realistic and well-supported.
Present strategic recommendations to prospective clients and senior FINN leadership.
Build measurement frameworks and KPIs aligned with client objectives.
Remain engaged following successful pitches to preserve continuity and support implementation.
Manage multiple opportunities and engagements simultaneously, balancing competing priorities and deadlines.
Serve as a trusted research and strategy adviser to senior clients.
Provide strategic leadership on existing client accounts, including those where you were not involved in the original pitch.
Quickly get up to speed on unfamiliar businesses, industries, and operating environments.
Communicate complex findings and recommendations clearly and confidently, earning stakeholder buy-in through the credibility and rigor of the work rather than force of personality.
Identify opportunities to grow existing client relationships through additional research or strategic consulting.