📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Creative Strategist
🔹 Company: Mastercard
🔹 Location: Besiktas, Istanbul, Turkey
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing & Advertising
🔹 Date Posted: May 12, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and executing brand, creative, and communication strategies for clients
- Managing multiple briefs and projects simultaneously
- Collaborating with creative teams and stakeholders to bring strategies to life
- Conducting market research and analyzing trends to inform strategy
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects effectively.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop and execute brand, creative, and communication strategies for clients that align with brand objectives and data-driven insights
✅ Ensure smooth handover and understanding of creative strategy to creative managers and teams
✅ Support creative managers with smaller client project creative ideation sessions as needed
✅ Participate in creative ideation sessions for larger client projects of strategic importance
✅ Manage multiple briefs and projects at one time, estimating and negotiating timescales with creative strategy managers
✅ Conduct extensive research for each project using primary and secondary data sources to gather market intelligence and analyze the category and consumers
✅ Keep abreast of marketing and in-market trends regarding consumer behaviors, creative, and media trends
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong analytical skills, creativity, and the ability to work well under pressure.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree required; advanced qualifications such as a Master's degree in Marketing, Creative Communications, or MBA highly preferred
Experience: Minimum of 5 years' strategic experience within leading advertising agencies, preferably within global network agencies, currently holding a role such as Strategist, Creative Strategist, Senior Strategist
Required Skills:
- Proven expertise in developing comprehensive brand strategies, campaign planning, and managing full-funnel customer journeys across diverse channels
- Proven experience managing external and internal stakeholders
- Track record of influencing award-winning creative outcomes through strategic guidance
- Strong understanding of consumer behavior, market research, and competitive analysis
- Ability to define client briefs and present concepts back to clients, drawing on research and data
- Strong conceptual thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate ideas effectively
- Skilled at working under pressure
Preferred Skills:
- Proficiency in English; other languages are a plus
- Must be open and available to travel as needed
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a strong background in strategic planning and a proven track record in high-impact, big-budget integrated marketing campaigns.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Salary information not provided. According to industry standards, the average salary for a Creative Strategist with 5-10 years of experience in the advertising industry in Istanbul, Turkey, is approximately ₺150,000 - ₺250,000 per year.
Benefits:
- Competitive benefits package
- Opportunities for professional growth and development
- Global exposure and networking opportunities
Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with flexibility based on project needs
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Mastercard operates in the global financial services and technology industry, focusing on digital payments, commerce, and processing
Company Size: Mastercard is a large, publicly-traded company with over 10,000 employees worldwide. This size offers opportunities for growth, diverse projects, and extensive networking
Founded: Mastercard was founded in 1966 and has since grown into a global leader in its industry
Company Description:
- Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in over 200 countries and territories worldwide
- It supports a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart, and accessible
- Mastercard's technology and innovation, partnerships, and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services
Company Specialties:
- Global digital payments and commerce
- Technology and innovative mobile payment solutions
- Processing
Company Website: http://www.mastercard.com
ASSUMPTION: Mastercard's large size and global presence offer numerous opportunities for career growth and development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the mid-level of the marketing and advertising career path, with opportunities for growth and advancement
Reporting Structure: The Creative Strategist will report to the Creative Strategy Manager and work closely with creative teams, stakeholders, and clients
Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with the possibility of occasional travel for client meetings or projects
Growth Opportunities:
- Advancement to a Senior Creative Strategist or Creative Strategy Manager role
- Expansion into other areas of the marketing or advertising field
- Opportunities to work on high-profile, global projects
ASSUMPTION: This role offers strong potential for career growth and development within the marketing and advertising industry.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Mastercard's Istanbul office is a modern, collaborative workspace with a professional yet casual atmosphere
Office Location(s): Besiktas, Istanbul, Turkey
Geographic Context:
- Istanbul is a vibrant, multicultural city with a rich history and diverse cultural scene
- The Besiktas district is known for its bustling commercial activity, with numerous shops, restaurants, and cafes
- Istanbul offers a high quality of life, with excellent educational, healthcare, and entertainment options
Work Schedule: The work schedule is typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with flexibility based on project needs
ASSUMPTION: The work environment at Mastercard's Istanbul office is dynamic, collaborative, and focused on driving innovation and results.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-person or video interview with the creative strategy team
- Final interview with the creative strategy director
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Mastercard's values
- Portfolio and case study presentation (if applicable)
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your strategic experience and achievements
- Prepare a portfolio or case studies showcasing your strategic thinking and creative problem-solving skills
- Research Mastercard's company culture and values to demonstrate your cultural fit
ATS Keywords: Creative Strategy, Brand Strategy, Campaign Planning, Consumer Behavior, Market Research, Stakeholder Engagement, Presentation Skills, Project Management, Integrated Marketing, Digital Marketing, Trend Analysis, Conceptual Thinking
ASSUMPTION: The interview process at Mastercard is designed to assess the candidate's strategic thinking, communication skills, and cultural fit.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, JIRA)
- Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the projects and clients the candidate works with.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Doing the right thing
- Staying true to our roots
- Innovating in every aspect of our business
- Collaborating and delivering excellence
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and focused on delivering excellence
- Adaptable and open to change
- Innovative and creative
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Mastercard's core values, and how have you demonstrated these values in your previous roles?
- How do you approach working in a collaborative, team-oriented environment, and how have you contributed to successful team projects in the past?
- How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and adapt your strategies to reflect these changes?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should demonstrate a strong cultural fit with Mastercard's values and work style to be successful in this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Working with diverse stakeholders and clients, each with their own unique needs and expectations
- Keeping up with the latest market trends and consumer behaviors
- Adapting to changes in the industry and market landscape
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome through strong project management skills, effective communication, and a willingness to adapt and learn.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role differs from other strategic roles in the advertising industry in its focus on creative strategy and its integration with creative teams and stakeholders
- Industry-specific context: The advertising industry in Turkey is competitive and dynamic, with a strong focus on digital and innovative marketing solutions
- Career path comparison: This role offers a clear path for career progression within the marketing and advertising industry, with opportunities for advancement to senior roles and beyond
ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities for growth and development within the marketing and advertising industry, with a strong focus on creative strategy and collaboration.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive brand strategy for a new product launch, including market research, consumer analysis, and competitive landscape assessment
- Creating a targeted marketing campaign for an existing client, focusing on a specific customer segment or market niche
- Conducting a trend analysis and developing strategic recommendations for a client looking to expand into new markets
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of strategic challenges and opportunities that a Creative Strategist at Mastercard might face.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the overall marketing strategy for Mastercard's clients?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does Mastercard support the professional development and growth of its creative strategists?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working with diverse stakeholders and clients, and how can I best prepare for these challenges?
- How does Mastercard foster a culture of innovation and creativity within its teams?
ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate the candidate's interest in the role, the company, and its culture, while also providing valuable insights into the position's requirements and expectations.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your strategic experience and achievements, using relevant keywords such as "Creative Strategy," "Brand Strategy," "Campaign Planning," and "Consumer Behavior"
- Prepare a portfolio or case studies showcasing your strategic thinking and creative problem-solving skills, focusing on projects that demonstrate your ability to develop and execute successful marketing campaigns
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
