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Creative Strategist

Burson
Full-time
On-site
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
🎨 Brand & Creative Marketing

πŸ“Œ Core Information

πŸ”Ή Job Title: Creative Strategist

πŸ”Ή Company: Burson

πŸ”Ή Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

πŸ”Ή Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid (4 days in office)

πŸ”Ή Category: Public Relations and Communications Services

πŸ”Ή Date Posted: April 10, 2025

πŸ”Ή Experience Level: 10+ years

πŸ”Ή Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)

πŸš€ Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

  • Developing creative strategies for integrated campaigns
  • Leading research and data analysis to inform strategies
  • Collaborating with creative and account teams to craft effective briefs
  • Advocating Burson's capabilities to clients and internal stakeholders
  • Managing and inspiring a team of creative strategists

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, creativity, and leadership. The ideal candidate will have extensive agency experience and a proven track record in creative strategy.

πŸ“‹ Key Responsibilities

βœ… Leading and interpreting research, data, and analytics to provide informed trends, insights, and earned-first, reputation-driving value propositions that inspire creative and consulting teams.

βœ… Serving as a true collaborator, crafting creative briefs for integrated campaigns by working closely with the creative and account teams to ensure PR strategy and positioning is right from the start.

βœ… Advocating Burson’s capabilities with new and existing clients; demonstrating how innovative, channel-neutral ideas and experiences, informed by data and strategy, can connect brands with their public better than ever before.

βœ… Establishing strong relationships with internal stakeholders to support the strategic and creative offering.

βœ… Passion, tenacity, and enthusiasm for the Burson brand and its strategic process and ways of working.

ASSUMPTION: The role requires a balance of strategic thinking, creativity, and strong communication skills to effectively collaborate with various teams and stakeholders.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Experience: 8-10 years of agency experience with a proven track record of success leading creative strategy for integrated campaigns within the evolving digital landscape.

Required Skills:

  • Proven leadership skills with the ability to work across multiple industry sectors and teams, both internal and external
  • Ability to understand and interpret research and data analytics to determine key audience insights and develop sound strategies aligned with strategic business objectives
  • Team player able to collaborate effectively with research, client, and creative teams to develop messaging that brings stories to life, connecting successfully with the target audience
  • Superb business development skills; able to present to clients and internal stakeholders with charisma and passion; effectively selling in the importance of creative strategy
  • Management experience with the ability to lead and inspire a team

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience working with global brands
  • Fluency in multiple languages

ASSUMPTION: Given the role's focus on strategy and leadership, candidates should have extensive experience in creative strategy and demonstrate strong leadership and communication skills.

πŸ’° Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry standards for a senior-level role in Toronto, the estimated salary range is CAD 120,000 - CAD 160,000 per year. This range is inclusive of base salary and annual bonus.

Benefits:

  • Professional development opportunities
  • Mentorship programs with industry leaders
  • Vibrant and inclusive company culture fostering collaboration and innovation
  • Packages designed to reward and retain top talent

Working Hours: Full-time, typically 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST, with flexibility for remote work

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and skills.

πŸ“Œ Applicant Insights

πŸ” Company Context

Industry: Burson is a global leader in communications, purpose-built to create value for clients through reputation. They reinvent how reputation creates competitive advantage for their clients, so they can lead today and far into the future.

Company Size: Burson is a mid-sized company with 5,001-10,000 employees globally, providing ample opportunities for collaboration and growth.

Founded: Burson was founded in 1953 and has since grown into a global powerhouse in communications and public relations.

Company Description:

  • Burson is part of WPP (LSE/NYSE: WPP), the creative transformation company
  • They provide earned-first, impact-driving solutions to promote and protect clients’ reputation
  • Burson fosters a dynamic environment where ambitious colleagues come to elevate their skills, expand their networks, and produce the best solutions for today’s leading brands

Company Specialties:

  • Creative communications
  • Public relations
  • Brand strategy

Company Website: bursonglobal.com

ASSUMPTION: Burson's global presence and extensive experience in the communications industry make it an attractive choice for professionals seeking to grow their careers in a dynamic and innovative environment.

