Strategy Director

co:collective • New York, NY

3d • $150,000 - $175,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

co: is a creative and strategic transformation partner for purpose-led organizations. We help our clients put purpose into practice — not just defining what they stand for, but also infusing it into everything they do, inside and outside their organization. Not just because that’s good for the world, but because it’s good for business too. The role We’re looking for a Strategy Director to join our growing brand and business team. In this role you will work across multiple disciplines of strategy (e.g. brand, business, innovation, org and culture), and across various industries including tech, biotech, CPG, healthcare, and more. What you are You are an innately curious, seasoned leader with the gravitas to navigate complex strategic questions for a top-tier global client base. You don't just solve problems; you architect the approach, designing high-impact journeys that result in transformative brand stories. As a trusted advisor to C-Suite clients, you excel at building the long-term relationships that turn projects into partnerships. You have a proven track record of mentoring and growing a team of strategists, dedicated to elevating their thinking and ensuring rigorous excellence across every output. You have extensive experience leading high-stakes brand strategy endeavors—including brand story and positioning, brand architecture, messaging, and futures thinking. Your background spans multiple disciplines, likely including business strategy, product marketing, sustainability, or innovation, and you have worked with or for Fortune 500 and preferably Fortune 100 clients. You bring a highly proactive, can-do mindset to the business, looking for every opportunity to lean in—from driving new business and thought leadership to refining our internal strategic craft. You are a deeply collaborative leader who is just as comfortable setting the vision as you are rolling up your sleeves to ensure the work moves the needle. You see brand strategy as a powerful lever for change and are committed to crafting meaningful, purpose-driven work that makes a definitive impact on the world. What you'll do As a Strategy Director, you are the engine of our strategic craft, and a pillar of team leadership and growth. You will lead multidisciplinary teams to solve the most ambitious business challenges—from defining a global brand’s future trajectory to navigating complex portfolio architectures. While you remain a practitioner at heart, your focus shifts to designing the strategic approach, stewarding the client relationship, and mentoring the next generation of talent. You can expect to: - Architect the strategic approach: Using your deep expertise across brand architecture, positioning, and research, you won't just execute a brief; you will design the methodology. You will oversee the synthesis of complex data—from primary research to C-Suite interviews—to ensure our recommendations are both rigorous and actionable. - Direct storytelling and brand evolution: You will lead the creation of compelling brand stories and purposes that provide definitive clarity for Fortune 100 businesses. You’ll be responsible for ensuring our strategic outputs—whether messaging, naming, or futures thinking—are not only insightful but designed to galvanize a client’s entire organization toward action. - Steward client relationships and growth: You will serve as a lead advisor to senior stakeholders and C-Suite executives, building the trust necessary to navigate high-stakes projects. You’ll take an active role in organic and net-new growth, identifying opportunities to expand our impact and crafting the proposals and narratives that win new business. - Lead and mentor the team: You are responsible for the high-level success of our projects and the professional development of our strategists. You will manage junior team members, helping them refine their craft and maintain a high bar for detail and thoughtfulness, even under tight deadlines. - Drive strategic innovation: You’ll roll up your sleeves to help evolve our internal tools and best practices. In our fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, you are a key collaborator in making sure our team stays at the forefront of the industry, from cultural research to creative activation. Caring for the community The co: community is deeply committed to continuing to build a diverse and inclusive workplace for all to thrive. We value and honor those with different backgrounds, unique perspectives, and believe that inclusive organizations build better teams and produce better work. We are a people-centered business that seeks to create safe spaces, lead by example, and make a positive impact on the world. co: is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer and we value a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, socioeconomic status, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Our working model We value the innovation and connection that stems from in-person collaboration. Our hybrid structure strikes a balance between flexibility and face-to-face teamwork: Standard Schedule: Two days per week in the office. Anchor Week: Three days in the office during one designated week each month. This rhythm ensures we stay aligned and connected while maintaining the benefits of a modern, flexible workplace.

Requirements

• 8 years of experience in relevant industries or environments, such as brand strategy or consulting, marketing/advertising, product development, cultural anthropology/research and more.
• Developed a strong knowledge of strategic tools and best practices, including but not limited to methodologies for research, portfolio and brand architecture, story and positioning development, messaging and naming, and creative activation/design.
• Demonstrated ability to operate autonomously while leading elements of complex, meaty, strategy projects. Comfortability managing to results by leading work that is consistent, thorough, and thoughtful under given time constraints, helping others do the same.
• Demonstrated the ability to synthesize large quantities of data (from sources such as qual and quant, primary and secondary research, exec interviews) to highlight actionable insights and resulting recommendations.
• Rolled up your sleeves and worked collaboratively with teams to reach a shared goal Demonstrated ability to support the development of strategic thinking, write proposals, and work under tight deadlines in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Proven track record of strategic recommendations to c-suite executives, and building relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Developed excellent communication skills and a high level of attention to detail.
• Cultivated an interest in new business and creating relationships that lead to organic growth.
• Have deep expertise in primary and secondary research.
• Experience managing junior strategists.

Responsibilities

• Architect the strategic approach: Using your deep expertise across brand architecture, positioning, and research, you won't just execute a brief; you will design the methodology. You will oversee the synthesis of complex data—from primary research to C-Suite interviews—to ensure our recommendations are both rigorous and actionable.
• Direct storytelling and brand evolution: You will lead the creation of compelling brand stories and purposes that provide definitive clarity for Fortune 100 businesses. You’ll be responsible for ensuring our strategic outputs—whether messaging, naming, or futures thinking—are not only insightful but designed to galvanize a client’s entire organization toward action.
• Steward client relationships and growth: You will serve as a lead advisor to senior stakeholders and C-Suite executives, building the trust necessary to navigate high-stakes projects. You’ll take an active role in organic and net-new growth, identifying opportunities to expand our impact and crafting the proposals and narratives that win new business.
• Lead and mentor the team: You are responsible for the high-level success of our projects and the professional development of our strategists. You will manage junior team members, helping them refine their craft and maintain a high bar for detail and thoughtfulness, even under tight deadlines.
• Drive strategic innovation: You’ll roll up your sleeves to help evolve our internal tools and best practices. In our fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, you are a key collaborator in making sure our team stays at the forefront of the industry, from cultural research to creative activation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed