Senior Creative Strategist

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Senior Creative Strategist

🔹 Company: DEPT®

🔹 Location: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Hybrid

🔹 Job Type: Full-time

🔹 Category: Creative & Media

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-05-23

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Developing human-first creative strategies that don't waste people's time
• Uncovering human needs and translating them into solvable problems
• Collaborating with creatives to enhance the work and remove barriers to creativity
• Understanding clients' businesses and setting clear objectives for the work
• Staying informed about culture and ensuring the work plays a meaningful role in it

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to work autonomously while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Deeply understand human beings and identify real problems to solve for them, finding humanity in data

✅ Make the creative work more creative and remove barriers to creativity by being deeply involved in the work

✅ Understand clients' businesses and set clear objectives for the work, ensuring it plays a meaningful role in their success

✅ Get into culture and develop strategy informed by it, so that the work can inform culture in turn

✅ Support the strategy team, play well with other disciplines, and be comfortable in workshops and writing powerful briefs

ASSUMPION: The role may also involve conducting research, designing research, and supporting other strategists as needed.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience

Experience: Proven experience (5-10 years) in a similar role, with a strong portfolio demonstrating strategic thinking and creative problem-solving

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to understand and interpret data to inform strategy
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Strong creative problem-solving skills
• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
• Fluency in English

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with global brands
• Familiarity with industry-standard tools and platforms
• Bilingual or multilingual proficiency

ASSUMPION: Candidates with a diverse background and unique perspectives are encouraged to apply, as DEPT® values diversity, equity, and inclusion.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €50,000 - €70,000 per year (based on experience and location)

Benefits:

• Flexible work arrangements (remote/hybrid)
• Health and wellness benefits (bootcamp, yoga, mindfulness sessions, mental health services)
• Fringe benefits (OV-bikes, NS Business Card, etc.)
• Training and development opportunities
• Global annual DEPT® Cares Month

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexible hours and the option to work from home or the office

ASSUMPION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels in the Netherlands.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Advertising Services

Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees (Global)

Founded: 2015 (as a merger of several agencies)

Company Description:

• DEPT® is a pioneering technology and marketing services company that creates end-to-end digital experiences for global brands
• The company offers a wide range of services, including creative and media, data and intelligence, technology, and brand strategy
• DEPT® is committed to making a positive impact on the planet and is Climate Neutral and B Corporation certified

Company Specialties:

• Digital Craftmanship
• Campaigns
• Social
• Data Driven Marketing
• B2B Marketing
• Digital Marketing
• Creativity
• Technology
• Strategy
• Brand
• Advertising
• Design
• Data
• Intelligence
• Organisation
• UX
• AI

Company Website: www.deptagency.com

ASSUMPTION: DEPT® is a global agency with a strong focus on technology and data-driven marketing, offering a wide range of services to its clients.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior (5-10 years of experience)

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Creative & Media Director or a similar role

Work Arrangement: Hybrid (2-3 days per week in the office, with the rest of the time working remotely)

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to lead and mentor junior strategists
• Opportunities to work on global accounts and gain international experience
• Possibility to specialize in specific areas of interest, such as data-driven marketing or AI

ASSUMPION: DEPT® offers a dynamic and challenging work environment with ample opportunities for growth and development.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern, collaborative offices in Amsterdam and Rotterdam

Office Location(s): Generaal Vetterstraat 66, Amsterdam, North-Holland 1059 BW, NL and Delftseplein 27N, 13th floor, Rotterdam, South Holland 3013AA, NL

Geographic Context:

• Amsterdam and Rotterdam are major cities in the Netherlands, offering a vibrant cultural scene, international atmosphere, and excellent public transportation
• The Netherlands is known for its high quality of life, excellent education, and healthcare systems
• The country is also home to a thriving tech industry and a strong focus on innovation and sustainability

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexible hours and the option to work from home or the office

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for a good work-life balance, with the option to work from home or the office as needed.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening
• Phone or video call with the HR department
• In-depth interview with the hiring manager and/or team members
• Case study or portfolio presentation (if applicable)
• Final interview with the Creative & Media Director or a similar role

