Strategy Director

ABOUT M&C SAATCHI WORLD SERVICES

M&C Saatchi World Services is a full-service marketing company renowned for using commercial advertising to solve the world’s toughest challenges. World Services is a specialty branch of M&C Saatchi Group, and we provide strategic communications, behavior change, and marketing support to Public Sector clients with special emphasis on the US Federal Government and State, Local, Tribal, & Territorial leaders.

THE ROLE

M&C Saatchi World Services seeks a Strategy Director to serve as the lead subject matter expert (SME) for integrated communications, audience, and engagement strategy within a large federal and DoD-aligned mission environment. The Strategy Director turns mission priorities, audience insight, research and performance data into integrated strategies that shape communications, content, creative, media, and digital experience. The Strategy Director plays a central leadership role in shaping the enterprise communications posture, harmonizing cross-functional messaging, and guiding the long-term communications roadmap to support mission outcomes.

This is a hybrid role; however, the ideal candidate will live in either the greater New York City area or the greater District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee enterprise-wide strategic communications planning and execution.
• Serve as the lead SME on integrated communications strategy and narrative cohesion.
• Provide strategic counsel to leadership on communications posture, message risks, and alignment opportunities.
• Define the strategic proposition, audience behavior objectives, messaging architecture and channel approach for major campaigns and initiatives.
• Lead cross-directorate messaging coordination to ensure synchronized communications across all mission areas.
• Develop enterprise messaging frameworks, strategic guidance, and communication playbooks.
• Ensure consistency and accuracy of messaging across all digital, print, and stakeholder-facing channels.
• Support policy-related communications, leadership briefings, and enterprise announcements.
• Partner with Research & Analysis to turn audience, cultural, sentiment and performance data into strategic insight and recommendations.
• Partner with Creative and Content leadership to develop strategic and creative briefs that connect mission objectives, audience needs and desired behaviors.
• Coordinate with UX, content, visualization, and technical teams to produce mission-aligned communication products.
• Oversee communication analysis, sentiment insights, and performance reporting.
• Partner with outreach, engagement, and program teams to ensure integrated stakeholder communications.
• Maintain compliance with accessibility standards, federal communications guidance, and branding policies.
• Lead, mentor and develop the strategy team, establishing consistent strategic methods, quality standards and ways of working.

Key Attributes

• 12+ years of experience in communications strategy, brand strategy, audience and behavioral strategy, integrated campaign planning, or related agency strategy roles.
• Experience supporting federal or DoD strategic communications efforts preferred.
• Experience designing and executing strategic engagement strategies grounded in relational trust-building, ensuring community members feel safe and respected.
• Demonstrated success leading integrated communications initiatives across multiple organizations.
• Experience advising senior leaders on communication risks, priorities, and strategic direction.
• Experience guiding message development and alignment across digital and traditional channels.
• Strong understanding of enterprise communications strategy, narrative development, and stakeholder engagement.
• Familiarity with federal communication requirements, branding guidance, and accessibility standards.
• Experience supporting multichannel communication workflows and governance.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills suitable for senior leadership.
• Strong executive communication and narrative-shaping abilities.
• Ability to lead cross-functional messaging alignment efforts.
• High emotional intelligence and diplomacy in stakeholder environments.
• Analytical skills for evaluating communication effectiveness and strategic impact.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy, consistency, and clarity.

Bonus points if you have:

• Experience with sentiment analysis, communication metrics, or engagement analytics.
• Experience contributing to cross-functional digital strategy (web, UX, content, social). Strategic communications, public affairs, or related certifications.

Eligibility Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship: Must be a United States Citizen (required by government contract).
• Clearance Eligibility: Must be able and willing to obtain a U.S. Government Secret or Top Secret security clearance immediately upon employment.
• Background Screening: Must be willing to submit to a rigorous federal background investigation, which includes an in-depth review of personal finances, criminal history, employment history, and drug use.

Educational Requirements:

• BA/BS in Communications, Journalism, Public Affairs, Strategic Communications, or Marketing; Minimum 12 years' experience. Eligibility Requirements:
• Location: Hybrid, able to commute regularly to the New York, NY or Washington DC office space.
• Language Requirements: Fluent written and spoken English required.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT HERE

• Work on impactful programs supporting federal and defense-related initiatives.
• Collaborate with high-performing cross-functional teams across communications, digital and analytics disciplines.
• Opportunity to shape strategic public engagement initiatives at enterprise scale.
• Flexible hybrid working environment.
• Exposure to complex, mission-driven stakeholder engagement challenges.
• Career development opportunities within a fast-growing global organization.

WHAT YOU GET

• 12 weeks’ of full pay for primary caregivers and 6 weeks for secondary caregivers.
• Choice of three medical plans (HSA at $0 cost; EPO 75% employer funded; PPO 65% employer funded)
• 70% employer-funded dental and vision coverage
• Generous paid time off, sick leave, and company holidays, including an office closure between Christmas & New Year's
• 401(k) with 5% employer match
• Gym membership reimbursement and/or Wellhub subscription
• Mental health support through EAP and Self Space services
• Work from anywhere for up to 2 weeks per year (subject to approval)
• Social events, happy hours, professional development trainings, etc.

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