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 7, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 4-6 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Translating research, trends, and brand goals into compelling creative strategies
• Working cross-functionally with creatives, project managers, and clients
• Developing original ideas grounded in cultural relevance, consumer behavior, and business objectives
• Contributing to brand architecture, messaging frameworks, and tone of voice guidelines
• Staying ahead of trends in media, culture, and technology

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong blend of strategic thinking, creativity, and analytical skills. The ideal candidate will have experience in a strategy, creative, or brand planning role within an agency environment.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Insight Development: Conduct market research, audience analysis, and cultural trend spotting to uncover key insights.

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

✅ Campaign Strategy: Develop big-picture brand and campaign strategies across multiple channels (digital, social, OOH, experiential, etc.).

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

✅ Brand Positioning: Contribute to the development of brand architecture, messaging frameworks, and tone of voice guidelines.

✅ Innovation & Trends: Stay ahead of trends in media, culture, and technology to bring fresh, relevant thinking to client work.

ASSUMPTION: The role involves a mix of strategic planning, creative problem-solving, and cross-functional collaboration. Strong communication and presentation skills are essential for success in this position.

🎯 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 (good to have)

Preferred Skills:

• Fluency in Polish and English
• Experience working with global brands
• Knowledge of the payments industry

ASSUMPTION: While a degree in a related field is preferred, relevant experience and a strong portfolio can also be considered. Familiarity with the payments industry is a plus but not required.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The salary range for this role is estimated to be between PLN 15,000 - 20,000 gross per month, depending on experience and qualifications. This estimate is based on industry standards for similar roles in Warsaw.

Benefits:

• Competitive benefits package
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Global exposure and collaboration
• Dynamic and inclusive work environment

Working Hours: Full-time position with standard working hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM). Occasional flexibility may be required to accommodate project deadlines or client needs.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate and may vary based on individual qualifications, experience, and market conditions. The benefits package is competitive and designed to attract and retain top talent in the industry.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Mastercard operates in the global digital payments and technology industry, with a focus on providing secure, simple, smart, and accessible transactions.

Company Size: Mastercard is a large, global organization with over 10,000 employees worldwide. This size offers opportunities for career growth, diverse experiences, and global collaboration.

Founded: Mastercard was founded in 1966 and has since grown into a leading global payments and technology company.

Company Description:

• Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in over 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
• Processing

Company Website: www.mastercard.com

ASSUMPTION: Mastercard's global presence and diverse portfolio of products and services offer exciting opportunities for creative professionals looking to make an impact in the payments industry.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the mid-level career stage, requiring several years of relevant experience in a strategy, creative, or brand planning role.

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 is an on-site position based in Warsaw, Poland. Occasional remote work may be possible, depending on business needs and individual circumstances.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to work on global campaigns and collaborate with international teams
• Opportunities to develop skills in brand strategy, campaign planning, and creative briefing
• Possibility to advance to senior roles within the creative strategy team or related functions

ASSUMPTION: The role offers opportunities for professional growth and development, with exposure to global campaigns and collaboration with international teams.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

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

Office Location(s): Plac Europejski 1, Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland

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 culinary scene
• Warsaw offers a high quality of life, with affordable housing, excellent public transportation, and numerous parks and green spaces

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Occasional flexibility may be required to accommodate project deadlines or client needs.

ASSUMPTION: Warsaw offers a dynamic and vibrant work environment, with a rich cultural scene and a high quality of life. The office is designed to foster creativity and collaboration, with modern amenities and a supportive work environment.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screen with the HR team
• In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
• Final interview with senior leadership

Key Assessment Areas:

• Creativity and strategic thinking
• Communication and presentation skills
• Analytical skills and problem-solving abilities
• Cultural fit and alignment with Mastercard's values

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare a portfolio or case studies demonstrating your creative strategy and campaign planning skills
• Research Mastercard's brand and values to ensure a strong cultural fit
• Practice presenting your ideas clearly and concisely, using data and insights to support your strategic thinking

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, Consumer Behavior, Collaboration, Curiosity

ASSUMPTION: The application process is designed to assess candidates' strategic thinking, creativity, and cultural fit. Strong communication skills and a well-prepared portfolio or case studies will be essential for success in the interview process.

🛠️ 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)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools is preferred but not required. Mastercard provides training and support to help employees develop the skills they need to succeed in their roles.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Doing the right thing
• Stay connected
• Partner well
• Innovate always
• Win together

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Data-driven and analytical
• Adaptable and open to feedback
• Creative and innovative

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you align with Mastercard's values, and how have you demonstrated these values in your previous roles?
• How do you approach working collaboratively with cross-functional teams, and how have you handled conflicts or differing opinions in the past?
• How do you stay up-to-date with trends in media, culture, and technology, and how have you applied this knowledge to your work in the past?

ASSUMPTION: Mastercard values a diverse and inclusive work environment, with a strong focus on collaboration, innovation, and doing the right thing. Candidates who can demonstrate a strong cultural fit and alignment with the company's values will be well-positioned for success in this role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with tight deadlines and multiple stakeholders
• Managing competing priorities and balancing multiple projects simultaneously
• Navigating a large, global organization with complex structures and processes
• Adapting to changes in the payments industry and staying ahead of emerging trends

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

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is similar to a Senior Strategist or Creative Strategist position in an advertising agency, with a focus on developing creative strategies and campaign plans for clients
• Unlike agency roles, this position is focused on internal brand strategy and campaign development for Mastercard's own products and services
• Career progression in this role may lead to senior roles within the creative strategy team or related functions, such as Brand Manager or Marketing Director

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to work on global campaigns and collaborate with international teams, with the potential for significant career growth and development within the organization.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a comprehensive brand strategy for a new Mastercard product or service, including positioning, messaging, and tone of voice guidelines
• Creating a creative brief for a global advertising campaign, outlining the strategic direction, target audience, key insights, and creative objectives
• Conducting market research and audience analysis to inform the development of a targeted marketing campaign for a specific region or customer segment

ASSUMPTION: These projects demonstrate the range of responsibilities and opportunities available in this role, from strategic planning and brand development to creative briefing and campaign planning.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does this role fit into the overall creative strategy team and organization, and what are the key priorities for the first 90 days?
• What are the most challenging aspects of working on global campaigns, and how does Mastercard support its employees in overcoming these challenges?
• How does Mastercard foster a culture of innovation and continuous learning, and what opportunities are there for professional growth and development in this role?
• What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for success in this role, and how will my performance be measured and evaluated?
• How does Mastercard support work-life balance, and what resources are available to help employees manage their personal and professional responsibilities?

ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to provide insight into the role's priorities, challenges, and opportunities for growth and development. They also demonstrate your interest in and understanding of the position and the organization.

📌 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 experience and skills for this role
• Prepare a portfolio or case studies demonstrating your creative strategy and campaign planning skills
• Research Mastercard's brand and values to ensure a strong cultural fit
• Practice presenting your ideas clearly and concisely, using data and insights to support your strategic thinking
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about next steps

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