Strategy Director – Communications & Media

About the role

dentsu X, the media agency within dentsu, is looking for a Strategy Director to lead communications and media strategy for a portfolio of high-profile retail and FMCG clients. The role shapes strategies for some of the UK's most recognised brands, taking ownership from the initial brief through activation, measurement and learning, and balances long-term brand growth with immediate commercial priorities.

Key responsibilities

• Lead communications and media strategy from annual planning and major campaign briefs through to activation and evaluation.
• Define the core insight, audience, customer journey and role of channels, connecting paid, owned and earned touchpoints.
• Translate business and marketing objectives into clear, insight-led and measurable strategies.
• Act as a trusted strategic partner to clients, challenging constructively and strengthening client partnerships.
• Work closely with planning, investment, digital, data, analytics, commerce, creative and specialist teams to turn strategy into execution.
• Define success measures with analytics and effectiveness teams and use performance insights and post-campaign learning to improve future planning.
• Contribute to dentsu X's strategic culture through thought leadership, new business, award entries and mentoring more junior team members.

Required profile

• Experience in communications or media strategy, with a strong track record of solving complex business challenges and influencing senior clients.
• Strong understanding of how brands grow and how media supports brand and performance objectives.
• Experience building trusted senior client relationships and managing multiple strategic workstreams.
• Experience in retail, FMCG, alcohol or home improvement categories is helpful but not essential.

Required skills

• Strong audience and insight skills, combining market research, behavioural data, cultural insight and other evidence.
• Strong analytical, storytelling and presentation skills.
• Fresh ideas about the changing media landscape, including digital, commerce, emerging platforms and technology.

What we offer

• A permanent, full-time position at the UK head office in London with a hybrid working arrangement.
• Private medical insurance, 24/7 virtual GP, sick-pay policy, wellbeing days and volunteering time.
• Flexible bank-holiday swaps, retail discounts, gym access and tech schemes.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and carers leave, extended sick leave, menopause and baby-loss support, plus 10 fertility treatment days.
• Life assurance, income protection, financial education tools and flexible savings options.