strategist /
account planner
location
MKE, NSH, or PDX
role description
Manifesto is seeking a driven, passionate and curious Strategist/Planner who lives for uncovering human insights, trends and cultural phenomena to inform our creative approach. This role will work with multiple teams across the agency leading research, interviews, focus groups and client immersion sessions.
Reporting to the Director of Strategy, the candidate will thrive working in a fast-paced environment, leading complex problem solving and working to quickly “get under the hood” of our brand partners, with the chance to affect the course of many of the agency’s projects. As both a left-brained and right-brained thinker, the successful candidate will have the ability to mine key insights, as well as develop audience segmentation and persona work, create brand messaging and framework development, and articulate compelling creative briefs to inform our work.
As a curious consumer of emerging trends, technology and culture, the Strategist/Planner will help bring clarity, brevity and simplification to complex business challenges.
This role will also help to support and drive new business through consulting and championing these services to existing and new agency accounts.
primary responsibilities
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Planning research and discovery for both prospective and existing clients
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Leading focus groups and interviews with key stakeholders
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Managing quantitative research and partners
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Participating/leading whiteboard and brainstorming sessions with clients
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Audience segmentation and persona development
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Brand values development
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Brand strategy, positioning, messaging and narrative development
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Trend tracking and cultural insight development
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Involvement in writing/creating strategy and content for RFP responses
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Agency thought leadership content development
key characteristics
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Innate curiosity for both the bigger picture and the micro-level detail
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The ability to think on your feet and juggle multiple projects
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An entrepreneurial and ingenious attitude
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An appetite for learning and embracing differing perspectives
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Cultural relevance and knowledge of emerging trends and technology across key verticals
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Hunger for what’s next and new; not just in culture, but new mediums, channels and design
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Self reliant; as a nimble team, we’re all doers, and often work with quick turnaround times and tight deadlines
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The ability to collaborate and use (sometimes limited) tools, resources and partners to accomplish project or organizational goals
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Positivity and can-do attitude required, calm and collected in the face of pressures
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Whip smart, yet humble
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Obsessive attention to detail
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A sense of humor, and the ability to not take oneself too seriously
qualifications & background
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Bachelor's Degree
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A proven track record in developing research and strategic plans
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A good knowledge of the media and how strategy planning influences it
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills
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The ability to make complex subjects understandable
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The flexibility to work over a number of projects and balance a broad workload
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Demonstrated written, presentation, analysis, verbal and critical thinking skills
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Proficiency with Apple products, as well as Google Suite
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5 years+ experience with branding and campaign strategy
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Experience using and deploying multiple research tools and systems
compensation & benefits
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Salary + annual profit sharing bonus potential
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Health insurance
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401K
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Generous PTO and vacation policies, half-day summer Fridays (June-August)
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Paid holidays + additional week off between Christmas and New Years
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Values-driven, laid-back culture focused on work-life balance, personal freedom and accountability
how to apply