Senior Marketing Strategist

Company Description

VI Marketing and Branding is a full-service agency, rooted in media-buying since 1989, that excels in behavior change marketing. Our team of innovative problem-solvers and data enthusiasts brings expertise in diverse sectors including public health, safety, technology, and food & beverage. By leveraging a profound understanding of consumer behavior, we deliver transformative results for our clients. At VI, we are passionate about amplifying impact and creating meaningful connections through our work.

Position Summary

The Senior Marketing Strategist is a lead strategic thinker responsible for developing and executing integrated marketing strategies that drive measurable client success across multiple accounts and industries. This role serves as a senior strategic partner to clients and internal teams, translating business objectives into actionable marketing plans that strengthen brands, accelerate growth, and improve performance.

In partnership with account leadership, creative, media, PR, digital, and analytics teams, the Senior Marketing Strategist ensures all campaigns are insight-driven, cohesive, and aligned with client goals. This role combines high-level strategic planning with hands-on execution, requiring both visionary thinking and day-to-day leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Client Planning

• Lead the development of comprehensive marketing strategies, brand positioning, messaging frameworks, and campaign plans for assigned clients.
• Conduct market research, audience analysis, competitive reviews, and performance evaluations to uncover strategic opportunities.
• Translate insights, data, and business goals into actionable recommendations that improve client outcomes.
• Ensure strategic consistency across campaigns, channels, and deliverables.
• Present strategic recommendations, campaign plans, and performance insights to clients with confidence and clarity.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with creative, media, social, PR, digital, and analytics teams to ensure integrated campaign execution.
• Collaborate with account teams to align strategic priorities with project scopes, timelines, and budgets.
• Guide creative and channel teams through strategy implementation while maintaining focus on measurable business objectives.
• Foster collaboration between departments to maximize innovation and campaign effectiveness.

Client Relationship Management

• Build strong client relationships through proactive communication, strategic guidance, and performance-focused recommendations.
• Receive and interpret client briefings, translating feedback and business needs into clear strategic direction for internal teams.
• Maintain a positive agency reputation through exceptional service, strategic leadership, and effective conflict resolution.
• Identify growth opportunities within existing accounts through upselling, cross-channel expansion, and strategic innovation.
• Help navigate client challenges and provide strategic problem-solving when business needs evolve.
• Keep senior leadership informed on client activities, opportunities, and challenges.

Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Lead and mentor strategists, coordinators, and account team members while fostering professional growth and skill development.
• Assign and oversee strategic initiatives across team members to ensure plans are executed effectively, on time, and at a high standard.
• Contribute to agency knowledge-sharing by improving strategic tools, templates, and frameworks.
• Support team development by fostering a culture of creativity, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Help develop future agency talent through coaching, leadership, and strategic oversight.

Performance & Business Impact

• Monitor campaign effectiveness, strategic KPIs, and budget performance to ensure marketing efforts drive ROI.
• Analyze campaign, audience, and market performance to optimize future strategies.
• Support new business development through strategic contributions to pitches, proposals, and presentations.
• Maintain strong understanding of industry trends, consumer behaviors, and emerging platforms to keep clients competitive.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; degree in marketing, communications, business, or related field preferred.
• Digital marketing certifications and advanced strategic training are beneficial.
• 6+ years of integrated marketing experience across digital, traditional, social, content, and promotional channels.
• Proven success developing and implementing strategic marketing initiatives that drive measurable business results.
• Strong client-facing experience with the ability to influence stakeholders and guide strategic decisions.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and project leadership skills.
• Ability to manage multiple clients and initiatives in a fast-paced agency environment.

Skills & Competencies

• Advanced strategic planning and critical thinking skills.
• Strong understanding of brand strategy, customer journeys, and audience insights.
• Expertise in turning research and data into actionable marketing strategies.
• Exceptional collaboration and leadership capabilities.
• High emotional intelligence and relationship management skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize effectively.
• Excellent attention to detail, follow-through, and issue resolution skills.
• Strong discernment to distinguish urgent issues from high-priority strategic needs.
• Solution-oriented mindset with creative problem-solving capabilities.
• Passion for innovation, performance marketing, and delivering measurable results.

VI Marketing and Branding is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, national origin, color, religion, age, genetics, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.