Job Description

Talent Scout is recruiting an experienced Director of Strategic Brand Research & Planning for our top B2C agency client in Pittsburgh, PA. This role would work best with a qualified candidate who lives near Pittsburgh or can relocate nearby as occasional in-person meetings will be required.

The Director is responsible for leading the development of brand strategy for agency clients and the identification of consumer, brand and competitive insights that inspire compelling brand stories. This leader is essential in the development of well-conceived strategies and tactical ideas for clients, helping to drive unique creative outcomes.

The ideal candidate will have a foundation in quantitative and qualitative research methods, including experience with brand trackers, segmentation, focus groups, and concept testing. You will be skilled at identifying effective research methodologies to gain insights and convert those insights into inspiring creative briefs. You will also collaborate with key functional groups within the agency to develop smart strategies that extend across the consumer experience including social, digital, packaging, paid media and other communications touch points.

You will be an important contributor to agency thought leadership. You will be a key mentor to agency staff and a contributor to agency culture. And you will play a central role in developing and presenting strategy as part of the agency’s business development efforts and ongoing client engagements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Inspire creative work that shines and breaks through...smarter, bigger, more effective ideas
• Analyze client brand marketing challenges and identify key problems to solve
• Audit existing research and guide any additional research to fill knowledge gaps
• Monitor and interpret cultural and social trends relevant to client categories
• Identify opportunities to constantly improve the quality of thinking applied to client business
• Craft compelling strategic recommendations, positioning statements, creative strategies, and briefs
• Identify and manage best-in-class research suppliers and tools
• Develop trusted consultant relationships with client brand leaders
• Confidently and convincingly present agency perspectives
• Be an active contributor to agency thought leadership and culture

Qualifications/Requirements

• Bachelors Degree
• 8+ years in brand planning on client or agency side
• Deep experience in brand, consumer and advertising research
• Experience in food, beverage, CPG a big plus
• Exceptional strategic and creative thinking
• Experience translating brand strategy into digital channels
• Track record of influencing great work with evidence of break-through strategies
• Infectious and intellectual curiosity
• A consumer of culture
• Flexible and adaptive; can pivot when needed
• Can work in analytical and creative spheres with strong ability to spark creative ideation
• Strong writing and presentation skills
• Experience in analytics, ability to interpret data and express insights as strategic opportunities
• Ability to lead client brand teams and agency teams
• Strong work ethic; ability to work occasional extended hours

Our Client

The Client is an independent agency located in Pittsburgh, PA that's focused on delivering world-class advertising for its national clients.

The firm offer a competitive benefits package that includes 100% Health Insurance coverage, Retirement matching, unlimited PTO, 10 paid holidays, Summer Fridays, a generous Parental Leave Policy, remote work flexibility, and a dog-friendly office.

This organization is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.