Associate Director of Strategy

FITCH, one of the world?s most renowned retail design and strategy firms is adding to it's global staff.  With more than 16 global studios in 10 countries, our firm specializes in design and strategy of all customer touch points ? product, environment, signage, packaging, trends forecasting, communications, etc.  We currently have an Associate Director of Strategy position open in our North American head quarters, Columbus, Ohio. 

 

JOB SUMMARY

 

The Strategy department at Fitch is responsible for creating Brand, Retail, Interactive and Product Development strategies in a collaborative manner alongside all other discipline and in the execution against that platform. All strategy associates contribute to this process. The Associate Director of Strategy is part of the Team Leadership ? works in conjunction with the Creative Director and the Account Director to lead the studio team.

 

The Associate Director of Strategy position is considered a working managerial position. The primary responsibilities:

o  Lead Strategist on major initiatives, including knowledge and experience in all aspects of consumer, client, and market condition research and insight development.

o  Manager and mentor primarily of strategists on team (reporting), but also with responsibilities for guiding other disciplines (non-reporting).

o  Manager directing strategic and creative output

oGuide, influence and execute project work: research methodologies, brainstorming, insight and recommendation development, and the visual representation/presentation for internal team and client.

oAssisting with the sales process: Procedures, Sales development including proposals and new biz meeting

oContributing to Thought Leadership

oCollective Responsibilities of Team Leaders: Manage the P&L; Work flow; boost team building and morale; Hiring/mentoring/review responsibilities; Meeting purpose and agenda development (team and project); maximize the strategic design process.

 

In support of the Strategy Director, the Associate Director of Strategy will mentor/manage the Strategy staff relevant to team placement; strengthen the strategic offer; continually strive to improve the process and quality of FITCH?s insights and deliverables; and, build the internal relationship between strategy and creative and the external communication of strategy-led design. 

 

Work directly with project/strategy team on all aspects of consumer-centered design: brand, environments, product, and digital. Develop and present Thought Leadership POVs, presentations, whitepapers, articles, etc. Work with Sales and Marketing in the sales pitch and proposal development process.

 

 

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

Manage/Mentor and Develop the Strategic Offer

1.  Function as overall strategy lead responsible for quality of work produced for clients

2.  Hone development and maintenance of top-notch skill sets within the studio team to support portfolio of work to be services.

3.  Builds the strategy expertise in identifying and translating consumer/market/brand insights into tangible directions for internal and client team.

4.  Embrace and challenge the strategic and design portions of the process.

5.  Provide the anecdotal examples and depth of knowledge for client and project teams.

6.  Work in conjunction with staff to identify new product offers/opportunities.

7.  Performs duties tied to Team Leader as described earlier.

 

Travel is required. 

 

QUALIFICATIONS / JOB KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS

 

Baccalaureate degree in business-related field, plus a minimum of 10 years? related work experience. MBA preferred, not required.

 

Good business aptitude, persistence, and creativity in searching for answers to research questions and client opportunities. Resourcefulness and strong self-initiative.

 

Ability to multi-task ? will very likely have several initiatives occurring at a given time.

 

Familiarity with human behavior and/or market research ? preparing innovative and traditional methodologies and work plans, working with research vendors, analysis and application of the findings, and report writing.

 

Good writing and communication skills, including familiarity with Excel, Word, and Internet research; and experience in proposal writing.  Client interaction, including face-to-face presentations and interviews, is common.

 

Able to work collaboratively: With the Consumer Environments, Brand Communications and Product Development teams to deliver insightful research. With Marketing, Sales and Department on Thought Leadership initiatives.

 

 

FITCH OFFERS

~  A scenic work environment located on our campus in Powell, Ohio

~  Excellent corporate medical, dental and vision benefits, plus 401(k), company paid sick and vacation time

~  A collaborative, evolving and energetic work team

~  An additional week of vacation each year when we close our offices from 12/25/06-1/2/07

~  World-wide corporate discounts on numerous consumer products produced by our clients

~  Excellent compensation commensurate with experience

 

 

Interested? 

Send your resume and compensation history to hr@fitch.com  and visit us online at www.fitch.com 

 

FITCH is an EOE & DFWP