Research and Creative Strategist

Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced and innovative Hybrid Researcher & Strategist who combines the analytical rigor of a marketing researcher with the visionary thinking of an advertising strategist. This role is perfect for a candidate with a passion for uncovering what makes audiences tick and translating those insights into creative strategies that drive impactful, audience-focused creative briefs and resulting campaigns. As a key contributor, you will lead research-driven creative strategy development by designing and executing research methodologies, distilling findings into actionable insights, and crafting powerful creative briefs. You’ll collaborate closely with brand and creative teams, ensuring all campaigns are grounded in data-driven insights while remaining imaginative and compelling.The ideal candidate thrives on turning complex data into simple, inspiring ideas and is comfortable working autonomously to manage multiple, large-scale strategic initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

Research Design and Execution

• Design and execute qualitative and quantitative research learning plans to uncover key audience insights, market trends, and competitive opportunities.
• Identify and manage research vendors throughout project – from contract and budget logistics to questionnaire/discussion guide, fielding and reporting
• Synthesize and interpret data to identify behavioral drivers, consumer motivations, and cultural shifts.
• Present actionable insights through clear, visually compelling reports to inform creative strategy and decision-making.
• Act as a trusted advisor to creative teams, offering research-backed perspectives that elevate the quality and effectiveness of deliverables.

Creative Strategy Development:

• Lead the development of creative strategies for integrated 360-degree advertising campaigns, ensuring alignment with marketing objectives, business goals, and research findings.
• Author impactful creative briefs, including audience profiles, message/communication matrices and journey maps, that inspire innovative concepts and executions.
• Leverage social listening, market data, and proprietary research to refine audience understanding and drive campaign relevance.
• Provide ongoing strategic guidance during the brainstorming, concepting, and execution phases of creative development.
• Partner with creative, brand to align research insights with campaign objectives and creative outputs.
• Leads social media and digital strategy planning, integrating insights to create cohesive upper- to mid-funnel campaigns.

Other: 

• Collaborates across creative, brand management, and project management teams to ensure strategies align with research insights and marketing objectives.
• Provides research-backed strategic guidance to creative teams during brainstorming, concept development, and executional phases.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Research Expertise: Proficient in designing and conducting qualitative and quantitative research, including surveys, focus groups, and data analysis.
• Creative & Analytical Balance: Ability to integrate creative intuition with research-backed evidence to inform strategies.
• Storytelling: Skilled in crafting compelling narratives that connect dots between data, insights and creative opportunities and presenting them effectively to senior stakeholders.
• Collaborative Mindset: Builds strong relationships with cross-functional teams and inspires confidence in creative processes.
• Marketing Knowledge: Deep understanding of advertising strategy, account planning, and the creative development lifecycle.
• Project Management: Adept at managing multiple work streams, ensuring timely and high-quality deliverables.
• Trend Awareness: Sharp awareness of cultural, societal, and industry trends that influence consumer behavior and campaign relevance.

Education & Experience:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Advertising, Communications, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• 10+ years of combined experience in market research, account planning, and/or creative strategy.
• Proven track record of developing insights-driven creative briefs and guiding successful integrated campaigns.
• Experience working in advertising agencies or in-house agencies is required.

The target hiring compensation range for this role is $35 to $40. Compensation is based on several factors including, but not limited to education, relevant work experience, relevant certifications, and location.

About Aquent Talent:

Aquent Talent connects the best talent in marketing, creative, and design with the world’s biggest brands.

Our eligible talent get access to amazing benefits like subsidized health, vision, and dental plans, paid sick leave, and retirement plans with a match. We also offer free online training through Aquent Gymnasium. More information on our awesome benefits! 

Aquent is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. We’re about creating an inclusive environment—one where different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued, and everyone can contribute, grow their careers, and thrive.