Creative Strategy Manager

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Creative Strategy Manager

🔹 Company: Mastercard

🔹 Location: Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland

🔹 Job Type: Full-time

🔹 Category: Marketing & Advertising

🔹 Date Posted: July 15, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing creative strategies that inspire world-class campaigns
• Working cross-functionally with creatives, project managers, and clients
• Conducting market research and audience analysis to uncover key insights
• Writing compelling creative briefs and brand positioning strategies
• Staying ahead of trends in media, culture, and technology

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong blend of analytical and creative thinking, with a focus on driving strategic direction for campaigns and brands.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Conduct market research, audience analysis, and cultural trend spotting to uncover key insights

✅ Write compelling creative briefs that inspire teams and align stakeholders around a strong strategic direction

✅ Develop big-picture brand and campaign strategies across multiple channels

✅ Work closely with copywriters, art directors, and content teams to ensure work is strategically sound and creatively bold

✅ Contribute to the development of brand architecture, messaging frameworks, and tone of voice guidelines

✅ Stay ahead of trends in media, culture, and technology to bring fresh, relevant thinking to client work

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of collaboration and communication, as well as the ability to balance strategic thinking with creative execution.

🎯 Required Qualifications

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

Experience: 4-6 years of experience in a strategy, creative, or brand planning role within an agency environment

Required Skills:

• Exceptional storytelling, writing, and presentation skills
• Strong understanding of brand-building principles and the creative development process
• Analytical mindset with the ability to distill complex information into clear, actionable insights
• Comfortable working across diverse categories and audiences
• Familiarity with tools like Google Analytics, social listening platforms, or brand tracking tools (a plus)

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with global brands
• Fluency in multiple languages

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a proven track record in creative strategy development and a strong portfolio showcasing their work.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The estimated salary range for this role is €50,000 - €70,000 per year, based on industry standards for experience level and location. This is an estimate and the actual salary may vary.

Benefits:

• Health insurance and retirement plans
• Employee discounts on Mastercard products and services
• Opportunities for professional development and growth
• Flexible work arrangements

Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with flexibility for project needs

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

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Mastercard operates in the financial services and technology industries, focusing on digital payments and commerce.

Company Size: Mastercard is a large organization with over 10,000 employees worldwide, providing a diverse and dynamic work environment.

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 200+ countries and territories worldwide
• Supports a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart, and accessible
• Combines technology, innovation, partnerships, and networks to deliver unique products and services

Company Specialties:

• Global digital payments and commerce
• Technology and innovation
• Innovative mobile payment solutions

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

ASSUMPTION: Mastercard's global presence and diverse client base offer unique opportunities for growth and exposure to various industries and markets.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the mid-level of the career ladder, with opportunities for growth and advancement within the organization.

Reporting Structure: The Creative Strategy Manager will report directly to the Head of Creative Strategy and work closely with cross-functional teams, including creatives, project managers, and clients.

Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with the possibility of hybrid or remote work arrangements depending on business needs and individual circumstances.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to a senior or director-level role within the creative strategy team
• Expansion into related fields, such as brand management or marketing strategy
• Opportunities to work on global campaigns and collaborate with international teams

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a clear path for career progression and the chance to work on high-impact projects with global reach.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Mastercard's Warsaw office is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster creativity and innovation.

Office Location(s): 2000 Purchase St, Purchase, NY 10577, US (global headquarters); additional offices in major cities worldwide

Geographic Context:

• Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland, with a population of over 1.8 million
• The city is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and diverse economy
• Warsaw offers a high quality of life, with affordable housing, excellent public transportation, and numerous cultural attractions

Work Schedule: The standard workweek is Monday to Friday, with core hours from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Flexible work arrangements may be available depending on the role and team.

ASSUMPTION: Warsaw provides a dynamic and multicultural work environment, with easy access to international travel and opportunities for professional development.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
• In-person or virtual interview with the creative strategy team
• Final interview with the head of creative strategy or another senior leader

Key Assessment Areas:

• Creativity and strategic thinking
• Communication and presentation skills
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Cultural awareness and adaptability

Application Tips:

• Highlight your strategic mindset and ability to drive creative campaigns
• Include a portfolio showcasing your creative strategy work and its impact on campaigns or brands
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your relevant skills and experiences
• Prepare questions that demonstrate your interest in the role and the company

ATS Keywords: Creative strategy, market research, audience analysis, cultural trend spotting, creative briefing, campaign strategy, brand positioning, innovation, storytelling, writing, presentation skills, analytical mindset, brand-building principles, creative development process, social listening, Google Analytics

ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing your strategic thinking, creativity, and communication skills, as well as your cultural fit with the Mastercard team.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Google Analytics
• Social listening platforms (e.g., Hootsuite, Sprout Social)
• Brand tracking tools (e.g., Brand24, YouGov)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools is preferred but not required, as training will be provided.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Do the right thing
• Stay curious
• Collaborate and win together
• Embrace change

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Adaptable and open to feedback
• Results-driven and proactive
• Innovative and creative

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you embody Mastercard's values in your daily work?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to a significant change, and how did you handle it?
• How do you approach collaboration with diverse teams, and how have you ensured the success of cross-functional projects in the past?

ASSUMPTION: Mastercard values candidates who align with their core values and can thrive in a dynamic, collaborative work environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
• Balancing strategic thinking with creative execution
• Working with diverse teams and stakeholders, each with their own priorities and perspectives
• Keeping up with the latest trends and developments in media, culture, and technology

ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong project management skills, adaptability, and a proactive approach to continuous learning and improvement.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to other creative strategy roles, this position offers a greater focus on global campaigns and international collaboration
• Mastercard's industry-specific context provides unique insights into consumer behavior and market trends
• Career path comparison: This role can lead to senior or director-level positions within the creative strategy team or related fields, such as brand management or marketing strategy

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of global exposure, strategic depth, and creative breadth, making it an attractive opportunity for experienced creative strategists.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a comprehensive creative strategy for a global brand relaunch, including market research, audience segmentation, and campaign planning
• Conducting a cultural trend analysis to inform the creative direction of a regional marketing campaign
• Collaborating with a cross-functional team to create a brand positioning framework for a new product launch, including messaging, tone of voice, and visual identity guidelines

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the range of creative strategy work required for this role, from global brand campaigns to regional marketing initiatives and product launches.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the creative strategy team's approach to working with global brands and international markets?
• How does the creative strategy team collaborate with other departments, such as marketing, product, and technology, to drive business impact?
• What opportunities exist for professional development and growth within the creative strategy team and Mastercard more broadly?
• How does Mastercard support work-life balance for its employees, particularly in roles that require flexibility and adaptability?
• Can you provide an example of a recent creative strategy project that had a significant impact on a Mastercard client or brand?

ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate your interest in the role, the team, and the company, and will help you better understand the work environment 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 relevant skills and experiences, with a focus on creative strategy development and execution
• Prepare a portfolio showcasing your creative strategy work and its impact on campaigns or brands
• 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.