πŸ“Š Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior-level role with significant responsibility for creative strategy and team leadership

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Executive Creative Director and works closely with creative, account, and research teams

Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with teams in the office around four days a week

Growth Opportunities:

  • Potential to advance to a leadership role within the creative strategy team
  • Opportunities to work on global campaigns and collaborate with international teams
  • Access to professional development opportunities and mentorship programs

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to develop leadership skills and gain experience working on high-profile campaigns.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Burson's Toronto office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster creativity and innovation

Office Location(s): 150 King Street West, Suite 1800, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Geographic Context:

  • Toronto is a multicultural city with a vibrant arts and entertainment scene
  • The city offers a high quality of life, with numerous parks, museums, and cultural attractions
  • Toronto is a major business hub, with a thriving economy and diverse industries

Work Schedule: Full-time, typically 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST, with flexibility for remote work

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement and modern office environment provide a flexible and collaborative work setting that caters to various work styles and preferences.

πŸ’Ό Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

  • Phone or video screen with the HR team
  • In-depth interview with the Executive Creative Director and a member of the creative strategy team
  • Final interview with the Global Creative Director

Key Assessment Areas:

  • Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Creativity and innovation
  • Leadership and team management skills
  • Communication and presentation skills

Application Tips:

  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your creative strategy experience and achievements
  • Prepare examples of your creative strategy work and be ready to discuss them in detail
  • Research Burson's clients and campaigns to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its offerings

ATS Keywords: Creative Strategy, Data Analytics, Research, Collaboration, Leadership, Business Development, Client Relations, Campaign Strategy, Integrated Campaigns, Audience Insights, Team Management, Communication Skills, Problem Solving, Strategic Thinking, Detail Orientation, Innovation

ASSUMPTION: The interview process is designed to assess the candidate's strategic thinking, creativity, and leadership skills, as well as their cultural fit with the company.

πŸ› οΈ Tools & Technologies

  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Docs, Sheets, Slides)
  • Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
  • Social media listening and analytics tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Sprout Social, Brand24)

ASSUMPTION: The required tools and technologies are standard for the communications industry and can be easily adapted by candidates with relevant experience.

πŸ‘” Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

  • Creativity
  • Collaboration
  • Innovation
  • Integrity
  • Accountability

Work Style:

  • Dynamic and fast-paced
  • Collaborative and team-oriented
  • Innovative and forward-thinking
  • Results-driven and accountable

Self-Assessment Questions:

  • Do you thrive in a dynamic, collaborative environment?
  • Are you comfortable working with diverse teams and stakeholders?
  • Do you have a proven track record of developing creative strategies that drive results?

ASSUMPTION: Burson values creativity, collaboration, and innovation, and seeks candidates who align with these core values and are comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

  • The role requires a high level of strategic thinking and creativity, which can be challenging and demanding
  • Candidates may face competition from other experienced creative strategists
  • The hybrid work arrangement may require adjustments for candidates who prefer a fully remote or on-site work environment
  • The Toronto office may have limited parking and public transportation options, depending on the candidate's location

ASSUMPTION: While the role presents challenges, it also offers significant opportunities for growth and development in a dynamic and innovative environment.

πŸ“ˆ Similar Roles Comparison

  • This role differs from other creative strategy roles in its focus on integrated campaigns and earned-first, impact-driving solutions
  • Burson's global presence and extensive experience in the communications industry set it apart from other agencies
  • This role offers significant growth potential and opportunities to work on high-profile campaigns

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider Burson's unique offerings and global presence when comparing this role to similar positions in the industry.

πŸ“ Sample Projects

  • Developing a creative strategy for a global brand launch campaign
  • Conducting research and analysis to inform a targeted influencer marketing campaign
  • Crafting a creative brief for an integrated campaign to raise awareness for a social cause

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of creative strategy work candidates can expect in this role and provide insight into the types of campaigns they may work on.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

  • Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the creative strategy group?
  • How does Burson support the professional development and growth of its creative strategists?
  • Can you provide examples of successful creative strategy campaigns developed by Burson?
  • How does Burson approach diversity, equity, and inclusion in its creative strategy work?
  • What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of creative strategy campaigns at Burson?

ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, team dynamics, and company culture, as well as Burson's approach to creative strategy and campaign measurement.

πŸ“Œ Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

  • Submit your application through this link: https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/bursonglobal/jobs/4704553007
  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your creative strategy experience and achievements
  • Prepare examples of your creative strategy work and be ready to discuss them in detail
  • Research Burson's clients and campaigns to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its offerings
  • Follow up with the hiring team one week after submitting your application to express your interest in the role

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