Overview
The Services team is a key differentiator for Mastercard, providing the cutting-edge services that help our customers grow. Centered on data-driven technologies and innovation, this team offers consulting, marketing, loyalty, and analytics to financial institutions and merchants globally. Marketing Services is the team within Services that develops and executes the marketing programs that help our clients achieve their marketing goals. The Advisors Creative Desk sits within Services and is responsible for ideating and creating engaging, forward-thinking, on-brand content solutions that connect our advertising partners, platforms, and our portfolio of brands.
The Creative Strategy Manager develops data-driven brand and communication strategies, translating consumer and market insight into clear direction for creative teams. Working across multiple briefs, the role leads and supports strategy team members while partnering with creative teams and clients to align thinking and guide effective creative outcomes.
Role
• As Creative Strategy Manager, you are responsible for developing brand, creative and communication strategies for our clients that align to the brand and objectives, factoring in data informed insights
• You will ensure the smooth handover and understanding of the creative strategy to the respective Creative Managers, jointly briefing the creative development team to enable execution
• Co-leading creative ideation sessions with the Creative Managers for larger client projects of strategic importance, and being active and available to guide the creative team and interface with the client on such projects through to completion as needed
• Supporting the Creative Managers with smaller client project creative ideation sessions as needed.
• Managing multiple briefs and projects at one time
• Input to estimating, negotiating, and agreeing on budgets and timescales with Creative Project Managers.
• Working alongside the Creative Project Managers and Creative Solutioning vertical to align on business priorities to best utilize your skills.
• Liaise with Advisors Research Centre and local ACS team as needed to obtain market intel and client nuances.
• Continually keep abreast of marketing and in-market trends regarding both consumer behaviors, creative and media trends.
All About You
• Minimum of 10 years’ strategic experience within leading advertising agencies, preferably within global network agencies, currently holding a role such as Strategy Director, Group Strategy Director or above.
• Demonstrated success in leading and delivering high-impact, big-budget integrated marketing campaigns.
• Proven expertise in developing comprehensive brand strategies, campaign planning, and managing full-funnel customer journeys across diverse channels, including ATL, BTL, digital, and direct marketing.
• Proven experience managing senior level client and internal stakeholders
• Track record of influencing award-winning creative outcomes through strategic guidance.
• Strong understanding of consumer behavior, market research, and competitive analysis; proficient in engaging and briefing external research agencies, translating insights and data into actionable strategies.
• Adept at defining client briefs and presenting concepts back to clients, drawing on research and data
• Strong conceptual thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate ideas effectively.
• Skilled at working under pressure
• Bachelor's degree required; advanced qualifications such as a Master's degree in Marketing, Creative Communications, or MBA highly preferred.
• Must be open and available to travel as needed.
• Proficiency in English; additional languages are a plus, with Arabic considered a strong advantage.
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