At this time, we are only considering candidates located near one of our four office locations who is open to a hybrid work environment and is able to be in-person to collaborate on a regular basis (Columbus OH, Detroit MI, Toledo OH, Washington DC).

About Hart

Hart is a full-service, independent brand transformation agency that creates growth for middle-market companies in the new experience economy. For over 60 years, Hart has been a valued strategic and creative partner to brands aiming to reach higher. Our promise of Every Day Greater™ is an outgrowth of our distinctive capability to move audiences from apathy to advocacy by designing and deploying empowering, unified brand experiences. Join us in our never-ending quest to move brands to better places for a better world. 

SUMMARY

Hart seeks a Strategy Director to lead the development and execution of brand, messaging, and integrated marketing strategies across multiple client accounts. This role blends research, cultural insights, and market analysis to provide actionable recommendations that inform strategy, including brand positioning, messaging platforms, and creative inspiration, collaborating closely with department strategists, account and creative leads, and cross-functional teams.

RESPONSIBILITIES

·       Support qualitative, quantitative, and cultural research initiatives, translating insights into brand strategy, messaging frameworks, and creative recommendations.

·       Assist in preparing foresight decks, insight reports, and story-driven strategic recommendations that align business objectives with creative execution.

·       Collaborate with Creative, Media, PR, and Account teams to ensure strategy contributions are embedded in campaign development, messaging platforms, and omnichannel communications.

·       Track cultural, consumer, and industry trends to inform brand opportunities, positioning refinement, and creative inspiration.

·       Contribute to new business efforts with research support, audience insights, points of view and strategic branding recommendations.

·       Ensure all deliverables meet high standards of accuracy, clarity, strategic relevance, and creative applicability.

QUALIFICATIONS

·       6–12 years of experience in strategic research, insights, or integrated marketing strategy roles, with proven experience in brand strategy and messaging development.

·       Experience in qualitative and quantitative research, audience segmentation, cultural listening, and trend analysis.

·       Ability to translate research findings into actionable brand strategy, messaging frameworks, and creative guidance.

·       Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.

·       Comfortable collaborating with senior strategists and cross-functional teams to shape brand, creative, and messaging strategies.

·       Exposure to Paid, Owned, and Earned media planning, measurement, or omnichannel strategy is a plus.

·       Familiarity with research tools, cultural intelligence platforms, and strategic foresight methods preferred.

KEY COMPETENCIES

·       Research and analysis to support brand, creative, and messaging strategies.

·       Insight synthesis, storytelling, and translation into actionable creative direction.

·       Cross-functional collaboration and team support to ensure alignment across strategy, creative, and account teams.

·       Trend monitoring, cultural intelligence, and identification of opportunities for brand differentiation.

·       Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and strategic business acumen.

·       Presentation skills and the ability to articulate brand, messaging, and creative rationale to internal teams and clients.

ROLE IMPACT
This position plays a crucial role in strengthening collaboration and alignment across strategy, creative, media, and account teams. By combining research, insights, and cultural intelligence with brand strategy and messaging expertise, the Strategy Director ensures teams and clients have the information and context needed to make data-driven, culturally informed, and creative decisions. The work contributes to strategies that are rooted in truth, responsive to market and audience signals, and designed to inspire transformative creative work and business outcomes.

PERSONAL SKILLS AND CHARACTER TRAITS 

·       You enjoy the creative atmosphere and energy a modern agency provides.  

·        You have very strong interpersonal skills and top-notch verbal and written communication skills. 

·       You can empathize with clients, partners, and stakeholders in politically challenging environments and work well under pressure within given timeframes. 

·       You are deeply fluent in digital, eager to learn, and want to grow rapidly in our organization. 

·       You are an inclusive and supportive team player who can work in cross-functional teams with people of different grades and backgrounds. 

·       You have a penchant for results and an entrepreneurial mindset; you bring a can-do mentality to everything you touch. 

·       You can work fast and independently with great precision and accuracy. 

WHAT WE OFFER  

·       An exciting and intellectually challenging job within a leading, independent brand transformation agency that honors and lives its values: 

o   We are Champions for Others. 

o   We are Human-First. 

o   We Act as One. 

o   We incite New Growth. 

o   We invite Exploration. 

·       A fruitful salary and benefits package.

·       Perks such as paid parental leave, summer flex Fridays and volunteer time off. 

·       A hybrid work environment. 

·       Generous amount of paid time off annually + paid holidays. 

·       Flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care.  

·       Health Savings Account option with employer contribution.  

·       Paid short-term and long-term disability coverage.  

·       Daily snacks, beverages, and full access to our on-site tavern and lounge. 

·       An employee experience that fosters and provides deeper connections, vital flexibility, personal growth, holistic well-being, and shared purpose. 

We employ great people from an ever-widening variety of backgrounds – not just because it’s the right thing to do but also because we believe that diverse perspectives make our agency stronger and more innovative. If you share our values, come find your place in our community. Meet us on @_hartinc and hartinc.com/careers to learn more. 

Hart is an equal opportunities employer and continually seeks to advance the concepts of equal employment opportunity to all applicants and employees. As such, Hart does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, or status as a protected veteran. This policy applies to all personnel activities and conditions of employment.