SVP, Executive Strategy Director
We are looking for someone with a track record of inspiring breakthrough creative development and who leans into connections strategy, research and innovation.
The ESD of Doe-Anderson will lead our team of brand and digital strategists to mine for insights that will shape our clients’ brands and businesses. The ESD will be a leader in the agency, not just a strategist, playing a key role in writing the next chapter of our independent 108-year-old agency. This person will partner with their leader peers to chart a vision for the future of strategy at Doe-Anderson and will inspire our teams to work together toward that vision.
The ESD will work across existing clients in a consultative manner and will also play a crucial role in new business. We are looking for someone with a track record of inspiring breakthrough creative development and who leans into connections strategy, research and innovation.
About Louisville
Our hometown since 1915, was recently dubbed “the new Austin.” We’re not sure what that means, but we’ll take it as a compliment. We like to think of Louisville as the place where Southern hospitality begins but Midwestern common sense and practicality stick around. It’s a blend of the best of both cultures. And speaking of culture, we’ve long been known for having one of the country’s most dynamic art scenes. Over the past decade, our food scene has caught up, with Louisville becoming recognized as one of the leaders in the farm-to-table movement.
Oh, and did we mention bourbon? Mix in with a low cost of living and an ease of getting around. Stir well. Enjoy.
About Doe-Anderson
You know the cliché about a company being “like a family?” Well, sometimes it’s because that’s the truth. At Doe-Anderson, you would be joining an organization that’s been nurturing wonderful people and terrific clients for well over a century. We encourage you carve your own path here, supported by management, and your peers. Need flexibility? We have a fully hybrid and remote work environment with great benefits. We love to celebrate each other and our clients. This is a happy place that treasures the people who build our culture and character. That may be why almost half our employees are shareholders in the company – and why people stay nearly three times longer than the agency average. There’s something about us that makes it hard to leave.
We have a long history of creating award-winning work that, well, works. We strive to reflect the best of the world we live in and speak to every day -- building belief in brands and celebrating one another as members of a diverse and inclusive team.
You are welcome here. We will never disqualify a potential team member based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or veteran or disability status.
Responsibilities
Leadership Jobs to Be Done
Lead development and definition of a differentiated Doe-Anderson point of view on how brands go to market and engage with consumers, one that that infiltrates the language and culture of the agency and how we work.
Partner with discipline lead peers to activate this in a unique strategic development process, how we work as a team and in the work that goes into market with our clients.
Contribute to defining a unique positioning of the agency, aligning with our POV on brands’ roles in culture and how we create ideas.
Create a practice of producing thought leadership, especially in our clients’ categories, and partner with discipline lead peers to be proactive in creating solutions that solve business problems.
Attract and recruit top strategy talent to the agency. Build and nurture team of complementary talent at various levels that enables the creation of both unique, insightful briefs for the assigned work and proactive thinking that allows us to lead and be true partners with our clients.
Build and lead a next-generation planning function that infuses creative with breakthrough brand-, media-, and customer- driven insights that are tapped into culture and trends.
Ongoing Role & Responsibilities
Lead the agency’s strategy offering and team, working to maintain quality in our strategies and deliverables in these areas and advising other agency leadership principals on needed tools and partners.
Partner with our most important and high-opportunity clients, helping develop long-term business and brand strategies.
Serves as an agency and industry thought leader on using audience research, data and insights, as well as marketing innovation to deliver client strategies that meaningfully improve their businesses.
Maintain strong collaborative partner-relationships with other senior leaders, not just to drive great work, but to set an example for the agency in integrated teams.
Reports to: President/COO
Qualifications
What You Bring With You
Extensive marketing/advertising strategy experience with a deep understanding of consumer, media and business landscape.
Demonstrated success in leading or helping lead a brand strategy, planning, and research capability in an agency environment with evidence of breakthrough innovation across these disciplines.
A vision for the future of brands and businesses – you are on the mission to use our power as marketers to improve how brands engage with the world.
Empathetic problem-solving and communication – you skillfully approach challenges from the view of the consumer or client. You’re able to empathetically understand a diverse range of views; using those to inform the approach.
Ability to connect the dots and land the plane – you are able to merge disparate needs and inputs into a cohesive strategy that becomes an action plan.
Nuts & Bolts
12+ years’ experience, a meaningful part of it in an agency environment working on known brands. (You have either led a strategy function or been a senior deputy who has helped lead one and owned client relationships.
Live in or relocate to Louisville, Kentucky area. (We have a hybrid/flex work policy that respects our employees’ personal lives and allows for flexibility as to time in office).
Report to the President/COO and be an important member of the agency’s Leadership Team.
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