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills
• Communication and presentation skills
• Cultural awareness and understanding of the industry
• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively
• Creativity and innovation

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and industry-specific skills
• Prepare a portfolio or case study demonstrating your strategic approach to creative challenges
• Research DEPT®'s clients, culture, and values to show your understanding and enthusiasm for the role
• Practice your presentation skills and be ready to discuss your approach to strategy and creativity

ATS Keywords: Creative Strategy, Human Understanding, Cultural Awareness, Research Skills, Collaboration, Communication, Problem Solving, Leadership, Empathy, Imagination, Autonomy, Debate Skills, Craftsmanship, Brief Writing

ASSUMPTION: DEPT® uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage job applications, so including relevant keywords in your resume can help your application stand out.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs)
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• Data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI)
• Project management tools (Asana, Jira, Trello)
• Marketing automation platforms (HubSpot, Marketo, Pardot)
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems (Salesforce, HubSpot CRM)

ASSUMPTION: DEPT® uses a variety of tools and technologies to support its work, and candidates should be comfortable learning and using new tools as needed.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Pioneering: Always leaning forward, thinking of what we can create tomorrow that does not exist today
• Boutique: Big enough to cope, small enough to care, with the speed, agility, flexibility, and personal relationships of a boutique agency
• Inclusive: Committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with a global team of 4,000+ digital specialists across 30+ locations on 5 continents

Work Style:

• Collaborative: Working closely with cross-functional teams to deliver end-to-end digital experiences
• Agile: Adapting to change and embracing a test-and-learn approach to problem-solving
• Data-driven: Using data and insights to inform strategy and creative decision-making
• Innovative: Continuously exploring new technologies, trends, and approaches to stay ahead in the industry

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you align with DEPT®'s value of being pioneering, and what specific examples can you provide from your past experiences?
• How do you approach working collaboratively with cross-functional teams, and can you share an example of a successful project where you worked closely with others?
• How do you stay informed about industry trends and new technologies, and how do you incorporate this knowledge into your work?

ASSUMPTION: DEPT® values candidates who are passionate about their work, curious, and committed to continuous learning and growth.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with tight deadlines and multiple projects
• Managing stakeholders with varying expectations and priorities
• Balancing strategic thinking with hands-on creative work
• Keeping up with industry trends and new technologies
• Working effectively in a hybrid or remote work environment

ASSUMPTION: DEPT® offers a challenging and dynamic work environment that requires strong time management, prioritization, and communication skills.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to traditional advertising agencies, DEPT® offers a more integrated, data-driven approach to creative strategy
• Unlike boutique agencies, DEPT® has the scale and resources to work with global brands and deliver end-to-end digital experiences
• Compared to in-house marketing teams, DEPT® offers specialized expertise and a fresh perspective on clients' businesses

ASSUMPION: DEPT®'s unique combination of size, expertise, and approach makes it well-suited for clients seeking a strategic, data-driven, and creative approach to marketing and advertising.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a global campaign for a major brand, including market research, strategy, and creative concept development
• Creating a data-driven marketing strategy for a B2B company, including customer segmentation, targeting, and messaging
• Designing a brand identity and visual language for a startup, including logo design, color palette, and style guide

ASSUMPION: DEPT® works with clients across a wide range of industries and project types, offering diverse opportunities for strategists to gain experience and grow.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does DEPT® approach working with global brands, and what specific strategies have been successful in the past?
• Can you describe the team structure and dynamics of the Creative & Media team, and how does the role fit into that structure?
• How does DEPT® support the professional development and growth of its strategists?
• What are the biggest challenges facing the team or the industry, and how can this role help address them?
• How does DEPT® balance the need for strategic thinking with the need for hands-on creative work?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, insightful questions demonstrates your interest in the role and helps you better understand the company and team dynamics.

📌 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 thinking, creative problem-solving, and industry-specific skills
• Prepare a portfolio or case study demonstrating your strategic approach to creative challenges
• Research DEPT®'s clients, culture, and values to show your understanding and enthusiasm for the role
• Practice your presentation skills and be ready to discuss your approach to strategy and creativity
• Follow up with the hiring manager or HR department one week after your final interview 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.