Brand Strategist Director

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Brand Strategist Director

🔹 Company: Salesforce

🔹 Location: San Francisco, California, United States

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Marketing & Communications

🔹 Date Posted: May 14, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Guiding the evolution of Salesforce’s corporate brand strategy
• Driving brand strategy including brand positioning, brand architecture, and M&A brand strategy
• Partnering with various teams to ensure brand strategy is integrated across the organization
• Evangelizing brand internally and guiding others on its strategic impact
• Balancing ambitious vision with downstream implications of change

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to influence at all levels, including executive and C-level audiences.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Guide the evolution of Salesforce’s corporate brand strategy while maintaining its foundation

✅ Own brand strategy including brand positioning, brand architecture, and M&A brand strategy

✅ Develop brand messaging strategy and hierarchy to connect assets across the funnel, and collaborate with partners to roll it out across the organization

✅ Balance ambitious vision in the age of agentic AI with downstream implications of change

✅ Partner with Brand Insights to design research aligned to strategic objectives and brand KPIs, and use data to inform strategic direction of the brand and guide the Global Brand & Creative team as a whole

✅ Partner with Creative Strategy to ensure high-profile campaigns and marketing activities are strategically sound and creatively compelling

✅ Partner with Brand Management to build enablement resources and ensure operational excellence and consistency — that the desired brand strategy comes to life across key touchpoints and the holistic brand experience

✅ Partner with Brand Creative to refine verbal and visual identity

✅ Drive brand integration across functions including Campaigns, Product Marketing, Events, and Operating Units

✅ Be a brand advocate within Marketing and across Salesforce’s global organization

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of collaboration and influencing, requiring strong communication and relationship-building skills.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree required, MBA preferred

Experience: 12+ years of experience in brand strategy, with at least 8 years in B2B tech

Required Skills:

• Proven success in defining and delivering on brand KPIs and translating brand goals into measurable business impact
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Ability to evangelize brand internally and guide others on its strategic impact
• Strong creative instincts rooted in audience understanding
• Skilled at influencing at all levels, including executive and C-level audiences

Preferred Skills:

• Experience advancing cross-functional initiatives with stakeholders across functions, geographies, and operating units in fast-paced, high-performance environments
• Demonstrated leadership in developing brand strategists and teams

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to influence at all levels, including executive and C-level audiences.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $193,800 to $281,100 per year (based on location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience)

Benefits:

• Stock Options
• Equity

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a role of this level and experience in the San Francisco Bay Area.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Salesforce is a leading global provider of customer relationship management (CRM) software and enterprise applications, operating in the software development industry.

Company Size: Salesforce has 10,001+ employees, making it an enterprise-level company. This means there are many opportunities for career growth and development, but also a larger, more complex organizational structure.

Founded: Salesforce was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Company Description:

• Salesforce is a customer company that inspires the future of business with AI+ Data + CRM.
• Their mission is to empower companies to connect with their customers in a whole new way.
• Salesforce is committed to leading with their core values, helping companies across every industry blaze new trails and connect with customers in a whole new way.

Company Specialties:

• Enterprise Cloud Computing and Customer Relationship Management

Company Website: http://www.salesforce.com

ASSUMPTION: Salesforce is a well-established company with a strong brand and a significant presence in the tech industry. They are known for their innovative products and commitment to customer success.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the director level, indicating a high degree of responsibility and strategic decision-making.

Reporting Structure: The Director, Brand Strategy will report to the Head of Brand Strategy & Management and work in close collaboration with leadership to identify key brand needs, support wider business objectives, and align stakeholders across Global Brand & Creative, Product Marketing, Digital, Events, Sales, Corporate Strategy, and beyond.

Work Arrangement: This role is remote-friendly, with the option to work from home or in the office.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to grow into a VP or SVP role within the brand strategy function
• Opportunities to lead high-profile projects and initiatives that drive brand strategy across the organization
• Chance to work with and learn from experienced brand strategists and leaders within the Global Brand & Creative team

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to make a real impact on the brand strategy of a major global company.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Salesforce has a hybrid work environment, with employees having the option to work from home or in the office.

