Reporting to a unit of Strategic Planning Managers in Dubai and the Regional Head of Strategic Planning in MENA, FP7/DXB in Dubai is looking for an Arabic-speaking Senior Strategist to be a key part of its growing strategy network.

We believe the strategy is a culture; not a department. So, we’re looking for candidates who are strategically attuned (not necessarily with a strategist title). You could be an account person, a strategist, a creative, a researcher or a data analyst. Or you could even be a young marketer. Importantly, you’d want to be able to actively contribute to and be a part of a strategic culture (not just a strategic department).

We believe human truths and insights are key. So, you need to enjoy being a closet anthropologist and be able to demonstrate on a consistent basis the keenness to uncover untold truths and inspire the creative, brand management and client servicing teams – through innovative means (beyond the oft-trodden focus groups).

Effectiveness is part of our DNA. So, the candidate needs to – on a day-to-day basis – want to be involved in creating that works and meets/surpasses the client’s brand and business goals. We don’t create work for awards. We create work that works and hence, wins awards. We’ve been one of the Most Effective Agencies in the World for that reason. And some of our strategists have gotten recognition on global platforms for that reason too. The candidate should, therefore, want to contribute to the agency’s goal of being consistently voted the Most Effective Agency in the Region and in the World. And towards strategy being the key drivers behind creative reputation.

We like unconventional thinkers who strive to create strategic ideas beyond the obvious – challenging both the agency and the client. So, the candidate needs to be able to demonstrate thinking capability to do exactly that.

Of course, you need to be able to convince and sell your work to creatives and help them sell their work to clients and help consumers believe and be moved by that work to lead to brand/business success.

Specific tasks (but hey, our job’s dynamic and these keep changing!)

Write inspiring creative briefs - from problem to audience to truths to strategic provocations.
Support and co-create the campaign lifecycle from brief to execution, with inspiration and examples.
Brainstorm and develop ideas by aggregating key data and research.
Support the Planning team to evaluate the effectiveness of work produced.
Lead insight gathering (focus groups, one-on-ones, social insights, surveys).
Take on projects and certain pitches independently; with the guidance of the team.
Implement and embrace all strategic methods and programs.
Present strategies and research findings in a professional and consistent manner with clients and internal audiences.

Empathic – A very important trait for a good strategist
Curious, Honest, Courageous, with Integrity and Ethics
Arabic is a MUST
Be able to present confidently to clients and sell work
Research and insights-oriented
Collaborative
Analytical yet Creatively-driven
Organizationally solid when it comes to one’s own project management
Strong written/verbal communication