Associate Director, Creative Strategy

Job Title: Associate Director of Creative Strategy DACH (Contract)

Work Location: Berlin (Remote First but need to be able to come into office when needed)

Start Date: As soon as possible

Duration: This is a 12 month contract

Named one of WorkLife’s 50 Best Places to Work and one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, Whalar Group is a global creator company on a mission to liberate the creative voice.

Creators are at the heart of everything we do! We are a curious, diverse team of 300 individuals around the world who are passionate about the Creator Economy. Our proximity, understanding, and trust of creators evolved into a first-of-its-kind creator ecosystem. Under Whalar Group, there are six companies: Whalar, a global creator agency; Sixteenth, a full-service, 360° creator and talent management company; Foam, a suite of AI tools, templates, and services; Moby Ventures, a creator-centric venture studio; Umi Games, a groundbreaking gaming studio; and The Lighthouse, an IRL campus for creators and their teams.

About the role:

Our German business in DACH is growing and so we are looking for an experienced Germany-based Associate Director of Creative Strategy to inspire, plan, and execute creator-first visions for brands in the DACH region. 

Reporting directly to the Managing Director DACH, you'll play a creative & strategic leadership role, consistently pushing creative boundaries and staying ahead in the continuously evolving landscape of social media, creative advertising, and effectiveness in the creator economy.

In addition to leading strategy across key client/new business pitches and shaping innovative campaigns, you'll also pioneer thought leadership in the creator economy. This role is an opportunity to be part of the team leading the future of creator-first creative strategy. 

Here’s what you’ll do day-to-day: 

• Lead and create compelling, creator-led creative and social strategies rooted in actionable insights for key new business pitches 
• Provide creative and strategic guidance to key accounts, collaborating with the Managing Director DACH and the regional team to identify creative strategy upsell opportunities and enhance existing relationships.
• Unpack client briefs, identifying the exact strategic outcome and what is required to achieve it
• Proactively generate original, insight-driven strategic ideas, challenging and inspiring creative thinking for Whalar clients.
• Identify and develop community and creator strategy in collaboration with Research & Insight, Client Services. Oversee creator briefings to ensure on-strategy creative output from creators.
• Lead productive and inspiring brainstorms and ideation sessions both internally and externally.
• Use measured campaign outcomes to continually inform and refine future strategies and ideas
• Stay abreast of emerging social media trends, technologies, and platforms, integrating them strategically into projects and proactive thought leadership
• Collaborate cross-functionally with teams like Paid Media, Measurement & Analytics, Creator Partnerships, and Client Services to develop comprehensive client solutions and ensure our creative strategic visions come to life throughout the execution process 

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Minimum of 5-6 years experience in creative, social media, and content strategy, with 3+ years of experience in a senior role directly leading a team
• Fluency in social media platforms and their unique dynamics, including extensive knowledge of user behaviors and platform best practices 
• Meticulous, culturally rooted creative thinker and practitioner with an eye for upcoming trends.
• Strong analytical skills; comfortable transforming sets of data into actionable insights
• Passion and experience in the creator economy and ecosystem and its evolving landscape 
• Experienced at pitching, and confident when presenting to clients and team members
• You thrive in an environment where collaboration, flexibility and scrappiness are valued
• You have outstanding interpersonal skills, a relentless work ethic, a spirit of collaboration, and a ‘roll up your sleeves’ mentality with the flexibility to support any size project
• Must be a native German speaker and professionally fluent in English (speaking and writing capabilities).

Our values:

At Whalar Group, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) isn't just a statement, it's our collective strength. Our people are our superpower. A diverse team and inclusive leadership have shaped Whalar Group since our inception in 2016, fueling a constant evolution of growth. We champion a culture of respect and empathy, fostering a sense of belonging that transcends demographics. We hire individuals of all backgrounds and empower them to thrive, challenge stereotypes, and actively break societal barriers. Learn more. 

Our benefits and perks:

Whalar Group provides flexible benefits and collaborative work environments and experiences so employees can work productively in a setting that best and uniquely suits their needs.

• 25 days of PTO + winter break
• Monthly phone/internet reimbursement
• Professional development stipend
• New joiner home office allowance 
• Calm App subscription (add up to 4 dependents)
• Volunteer days
• Social programs

Whalar Group provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Equal opportunity extends to all aspects of the employment relationship, including hiring, promotions, training, working conditions, compensation, and benefits.