Strategy Manager

Job Title: Creative Strategy Manager Location: New York, NY Start Date: ASAP Whalar, part of Accenture Song is the leading, most awarded Creator and Social agency. We transform brands into cultural drivers by unlocking the full creative power of Creators. We go beyond the conventional social and influencer strategy. We have the technology and methodology to tap into the beating pulse of communities, listen to nuances that move culture, and connect brands in ways that make them unforgettable. With hubs in London, Berlin, New York, and Los Angeles, our reach is global. About the role: The Creative Strategist will support the development of insight-driven strategies that connect culture, consumers, creators, and creative execution to deliver impactful, social-first work for clients. Reporting to the Director or Associate Director of Creative Strategy, this role translates cultural trends, audience insights, and campaign objectives into clear strategic recommendations and actionable creator brief frameworks. You will partner closely with Creative, Client Services, and cross-functional teams to build compelling pitch decks, curate on-strategy creator partnerships, and bring fresh ideation to life. The ideal candidate is a curious, culturally fluent strategist who understands the creator landscape inside and out and excels at turning observations into compelling insights and creative opportunities. Here’s what you’ll do day-to-day: Develop strategic foundations, POVs, and insight-driven recommendations for client and agency projects by translating cultural, consumer, and platform insights into actionable strategies that inspire creative execution. Partner with Client Services and Creative teams to transform client briefs into clear campaign objectives, facilitate brainstorming sessions, develop campaign narratives, and ensure creative work aligns with strategic goals, audience insights, and success metrics. Monitor and analyze cultural trends, social behaviors, creators, and platform developments to inform social-first strategies, lead cultural and community audits, and identify emerging opportunities for clients. Review and refine creator briefs and content, providing strategic and creative feedback to ensure deliverables align with campaign objectives, platform best practices, brand guidelines, and past performance learnings. Leverage campaign performance data and industry insights to optimize future strategies, strengthen creative recommendations, and contribute to agency thought leadership. Build trusted partnerships with clients by providing strategic guidance, collaborating cross-functionally with Client Services, Paid Media, Measurement, and Creative teams, and contributing innovative ideas that drive client success and agency growth. Here’s what we’re looking for: 2–3 years of experience developing and executing social strategies within an agency setting, with a strong understanding of social platforms, culture, and audience behavior. Relentless Curiosity: Remain in constant pursuit of “the why” — embody the willingness to dig deep. We live inside the zeitgeist, not just observe it. We get below the surface of our data, audiences, and communities to unlock the central heartbeat of where Strategy and Creative connect. Translating Observations Into Insights: Ability to take hard facts, stats, trends, and observations, and turn them into truths that reveal underlying tensions and motivations that will resonate with our audiences. Creative Writing: Copy should be concise, precise, and simple… where simple doesn’t mean easy. It means being clear. Every word must earn its place on the page. Our words should fuel a feeling – we want to spark, provoke, and excite something in the reader. Creator Intelligence: Deep understanding of what makes creator partnerships feel authentic, credible, and culturally relevant, ensuring creators remain at the heart of every story we tell. The “Creative” In Strategy: Develop insight-driven strategies that inspire bold creative thinking, providing clear strategic direction while creating space for breakthrough ideas. The salary range for this role is $60,000 - $70,000 and serves as a general guideline for the potential compensation. The final salary offer will be determined based on a comprehensive evaluation of factors such as the candidate's experience, expertise, alignment with the position's requirements, location, and, ultimately, budget approvals. Our values: At Whalar, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) isn't just a statement, it's our collective strength. Our people are our superpower. A diverse team and inclusive leadership have shaped Whalar since our inception in 2016, fueling a constant evolution of growth. We champion a culture of respect and empathy, fostering a sense of belonging that transcends demographics. We hire individuals of all backgrounds and empower them to thrive, challenge stereotypes, and actively break societal barriers. The perks: Whalar provides flexible benefits and collaborative work environments/experiences, so employees can work productively in a setting that best and uniquely suits their needs. Medical, Dental, Vision 25 days of PTO + Sick days + Winter break Retirement planning with employer match Monthly phone/internet reimbursement Professional development stipend New joiner's Home office allowance Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave Volunteer days Identity theft protection & Legal assistance Company Paid Life & Disability Insurance Voluntary Life Insurance Policy Voluntary Hospital and Critical Illness Insurance Voluntary Pet insurance Employee Resource Groups Whalar provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Equal opportunity extends to all aspects of the employment relationship, including hiring, promotions, training, working conditions, compensation, and benefits.