Strategy Director

About Us
Grizzly is an independent creative agency. We guide brands onward to challenge convention and impact culture. We work at the convergence of branding and advertising — blending strategy, design, and storytelling to build deeper connections between brands and people. We partner with brands pioneering new futures. The trailblazers. The visionaries. The courageous. The businesses of tomorrow that believe in a better world and are hell-bent on building it. Adventurous Brands create and lead categories, secure the world's work, and change how we live. We put creativity to work for business because we believe the most innovative brands have the power to affect just about anything. They challenge convention, impact culture, and forge connections. We help them navigate an increasingly complex and challenging world. This is how we guide brands onward.

Position Summary
The Strategy Director at Grizzly is a trusted partner to both clients and internal teams. You will lead strategy across client work, accounts, and new business pitches - helping solve the big problems, unlock the big insights, and inspire both our clients and our creative teams. You thrive in an ad agency environment where brand and campaign thinking must work hand-in-hand. You know how to translate business challenges into bold insights, and insights into actionable strategies that drive both creative excellence and measurable results.

Reports to: Chief Strategy Officer

Location: San Diego, CA (onsite/hybrid)

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy on Client Work
• Lead development of brand and campaign strategies that bridge insight to execution
• Conduct research (qualitative and quantitative) to uncover actionable opportunities
• Write briefs that spark creative ideas and guide teams with clarity
• Inspire internal teams and clients with a strong point of view and well-crafted storytelling
• Present strategy with confidence and translate complex thinking into simple, compelling narratives
• Strategy on Client Accounts
• Build deep understanding of client businesses, industries, and audiences
• Partner with account leadership to align strategic work with business objectives
• Anticipate client challenges and proactively recommend solutions
• Contribute to quarterly business reviews and help prove impact and growth
• Strengthen long-term client relationships by acting as a trusted advisor
• Strategy on New Business Pitches
• Collaborate with leadership to develop pitch strategies and positioning
• Uncover insights that differentiate Grizzly in competitive reviews
• Craft narratives that connect client needs to Grizzly's unique perspective
• Present thinking that inspires confidence in our ability to deliver bold, effective work

Core Contributions
Solve the Big Problem: Uncover and frame the critical challenges our clients face.

Unlock the Big Insight: Translate research and observation into powerful, creative springboards.

Inspire the Work: Push creative teams and clients toward ideas that matter and move culture.

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of strategic planning/brand strategy experience in an ad agency or creative agency environment
• Proven ability to work across brand and campaign strategy, with examples of both
• Strong record of turning insights into actionable strategies that drive results
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and presentation skills
• Ability to inspire creative teams, influence clients, and drive clarity in complex situations
• Collaborative leader who can mentor junior strategists and elevate agency-wide thinking

Work Requirements

• Must be located within a one-hour drive of San Diego, CA
• Flexibility with schedule to meet client commitments
• Domestic and international travel may be required

This job description outlines the general scope of responsibilities and is not exhaustive. Grizzly is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from all backgrounds. Employment remains at-will and may be modified in accordance with business needs and legal requirements.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.