Strategy Director (FMCG / CPG)

Ogilvy was founded in 1948 by David Ogilvy. David created a culture that deeply respects and cares about its people and clients. Our mission is to inspire people and brands to make an impact and we are committed to attracting, growing, and retaining the best talent in the industry. 

About the Role  

WPP@Unilever is an agile model to meet Unilever’s evolving marketing needs and the challenges of technological change. With specialist expertise across creative, media and research from various WPP agencies coming together under one roof, it’s a first of a kind integrated model to drive creative innovation and enhance response to the pace of change in consumer markets for some of the most iconic global and regional Unilever brands.

What You’ll Do 

• To be seen as a strategic partner by your clients

This role requires you to build a close, constructive, proactive, and open dialogue with your senior clients. You must win their trust but not be afraid to challenge their thinking when required.

• To drive ground-breaking consumer insight for the brand rooted in local consumers and culture.

We need to really get under the skin of our consumers, understanding the attitudes, needs, worries, and desires that underpin their relationship with their category's. To do this, you will need to understand and absorb existing research data (both quantitative and qualitative) and be able to uncover fresh insights. You will push to find new ways to get closer to consumers, whether that’s through suggesting new research opportunities or planning and running innovative consumer workshops.

• To nurture outstanding creative work

You should be seen as a champion of creativity, working closely with the Creative Directors to deliver inspiring briefings and working closely with creative teams to nurture original creative ideas.

• To create compelling narratives and presentations

You will need to create logical and compelling presentations (e.g., building on consumer insights to define new positioning territories; using historical audits and competitor learnings to help evolve our tone of voice and positioning; creating persuasive narratives to frame the presentation of creative ideas etc.).

• To help navigate creative work through complex processes.

You will need to develop thorough understanding of our clients’ ways of working.

• To drive innovative media and channel thinking

This role requires expertise and experience across integrated traditional advertising. You should always be looking for ways to expand remit, working with internal and external partners to explore different media approaches across TVC, digital, social, PR, commerce, experience, and technology.

• To bring global brand expertise

You should have global brand experience and always be pushing to enhance the perceived value of products through design and aesthetics. You will bring knowledge and understanding of how other brands operate and challenge the team to always aspire to higher standards.

• To bring external cultural inspiration

You should be interested in wider cultural issues and be fully plugged into contemporary culture, always inspiring your clients and team with viewpoints from the wider world and spotting any opportunities for proactive work. This is a global role, you need to able to reach outside of your own culture and background, working with local teams around the world to bring insight and inspiration.

• To drive a culture of effectiveness and fame

You will look for opportunities to write effectiveness papers, fame and drive a culture of effective measurement across the team.

• To fully contribute as a member of the wider Unilever strategy team

You will contribute to the wider regional Unilever team by helping to nurture, train and develop junior strategists (this could be someone working directly with you, or the wider team). You will also be involved with pitching and contribute to building an enquiring, proactive, supportive team culture.

What You’ll Need  

• You have extensive senior level Strategy experience, with strong creative credentials, plus experience of leading sizeable CPG clients and a track record of new business wins.
• Should have solid experience in brand planning / creative agencies.
• Can demonstrate a track record in building inspiring brand platforms that lead to great work.
• Demonstrable creative pedigree, ideation and ATL brand planning experience
• Have a proven track record of new business wins and pitch success.
• Be a team player with energy, optimism and an entrepreneurial eye for creative opportunity.
• Appreciation of new strategic disciplines and wanting to learn more about them.
• A good listener and collaborator
• You live for great work.

How We’ll Support You 

Ogilvy celebrates its people. Fully. Enthusiastically. Unhesitatingly. We’ll empower you with the tools you’ll need to succeed. We’ll give you the autonomy to seek out new paths and better ways of doing things. We’ll support you with colleagues who are experts in their disciplines, drawn from across the Ogilvy network. And we’ll provide opportunities for you to do work of which you’ll be proud, with people you’ll be proud to call your teammates.