Office Location(s): San Francisco, California

Geographic Context:

• San Francisco is a major tech hub with a high cost of living and a competitive job market.
• The city is known for its diverse culture, vibrant neighborhoods, and scenic beauty.
• San Francisco offers a wide range of dining, entertainment, and outdoor recreation options.

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexibility for remote work arrangements.

ASSUMPTION: Working in San Francisco offers a unique blend of urban living, cultural diversity, and natural beauty, with a high cost of living and a competitive job market.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screen with a recruiter
• Phone or video interview with the hiring manager
• On-site or virtual interview with the team
• Final interview with senior leadership
• Background check and offer extension

Key Assessment Areas:

• Brand strategy development and execution
• Communication and presentation skills
• Collaboration and influencing skills
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving
• Alignment with Salesforce's core values and company culture

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your brand strategy experience and skills
• Prepare examples of brand strategy projects you've led or contributed to, and be ready to discuss the outcomes and impact
• Research Salesforce's brand and company culture to demonstrate your understanding and alignment
• Practice your presentation skills and be ready to present your brand strategy vision for Salesforce

ATS Keywords: Brand Strategy, B2B Tech, Change Management, Brand Positioning, Brand Messaging, Data Analysis, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Creative Strategy, Brand Management, Leadership, Communication, Research, Customer Focus, Strategic Thinking, Influencing, Team Development

ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's brand strategy skills, communication and presentation skills, and cultural fit with Salesforce.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Brand strategy software (e.g., Brand24, Brandfolder, Brand.ai)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
• Data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Google Analytics, Tableau)

ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for brand strategy professionals and can be learned or improved upon with experience.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Customer Success
• Innovation
• Trust
• Equality
• Transparency

Work Style:

• Collaborative and cross-functional
• Fast-paced and high-performing
• Data-driven and strategic
• Creative and innovative

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you align with Salesforce's customer-centric approach to brand strategy?
• How do you balance ambitious vision with practical execution in a fast-paced environment?
• How do you approach cross-functional collaboration and influencing in a large organization?

ASSUMPTION: Salesforce values candidates who are customer-focused, innovative, trustworthy, and committed to equality and transparency. They also value candidates who can thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced, and data-driven work environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing brand strategy for a large, global organization with multiple product lines and operating units
• Balancing ambitious brand vision with practical execution and stakeholder alignment
• Working in a fast-paced, high-performing environment with tight deadlines and competing priorities
• Adapting to changes in the market, technology, and business strategy

ASSUMPTION: This role presents significant challenges, but also offers the opportunity to make a real impact on the brand strategy of a major global company.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on brand strategy for a large, global tech company with a complex portfolio of products and services
• Compared to other brand strategy roles, this position offers a higher level of responsibility, strategic decision-making, and growth potential
• Career path for this role could lead to VP or SVP-level positions within the brand strategy function or other related fields

ASSUMPTION: This role is distinct from other brand strategy positions due to its focus on a large, global tech company with a complex portfolio of products and services, offering significant growth potential and strategic decision-making opportunities.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a comprehensive brand strategy for a new product line or acquisition
• Conducting market research and competitive analysis to inform brand positioning and messaging
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to launch a major brand campaign or rebranding initiative
• Creating brand guidelines and enablement resources to ensure consistent brand execution across the organization

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of brand strategy responsibilities and the level of collaboration required for this role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does the Global Brand & Creative team collaborate with other marketing functions and the broader organization to drive brand strategy?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does the company support the professional development and growth of brand strategists?
• What are the biggest challenges facing the brand strategy function, and how can this role help address them?
• How does the company measure the success of its brand strategy, and how can this role contribute to improving those metrics?

ASSUMPTION: These key questions help candidates understand the role's priorities, challenges, and opportunities for growth, as well as the company's approach to brand strategy and professional development.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your brand strategy experience and skills
• Prepare examples of brand strategy projects you've led or contributed to, and be ready to discuss the outcomes and impact
• Research Salesforce's brand and company culture to demonstrate your understanding and alignment
• Practice your presentation skills and be ready to present your brand strategy vision for Salesforce
• Follow up with the recruiter or hiring manager after your interview to express your interest in the role and ask any remaining questions

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.