Creative Brand Strategist

We are seeking a creative minded, critical thinking Creative Brand Strategist with a proven ability to engage teams and drive results independently in an advertising agency or in-house agency environment. A highly experienced thought leader with a deep understanding of people, culture, and the world, and most importantly, a desire to dig into what makes them tick. Leverages logic and excels at distilling facts and insights to create a highly impactful understanding of the target audience.

Our client is a leading provider of insurance, banking, and investment and retirement solutions to more than 13 million members of the U.S. military, veterans who have honorably served and their families.

In this critical role, this will lead creative strategy development through the ownership of creative briefs and the provision of creative guidance for the in-house agency copy writer, graphic designer, and video teams. Must have experience converting marketing strategy, business and channel goals into creative strategy and messaging and communication ecosystems for 360 advertising campaigns, while guiding and maintaining the existing brand standards/guidelines. This role requires a strategist that tells compelling brand stories that excite, inspire, and help partners see opportunities in new ways. The Creative Brand Strategist independently champions large-scale strategic efforts as assigned with little oversight, supports other strategists as needed, and conducts other strategy-related duties as assigned. Must have experience independently developing creative briefs and message/communication matrices.

Our client offer a flexible work environment that requires an individual to be in the office 4 days per week. This position will be based in the San Antonio, TX office. Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

What You'll Do:

• Independently develops creative strategy for large-scale integrated projects and programs via clear yet powerful brand/enterprise creative briefs, including but not limited to message/communication matrices, and journey mapping
• Develop inspiring and timely audience profiles, insights and understanding - a critical part of creative briefs targeting suspects, new members, existing members for initiatives within Marketing/In-house creative agency as assigned
• Communicate effectively while collaborating across creative, brand management and project management teams in support of marketing efforts and advertising campaigns
• Trusted partner to creative teams supporting them throughout creative development, including but not limited to brainstorming, creative concepting and executional development, strategic guidance
• Excellent at conveying ideas, highly skilled in writing, and adept at presenting and leading meetings to senior level partners and colleagues
• Champion and bring to life unique military "understanding" in such a way that insights is a critical deliverable of the Brand and Creative Strategy team, and an inspiring focal point for creative teams with little supervision
• Support and uphold alignment to Branding principles via creative briefs and verbal/written guidance during development
• Identify and leverage key military and cultural/societal trends that could impact creative briefs, as well as industry trends for the broader Brand & Creative Strategy team
• Exhibits strategic thought leadership by staying ahead of trends and offering practical inspiration and recommendations
• Expert or Experience in leading social media strategy planning, full digital upper to mid funnel campaign cadence resulting in well integrated and successful executions
• Proficient in independently managing and coordinating multiple work streams and deadlines efficiently
• Leads brainstorming sessions to generate breakthrough ideas, as needed
• Develops more tactical project creative briefs, as needed

What You'll Bring:

• Ability to harness intuition to guide development and creative work, and interpret data to develop creative insights
• Ability to build relationships and influence the creative process
• Solid presentation and communication skills
• Engaging storyteller
• Curious personality
• Proficient knowledge of the account planning and creative function/discipline and demonstrated application of knowledge, skills, and abilities towards work products required
• Knowledgeable in qualitative and quantitative research and how to leverage it in strategy development
• A bonus if you have experience with syndicated studies like Experian Simmons
• Knowledgeable in the creative development process and marketing principles
• Bachelor's Degree required, specifically in advertising or communications or marketing
• 7+ years of related account planning or brand/creative strategy experience required, including developing creative briefs or creative strategies
• Experience working with/partnering with creative teams required
• Experience working in an advertising agency or in-house agency required
• Military background/Veteran (self or family) is a plus

The target hiring compensation range for this role is $28.00 to $38.00 an hour. Compensation is based on several factors including, but not limited to education, relevant work experience, relevant certifications, and location.

About Aquent Talent:

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world's biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. More information on our awesome benefits!

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We're about creating an inclusive environment-one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.