September surge, sustainability rise & Senior Strategist revival

Hi everyone,

 Welcome to my latest planning and strategy market update. As always, I’ll be sharing insights, trends, and the latest buzz in recruitment. Let’s dive in.

 A promising September on the horizon!

The month kicks off on a positive note: with children back in school, our decision-makers are back in the office, and briefs are beginning to emerge. Over the past month,  conversations with various agencies have given a glimpse into their plans for September and the months to come as it becomes clear what clients are likely to sign off.

 One creative insights consultancy has notably been in overdrive. They hint that their ongoing projects with FMCG giants and drink conglomerates will feed into marcomms plans by Q1. So even with a quiet period recently, they’re predicting a busy 2024.

 On the hiring front, while some agencies are scouting for replacements, others are ambitiously expanding. The hot disciplines are brand design, retail, and content & social strategy, especially roles hovering around the senior strategist and director levels.

Sustainability and Brand-Purpose: Charting the Future

The magnetic pull of sexy blue-chips once dominated the aspirations of mid-weight planning and strategy talent. But times are changing. There’s a palpable shift as candidates move from big brand creative agencies to consultancies focused on sustainability and brand purpose.

 A recent chat with a strategy director, fresh from their Masters in sustainability and marketing, was enlightening. The conversation highlighted the value of brand purpose and sustainability in future acquisition strategies coupled with advances in modern technology to give brands a competitive edge. The takeaway? Gear up your teams in these areas. As the regulatory environment tightens, these are crucial skills needed for navigating business challenges.

Exec Strategists: Eager to get back to coal face

There’s a resurgence of senior exec strategists seeking director-level roles. Far from fading, this trend suggests seasoned strategists are eager for a hands-on role. The catalyst? They are keen on achieving that sweet spot between professional passion and work-life harmony. Agencies, take note: now’s the time to embrace and champion these experienced game-changers.

🤩This month I'd love to highlight an experienced and extremely talented Strategy Director on my books. His expertise lies in driving creative & pragmatic solutions at the intersection of marketing, culture and technology. He's looking for his next home

🛠️ Hands On: End-to-end dedication, from unpicking the brief to final delivery

💡 Big Thinker: B2C/B2B, brand strategy, journey planning to comms

🥇Digital Pro: Connects the dots across product service & comms

 🤝 People-shaped: Picture a Strategist who gels with teams, gains trust from clients, and inspires creative. That's them!

 🧳Diverse Portfolio: Global, healthcare, Tech, Retail, telco, beauty, FMCG, and more.

 💰Investment: £100k per annum / would consider temp - £500 per day

📅 Availability: Mid Oct

 📲Looking for strategy experts like this who not only deliver for your clients but drive agency growth? Email me - lisa@wildsquirrelrecruitment.co.uk or drop me a DM

FREELANCE

On the September freelance scene, there's a clear trend towards content and social media gigs. In general, B2B, CRM, and shopper/retail Strategists are always in demand and even more so with experience in tech, booze, fashion and beauty Rates range £400-£600 per day (depending on level)

PERMANENT

A Brand & Design studio is on the hunt for a Head of Strategy. They're after someone creative, adept at telling inspirational stories, knows their way around packaging, and has experience in beers and spirits - Salary £95k + equity

You'll find current roles on the jobs page on my website and new opportunities are posted on LinkedIn as they come in.

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Every day, I post on LinkedIn with tips and insights everything from work culture to new roles, so if you're interested in planning and strategy recruitment, I'd love to hear from you and stay in touch

Thanks,