At AKQA we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products and services.

With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive digital services and applications that capture the imagination, delivering impressive returns for our clients. Strategists at AKQA make our client’s business their business. Working with client service, creative, UX, and tech teams, they are the voice of both the client’s business and the consumer.

Drawn from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines, our strategists develop and apply market insights, data and trends to communicate and drive innovation opportunities.

We are seeking a driven and experienced Senior Strategist / Associate Strategy Director ready to take the next step as Strategy Director and lead our Berlin Strategy team.This pivotal role requires a strategic leader with a strong foundation in brand and communications strategy, and a T-shaped skillset spanning experience strategy and business strategy. The ideal candidate will be a hands-on leader, capable of guiding a small but growing team of diverse specialists while also contributing directly to client work.

You will report to the Managing Director, Berlin. You will also benefit from leadership and support from EMEA and Global strategy leadership.

Role requirements

• Strategic Leadership: Provide strategic direction and oversight across brand, communications, experience, and business strategy initiatives
• Client Partnership: Build strong relationships with clients, acting as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to identify opportunities for growth and innovation.
• Team Management: Lead, mentor, and inspire a team of strategists, fostering their professional development and ensuring high-quality output.
• Strategic Vision: Develop and articulate compelling strategic visions for local, regional and global clients that align with client objectives and resonate with target audiences .
• Insight Generation: Leverage data, research, and market trends to uncover actionable insights that inform strategic recommendations.
• Integrated Thinking: Champion integrated thinking across disciplines, ensuring that brand, communications, experience, and business strategies are aligned and mutually reinforcing .
• New Business Development: Contribute to new business pitches and proposals, showcasing AKQA's strategic capabilities and thought leadership.
• Innovation & Thought Leadership: Stay abreast of emerging trends and technologies, and proactively identify opportunities to innovate and push the boundaries of strategic thinking.
• Strategic Offering Leadership: Lead the strategic offering across one or more key account programs.
• Berlin Leadership Team Representation: Represent the strategy department on the Berlin leadership team.

Qualifications & Skills:

• 8+ years of experience in a strategy role within a digital or creative agency with a proven track record of success.
• Deep expertise in brand and communications strategy, coupled with experience in experience strategy and business strategy
• Exceptional strategic thinking skills, with the ability to develop and articulate compelling strategic visions.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to leverage data, research, and market trends to uncover actionable insights
• A passion for creativity, innovation, brand experiences, and business strategy .
• A strong understanding of how business, brands, and consumers interact, and how technology is impacting their lives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both German and English, with the ability to inspire and persuade senior stakeholders.
• Proven leadership skills, with the ability to motivate, mentor, and inspire a team of strategists.
• Strong client management skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with clients.
• A deep understanding of the digital landscape, emerging technologies, and consumer behavior.
• Familiarity with the design, application, and analysis of a wide range of quantitative and qualitative research.

Explore our extensive range of benefits here 

We believe great work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach including required in-office days. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

AKQA is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.