Strategy Director (12-month Fixed Term Contract)

Jones Knowles Ritchie (JKR) is a branding business, founded in 1990 and proudly independent ever since.

We started out in the world of packaging, but now we're worldwide; from three founders, to more than 320 of us across the UK and USA. Together, we build and deliver brands across the entire consumer experience.

But even more important than what we do, is why we do it. We're here to inspire brands and people to be their true selves. To be brave. Be tenacious. And above all, be yourself. Because we believe that's the only way to truly be distinctive, everywhere.

At JKR, strategy exists to unlock creativity. We make brands distinctive everywhere, and our strategy team works hand in hand with design to find what makes a brand unmistakably itself, then bring it to life across every touchpoint. Strategists at JKR sit at the heart of how work gets made: shaping the thinking, inspiring the creative, and leading clients through it.

We're currently looking for an experienced Strategy Director to join JKR London on a 12-month fixed-term contract , covering a period of maternity leave. You'll take the strategic lead on longstanding, high-profile accounts, running senior client relationships independently and representing JKR's thinking at the most senior level.

The Strategy Director's role is to lead, manage and deliver strategic projects, translating clients' business and brand priorities, along with cultural and category insights, into opportunities for the brand. They support creative development through strong interdepartmental collaboration, inspiring creative and design teams as the voice of the consumer, ensuring work is strategically aligned, while building close relationships with client teams.

Requirements

• 8+ years of brand strategy experience, with at least 2 years operating at Strategy Director level or equivalent scope
• Background in a branding, design or creative agency environment, with brand and design strategy as your core discipline
• Demonstrable FMCG/CPG category experience, ideally including food, beverage or snacking brands
• A portfolio of work spanning global markets and senior client stakeholders
• Strong working knowledge of how branding and design strategy can solve business challenges, and how brands can activate across all touchpoints
• Exceptional narrative-writing skills, able to distil complex information into clear, compelling stories that inspire clients and creative teams
• Skilled at writing simple, clear and inspirational briefs for creative and design
• A confident and influential presenter, comfortable delivering pitches and client presentations
• Strong project management and organisational skills, with an eye for detail
• Available to commit to a 12-month fixed-term contract starting September 2026

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Lively Shoreditch studio location
• Hybrid working policy, minimum 2 days per week in the London studio
• Bupa Healthcare, including dental option
• ️ Income protection & life insurance
• Classpass credits
• Group personal pension
• 25 days holiday + time given at Christmas and New Year
• ☀️ Summer Fridays x 2
• Birthday day off

After probation:

• Season ticket loan
• Cycle to work scheme
• Enhanced parental leave policies
• Referral scheme for new hires
• 2 weeks work from anywhere, by agreement with line manager