Associate Strategy Director

Walton Isaacson (WI) is an independent creative agency powered by a collective of enlightened rebels and creative catalysts who think differently and care deeply about the work. We're a mix of strategists, storytellers, and cultural observers who stay close to what's happening in the world and what's coming next. The brands we partner with show up in culture in ways that feel real, relevant, and meaningful. A big part of that is our focus on inclusion as a driver of growth, helping uncover opportunities others might miss. At our core, we believe that when more perspectives are part of the process, the work is stronger and so are the brands behind it.

We are looking for an Associate Strategy Director to lead culturally grounded, insight-driven strategy across two of WI's most dynamic accounts: The Home Depot and McDonald's.

This role sits at the intersection of cultural intelligence, business strategy, and creative inspiration, guiding work that is not only on brief, but ahead of culture. You will shape long-term platforms, develop proactive thought leadership, and ensure strategic rigor across campaigns, partnerships, and experiential moments.

You operate with a high degree of autonomy and ownership, confidently leading workstreams even when direction or structure is limited. You bring an entrepreneurial mindset, proactively identifying opportunities, shaping briefs, and driving work forward without waiting for direction. You thrive in ambiguous environments, using strategic thinking to create clarity, define next steps, and guide teams toward solutions

You are both a systems thinker and a storyteller; someone who can connect macro cultural shifts to tangible brand opportunities, and translate them into clear, inspiring direction for clients and creative teams.

Requirements

Ways of Working

• Take initiative to define the strategic agenda, ensuring progress continues even in the absence of clear direction
• Proactively identify gaps, opportunities, and areas for growth across the business, and mobilize teams against them
• Establish structure and clarity across complex, fast-moving workstreams

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Serve as the strategic lead across disciplines, guiding creative, experiential, and account teams toward aligned, insight-driven decisions
• Act as a central decision-maker in moments of ambiguity, ensuring work remains on-strategy and cohesive across touchpoints
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external partner agencies, fostering collaboration and ensuring strategic alignment across all contributors

Strategic Leadership & Platform Stewardship

• Lead and evolve annual and multi-year strategic platforms, ensuring all work ladders up to a cohesive vision (e.g., FY26 platform stewardship and mid-year reviews)
• Own strategic integrity across all touchpoints from brief through execution and measurement
• Drive Quarterly Business Review (QBR) strategy narratives that demonstrate impact and forward momentum

Cultural & Consumer Intelligence

• Develop proactive, multi-part consumer insight reports (e.g., African American consumer, homeownership, lifestyle trends) that unlock new opportunities for clients
• Translate cultural, social, and political dynamics (e.g., shifting cultural climate, emerging tensions, identity trends) into brand-relevant insights
• Lead POV development for key moments (seasonal, cultural, and retail events) to position WI as a thought leader

Experiential & Partnership Strategy

• Lead strategy for experiential marketing platforms, ensuring alignment with brand objectives, target audience passions and affinities, and cultural relevance
• Shape brand-to-brand and brand-to-creator partnership ecosystems that authentically connect with audiences
• Ensure all experiences and partnerships ladder up to a cohesive "Brand for Me" narrative that builds emotional connection

Creative & Communications Strategy

• Model a proactive, solutions-oriented approach that inspires teams to move forward with momentum and purpose
• Author clear, inspiring creative briefs rooted in human truth and cultural context
• Partner closely with creative, account, and production teams to bring ideas to life across channels
• Guide storytelling across campaigns, ensuring consistency and breakthrough thinking

Business Growth & Opportunity Identification

• Identify whitespace opportunities to expand scope and deepen client relationships
• Collaborate across agencies and partners to uncover gaps in insights, research, and strategy
• Contribute to new business efforts and organic growth initiatives

Client Leadership & Influence

• Serve as a trusted strategic partner to senior clients
• Lead presentations and workshops with energy, clarity, confidence, and authority
• Demonstrate the value of strategy through actionable recommendations and measurable outcomes

Leadership & Team Contribution

• Mentor junior strategists and foster a culture of curiosity and rigor
• Lead by example in collaboration, creativity, and cultural fluency
• Contribute to agency-wide thought leadership and strategic evolution

What Success Looks Like

• Clients view you as a strategic thought partner, not just a deliverable owner
• Work consistently reflects a clear strategic throughline, from insight to execution
• WI is seen as proactive and culturally ahead, not reactive
• New opportunities are uncovered through your insights and leadership
• Creative work is sharper, more resonant, and more effective because of your guidance

Qualifications

• 7-10+ years in brand, communications, or cultural strategy (agency experience preferred)
• Proven experience leading strategy across retail, QSR, experiential, or multicultural marketing
• Deep understanding of Black/African American consumer audiences and cultural dynamics
• Strong background in qualitative and quantitative research with the ability to synthesize into clear insights
• Experience with partnership strategy, experiential marketing, or integrated campaigns
• Exceptional storytelling and presentation skills
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• Experience with and expertise of Hispanic, AAPI, and LGBTQ+ consumer audiences and cultures a plus

The salary range for this position is $100,000 to $125,000. Where an employee or prospective employee is paid within this range will depend on, among other factors, actual ranges for current/former employees in the subject position; the associated discipline; market considerations; budgetary considerations; tenure and standing with the company(applicable to current employees); as well as the employee's/applicant's background, pertinent experience, and qualifications.

At WI we are committed to cultivating an environment that promotes diversity, equity and inclusion. We promote DEI in our workplace and are a global community who believe our unique qualities should be celebrated. We want everyone at Walton Isaacson to bring their authentic selves to work everyday, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.