Creative Strategist

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Creative Strategist

🔹 Company: Elmwood Brand Consultancy

🔹 Location: Singapore

🔹 Job Type: Hybrid

🔹 Category: Design Services

🔹 Date Posted: April 15, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (Remote/On-site)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing strategic frameworks for projects
• Delivering high-quality proposals and presentations
• Facilitating client workshops and internal brainstorms
• Building strong client relationships to drive business impact
• Supporting new business pitches and initiatives

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset and excellent communication skills to effectively work with clients and the creative team.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Provide a clear strategic framework for projects

✅ Deliver quality proposals and insightful, considered presentations in response to client briefs

✅ Facilitate client workshops and internal brainstorms to effectively arrive at inspirational ideas and solutions

✅ Challenge and interrogate client briefs, analytically and imaginatively to ensure a clear, comprehensive, inspirational project framing internally and externally

✅ Help bridge conceptual brand ideas to actionable design outputs, working with the project team to ensure work exceeds expectations

✅ Identify trends, inspirations, and patterns from other categories to inspire the creative team

✅ Help the creative team make audits more impactful by working with them to develop a clear POV

✅ Create and maintain strong relationships with senior clients to generate new opportunities

✅ Continuously add value to client relationships through strategic insight and understanding of the wider business and marketing issues

✅ Support in prioritizing and filtering new opportunities, and undertake new business pitches/initiatives to drive conversion

✅ Regularly update Consumer Brands Strategy playbooks to keep them up to date and aligned with clients’ needs

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a proactive approach to staying informed about industry trends and client needs to provide valuable insights and strategic direction.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field

Experience: 8+ years in a design agency environment or facilitating design output client-side

Required Skills:

• Excellent communication skills
• Strategic imagination
• Analytical and imaginative thinking
• Ability to work in genuine partnership with colleagues and clients
• Positive mindset
• Knowledge of personal care, health care, beauty, oral care, and alcohol categories

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with global brands
• Fluency in multiple languages

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in consumer packaged goods (CPG) or relevant industries may have an advantage in this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: SGD 120,000 - 160,000 per annum (Estimated, based on industry standards for a senior role in Singapore)

Benefits:

• Group Health Insurance
• Group Personal Accident Insurance
• Curated Learning & Development opportunities
• Agency Retreats
• Annual festivities, along with various social events throughout the year
• Fun studio environment working alongside great and talented individuals
• Recharge Friday every two weeks

Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with flexible hybrid work arrangement

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a senior role in Singapore. Actual compensation may vary based on experience and performance.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Elmwood Brand Consultancy operates in the design services industry, specializing in brand strategy, design, and marketing for global clients.

Company Size: Elmwood has 51-200 employees globally, with a presence in London, New York, Singapore, and Shanghai. This size allows for a collaborative work environment and opportunities for growth.

Founded: Elmwood was founded in 1977 and has since grown into a globally recognized design agency.

Company Description:

• Elmwood is a global brand design consultancy working locally in London, New York, Singapore, and Shanghai.
• The company has over 40 years of experience working with prestigious clients such as Unilever, Haleon, Kimberly-Clark, Heineken, Danone, and Mars.
• Elmwood believes that tension is at the heart of powerful brands and harnesses its energy to create transformative design.

Company Specialties:

• Graphic packaging design
• Corporate communications
• Web design
• Naming
• Copywriting
• Brand strategy
• Brand architecture
• Marketing
• Brand identity
• Corporate identity
• Brand activation
• Brand experience
• Communications design
• Brand positioning
• Marketing innovation
• Digital marketing
• Digital design
• Animation
• Brand films
• Design
• Campaigns
• New product/service launch

Company Website: elmwood.com

ASSUMPTION: Elmwood's global presence and extensive client list indicate a strong and stable company with opportunities for career growth and development.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Head of Strategy and works closely with the Executive Creative Director and brand/insight specialists within the team.

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (Remote/On-site) with a flexible work schedule, including 'Recharge Friday' every two weeks.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to work on global brands and gain international experience
• Opportunities to collaborate with diverse teams and learn from industry experts
• Possibility to advance to a leadership or management role within the agency

ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the design and strategy fields.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid (Remote/On-site) with offices in Singapore, London, New York, and Shanghai

Office Location(s): 150 Beach Road, #01-02 Gateway West, Singapore 189720

Geographic Context:

• Singapore is a multicultural city-state and island country in Southeast Asia, known for its business-friendly environment and vibrant economy.
• The office is located in the Central Business District (CBD), offering easy access to public transportation, shopping, and dining options.
• The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility and a better work-life balance.

Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with flexible hours and 'Recharge Friday' every two weeks

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement and central office location provide a good balance between work and personal life, with opportunities for professional growth in a multicultural environment.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening
• In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager
• Final interview with the team
• Reference check

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Communication and presentation skills
• Client management and relationship-building skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with Elmwood's values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
• Prepare examples of strategic frameworks, proposals, and presentations you've developed in previous roles
• Research Elmwood's clients and industry to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its work

ATS Keywords: Strategic imagination, communication skills, client relationship building, business development, creative partnership, trend analysis, workshop facilitation, proposal development, insight generation, positive mindset, collaboration, brand knowledge, design knowledge, analytical thinking, inspirational delivery, problem-solving

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, and candidates should focus on demonstrating their strategic thinking, communication skills, and relevant industry experience.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
• Presentation software (e.g., Keynote, Prezi)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with industry-standard software and tools is essential for this role, as the candidate will be working with various teams and clients.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Creativity
• Collaboration
• Curiosity
• Courage
• Craftsmanship

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Adaptable and open to new ideas
• Results-driven and proactive
• Committed to continuous learning and development

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you demonstrate creativity in your approach to strategic challenges?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully collaborated with a diverse team to achieve a common goal?
• How do you stay curious and up-to-date with industry trends and developments?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should assess their fit with Elmwood's values and work style to ensure a successful and fulfilling career at the company.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and clients simultaneously, requiring strong organizational skills and time management
• Working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment that may require flexibility and adaptability
• Developing strategic frameworks and presentations that resonate with diverse audiences, including clients and internal teams
• Balancing client needs with agency priorities and resources

ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong communication skills, strategic thinking, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Unlike other strategy roles, this position focuses on creative strategy and requires a strong understanding of design and marketing principles
• Elmwood's global presence and diverse client base offer unique opportunities for career growth and development
• This role may have a more creative and collaborative focus than other strategy positions, requiring strong communication and presentation skills

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider their fit with Elmwood's creative and collaborative work environment and the unique opportunities offered by the company's global presence and diverse client base.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a strategic framework for a global brand re-launch, including market research, competitive analysis, and consumer insights
• Creating a comprehensive brand positioning and activation strategy for a new product launch, including messaging, visual identity, and launch plan
• Facilitating a client workshop to define brand architecture and portfolio strategy, resulting in a clear and actionable roadmap for brand growth

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the strategic and creative nature of the role, as well as the need for strong communication and presentation skills.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does this role contribute to Elmwood's overall strategy and growth?
• What are the most significant challenges facing the team or clients in the near future, and how can this role address them?
• How does Elmwood support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does Elmwood measure the success of this role, and what key performance indicators (KPIs) will be used to track progress?

ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate a proactive approach to understanding the role, the team, and the company's priorities and expectations.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through the Workable job posting
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your strategic thinking, communication skills, and relevant industry experience
• Prepare examples of strategic frameworks, proposals, and presentations you've developed in previous roles
• Research Elmwood's clients and industry to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its work
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications

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