Strategy Director

About Us

Interact Brands is a branding agency with a deep focus on consumer brands, specializing in creating meaningful and memorable brand identities that connect with culture and resonate in today’s marketplace. Our team is driven by collaboration, creativity, and impact, consistently pushing boundaries to bring out the best in our work and in each other. We operate in a dynamic, flexible environment with a commitment to both remote and hybrid work.

Position Overview

At Interact, the Strategy Director is the individual who defines the vision for how we make our work and the world better by engaging people’s curiosity, taking smart risks on innovative ideas and creating new ways for people to build trust with each other. The Strategy Director is responsible for providing input throughout the development process (from kick-off through to finally creative delivery) to ensure that all strategies push the boundaries of what’s possible while delivering on our client’s goals. They have their finger on the pulse of culture, consumer markets and changes to our clients’ business to steer the department’s energies toward actions that will have the greatest impact. They are a trusted voice, charged with the responsibility of advancing our strategic discipline within the studio and the public sphere. Most importantly, they are an inclusive leader that fosters and supports a collaborative environment to empower others to do their best work.

Responsibilities

• Leadership and oversight of strategy on all client engagements
• Manage the Strategy Department budget to support strategic initiatives and investments. Evaluate financial data and identify potential risks to ensure strategies are aligned with business goals
• Collaborate with the account team to establish a process for building trusted client relationships and growing new relationships to expand opportunities within the existing client portfolio
• Bring relevant consumer and market insights to the process of strategy development via brand audits, competitive positioning, cultural and economic trends, and design assessment
• Structure and facilitate co-creation sessions (internally and externally with clients) to ensure adherence to overall strategy; drive key decisions and communicate results to broader project team
• Collaborate with the leadership and account team to ensure smooth day-to-day operations and overall project success (i.e. resource meeting attendance and project scope meetings)
• Lead development of strategy scope and our strategic POV on new business opportunities
• Oversee the development of strategic partnerships and foster relationships with external organizations (research providers, technology providers and strategic specialists) to enhance business potential and contribute to broader industry influence​
• Mentor and manage strategy team members to ensure they are challenged and growing with every project
• Partner closely with creative leadership to continuously evolve Interact’s strategic offering and define ways of working 

Keys to success

• Ability to deliver meaningful strategy work to a mix of clients including entrepreneurs with a new-to-world brand as well as creative brand teams at larger CPG companies
• Strong presentation skills and ability to command a room 
• Active communicator with internal and external stakeholders
• Confidence in leading difficult client conversations
• Experience managing a strategy department inclusive of department goals, budgets, and team members 
• Desire to work in a fast-paced agency environment 

Requirements

• 7-10+ years design agency experience 
• 5-7+ years proven CPG brand strategy experience 
• Strong presentation skills 
• Experience leading a strategy department 

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision coverage for Interact employees and their family
• Paid parental leave
• Remote work flexibility with hybrid office spaces in Austin and NYC
• Flexible vacation policy - up to 23 days of PTO per calendar year
• Sick days
• 3+ weeks paid holiday closures including Interact Disconnect Day
• Summer Fridays
• Mind Reset Stipend - $100/quarter flexible mental/physical health reimbursement
• Access to a 401K plan and company match up to 4% after 6 months of service
• Professional development opportunities

Salary
$125,000-$180,000

Starting base salary depends on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education.

Our commitment 

Interact Brands is committed to equitable hiring and employment practices and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race,  color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, service in the military, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. 

Reports To: Executive Creative Director

Job Details: Full-time Exempt

Work Hours: 9AM-5PM MST

Location: Hybrid for Austin, TX and NYC; Remote for CA, CO, MA, NC; preferred location is NYC