📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director, Brand Strategy
🔹 Company: INNOCEAN USA
🔹 Location: Huntington Beach, California
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid (2 days in-office)
🔹 Category: Advertising Services
🔹 Date Posted: April 22, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Local to Southern California
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading the strategic success of Hyundai's brand and products
- Developing insight-driven strategies and creative briefs
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams and senior leadership
- Uncovering opportunities, solving complex challenges, and ensuring consistent branding
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with diverse teams.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Responsible for the strategic success of Hyundai's brand and products, including EVs, hybrids, and other alt-fuel vehicles
✅ Be the champion of the consumer, representing their needs and preferences in strategy development
✅ Lead with curiosity to uncover untapped insights through studying culture, researching, and analyzing consumer data
✅ Develop powerful, single-minded creative briefs that inspire creative teams and clients
✅ Help build go-to-market plans for new vehicles and brand campaigns
✅ Develop competitor analysis to inform plans and strategies
✅ Be a trusted partner to clients, providing expert insights on the brand, audience, and competitive landscape
✅ Assess the performance of the brand and effectiveness of campaigns via brand health and campaign tracking tools
✅ Analyze market trends and identify new opportunities and challenges
✅ Keep a finger on the pulse of culture, continually bringing new insights, references, and ways of thinking to the organization
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of the automotive industry, consumer behavior, and market trends.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Advertising, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 8+ years of experience in Brand Strategy, preferably in an ad agency or in-house creative strategy environment
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in brand strategy development
- Excellent understanding of the full marketing mix
- Proven thought-leader to agency teams and clients
- Insatiable cultural and consumer curiosity
- Data-driven approach, with experience in designing, commissioning, and analyzing both qualitative and quantitative research
- Great storytelling: Top-level communication, writing, and presentation skills
Preferred Skills:
- Automotive category experience
- Portfolio of brand-building projects
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a strong portfolio and relevant industry experience will be prioritized.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $158,000 - $165,000 per year (dependent upon several factors including client, experience, training, and/or transferable skills)
Benefits:
- 3 PPO Medical Plans through Anthem at low cost
- Free Dental and Vision
- 401k - up to 6% match at .70 cents on the dollar
- Wellness reimbursement program
- Company-paid short- and long-term disability, and basic life
- Generous PTO
- On-site Barista
- Beautiful campus across from the Pacific Ocean
Working Hours: Full-time, hybrid (2 days in-office)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate and may vary based on the factors mentioned.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Advertising Services, specializing in automotive advertising
Company Size: 201-500 employees, providing ample opportunities for growth and collaboration
Founded: 2005, with a rich history and established client base
Company Description:
- Mission-driven, with a focus on exploration, innovation, and intelligence
- Client partners include Hyundai, Genesis, Kia, and other prominent brands
- Encourages a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and continuous learning
Company Specialties:
- Advertising
- CRM
- Experiential
- Event Marketing
- Digital Marketing
- Media
Company Website: http://www.innoceanusa.com
ASSUMPTION: INNOCEAN USA is a well-established agency with a strong reputation in the advertising industry.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior-level role, offering opportunities for growth and leadership
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Senior Vice President, Hyundai Brand Management
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with 2 days in the office and the remaining days working remotely
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to lead and mentor junior strategists
- Opportunities to work on multiple brands and categories
- Possibility to grow into a leadership role within the agency
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site office with a hybrid work arrangement
Office Location(s): Huntington Beach, California
Geographic Context:
- Located in sunny Huntington Beach, California
- Close proximity to the Pacific Ocean
- Access to various amenities and recreational activities
Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible hours and a hybrid work arrangement
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement offers a balance between on-site collaboration and remote flexibility.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with the HR team
- In-depth interview with the Senior Vice President, Hyundai Brand Management
- Final interview with the Executive Creative Director and other key stakeholders
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
- Cultural and consumer curiosity
- Communication and presentation skills
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Industry-specific knowledge and experience
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant industry experience and achievements in your resume
- Tailor your cover letter to demonstrate your understanding of the role and the company's mission
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing your brand-building projects and strategic thinking
- Research the company's clients and industry trends to demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm
ATS Keywords: Brand Strategy, Automotive, Advertising, Consumer Insights, Market Research, Creative Briefs, Campaign Planning, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis
ASSUMPTION: Tailoring your application to the specific role and company will increase your chances of success.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite
- PowerPoint
- Google Workspace
- Social media listening and analytics tools
- Market research platforms (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics)
ASSUMPTION: Proficiency in relevant tools and technologies is essential for success in this role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Exploration: Always looking for new opportunities and ways to grow
- Collaboration: Working together to achieve common goals
- Intelligence: Leveraging data and insights to drive decision-making
- Innovation: Pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo
Work Style:
- Hybrid work arrangement, with a focus on collaboration and teamwork
- Fast-paced and dynamic environment
- Opportunities for growth and professional development
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you stay curious and up-to-date with cultural trends and consumer behavior?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully collaborated with a cross-functional team to achieve a common goal?
- How do you approach problem-solving and strategic thinking in a fast-paced environment?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who align with the company's values and work style will be more successful in this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
- Balancing on-site collaboration and remote work
- Adapting to a dynamic and fast-paced work environment
- Working with diverse teams and stakeholders
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome with strong organizational skills, adaptability, and effective communication.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike in-house roles, this position requires collaboration with multiple clients and agencies
- Automotive industry experience is preferred but not required, as the role focuses on brand strategy rather than product-specific knowledge
- This role offers opportunities to work on multiple brands and categories, providing diverse experience and growth potential
ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique challenges and opportunities compared to similar positions in the industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a brand strategy for a new electric vehicle launch, including consumer research, competitive analysis, and creative brief creation
- Conducting a brand audit and rebranding effort for an established automotive manufacturer
- Creating a go-to-market plan for a new brand entering the competitive automotive landscape
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the strategic and creative aspects of the role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the biggest challenges facing the Hyundai brand, and how can this role address them?
- How does the agency support the growth and development of its employees?
- What opportunities are there for collaboration with other brands and categories within the agency?
- How does the agency measure the success of its brand strategies and campaigns?
- What is the work-life balance like for employees in this role?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and the company.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant industry experience and achievements
- Write a cover letter demonstrating your understanding of the role and the company's mission
- Prepare a portfolio showcasing your brand-building projects and strategic thinking
- Follow up with the HR team one week after submission to inquire about your application status
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
