Strategy Director

Barrows is a commerce experience agency dedicated to building the world’s leading experiences for brands and retailers. We combine creativity, strategy, and technology to turn moments of shopper engagement into moments of conversion. From shopper marketing and category transformation to retail toolkits, display design, CX strategy, and store design, we deliver end-to-end solutions that don’t just meet expectations, they reset them.

Backed by the scale and innovation of VML and WPP, we bring clients access to the best tools, technology, and talent as a sustainable competitive advantage. What sets us apart is not just what we deliver, but how we deliver it: a global team united by a can do spirit, relentless curiosity, and the belief that remarkable commerce experiences can transform both brands and the people who shop them.

Role & Responsibilities

Barrows is looking for a Strategy Director with 8 years of retail, shopper and/or marketing experience to join our dynamic team in New York. Strategists are at the core of everything we do at Barrows. They ground our most complex projects, turning research and data into actionable insights then translating how that comes to life for the shopper. Equally analytical and creative, they have a love for solving problems in new and exciting ways. They are logical, methodical and measured with their approach, always with a story rooted in insights.

Did someone say story? On the flip side, our strategists are our hero storytellers- they’re passionate about the when why, bringing this to life through epic presentations that set Barrows apart. They thrive in our high-paced environment and have a passion for getting inside the mind of the shopper (whether online, in-store, in the bar or just about anywhere else) to inform the strategies we bring to life. We’re looking for a thought leader, and strategic powerhouse to help lead the department into our next stage of growth and success.

We are looking for the right person with the right attitude:

• Manage day to day creative strategy, direction and execution around all core projects and client programs.
• Collaborate with Senior Client Partnership and Creative leadership to deliver and streamline strategic vision through to execution with creative delivery across our portfolio.
• Embrace the role of thought leader, owning every room (virtual or physical), being a true partner to every client team as an industry persona and Barrows senior leader
• Communicate strategic visions to clients; help clients socialize strategy to their greater organization
• Navigate, research and distill brand, consumer, shopper and category data to infer critical and actionable insights that dictate strategic vision
• Exhibit a deep understanding of the US retail landscape inclusive and nationwide channel variation with nuanced knowledge around top retailers in the marketplace
• Own the development of data and insight-driven strategic objectives and creative conceptualization and execution
• Collaborate, and inspire inter-agency partners, bringing a deep understanding of end-to-end strategy from ATL to BTL, ensuring Barrows is driving shelf-back programming and ideas where possible
• Spearhead and engage in thought-leadership, business development conversations and regular presentations to clients
• Manage strategists as direct reports with a vision, empathy and the tools needed for them to succeed

Qualifications

• 8 years of agency and/or strategy experience in brand, trade or shopper marketing or category management/sales
• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• Superior storytelling ability with excellent presentation skills
• Polished writing ability with professional tone
• Experience developing category or retailer led BTL programming, retail strategy, and shopper journeys strongly preferred
• Bring forth a passion for the psychology behind how and why shoppers make purchase decisions
• Exhibit a deep understanding of the US retail landscape, inclusive of channel variation and top retailers in the marketplace
• Toolkit and BTL experience preferred
• Shopper experience and holistic 360-degree planning preferred
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, while working quickly against short deadlines
• Ability to work in the New York office 4 days per week - Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday being anchor days

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this role is $125,000 to $175,000*

*exact compensation will be determined based on individual experience

Benefits include:

• Unlimited PTO
• Medical, Dental, Vision (with an option for free medical care!)
• 401K with a % match
• Various maternity/paternity leave options
• Fully funded disability and life insurance options
• Headspace subscription
• Wellness Stipend
• and more....