Senior Director, Strategy

ROLE:   SENIOR DIRECTOR, STRATEGY

TEAM: STRATEGY

LOCATION:   TORONTO, ON (HYBRID - 2 DAYS ONSITE WEEKLY)

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Salt is a North American marketing agency that creates connected experiences through creative, digital & media innovation. 

Our mission is to “Earn the World’s Attention” and Salt is built to find, develop, execute, and amplify the ideas that are worthy of our clients’ audiences. We’ve structured our agency to do what’s right for our clients – to connect different perspectives, to work across mediums, and to focus on delivering meaningful, effective results. 

We’re committed to living up to the values in our name. “Salt of The Earth” means we value collaborative, humble, hard-working people here. We’re looking for people who are as smart as they are kind because we believe the right talent and the right culture help us do what’s right for our clients.   

ROLE OVERVIEW

We are looking for a   Senior Director, Strategy   to lead strategic thinking across multiple client portfolios and creative pods.

This role is responsible for setting the   strategic direction, standards and ambition for the Strategy team — ensuring our work translates human insight, culture and behaviour into ideas that drive both   creative impact and commercial results .

The Senior Director will act as a   senior partner to Creative, Accounts and Clients , shaping the thinking behind the work — from defining the real problem to crafting inspiring briefs and guiding ideas through execution.

You will oversee the development of   insight-led strategies, creative briefs, audience and cultural POVs, connections strategies and measurement frameworks that ensure every program is grounded in behaviour change and designed to move people to act.

This role requires someone who can   simplify complexity, sharpen the thinking, and inspire great creative work .

The Senior Director is both a   strategic leader and cultural catalyst — someone who elevates the work, develops the team, and helps clients see new opportunities for growth.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the   strategic direction across multiple clients and creative pods
• Define and uphold the   quality bar for strategic thinking and output
• Ensure strategy consistently identifies the   real business problem and human tension
• Guide the development of   insights, strategy narratives and opportunity territories
• Translate complex inputs into   clear, simple strategic direction
• Ensure all work connects   human behaviour, cultural relevance and commercial impact

Creative Partnership

• Act as a   senior strategic partner to Creative leadership
• Develop   creative strategies and briefs that inspire great ideas
• Help shape ideas from   concept through execution
• Provide strategic feedback that   strengthens the work, not slows it down
• Champion work internally and externally by grounding ideas in   human truth and strategic clarity

Client Leadership

• Serve as a   senior strategic voice in client relationships
• Lead high-level strategic conversations with senior client stakeholders
• Present compelling strategy narratives that connect   insight, idea and business impact
• Help clients reframe challenges and uncover   new growth opportunities

Connections Strategy

• Lead the development of   behaviour-led connections strategies
• Define   channel roles, consumer triggers and influence points across the journey
• Ensure strategy integrates   media, creative, commerce, retail and experiential
• Guide teams in mapping   how ideas travel across platforms and moments

Team Leadership & Development

• Collaborate with a team of senior strategists
• Foster a culture of   curiosity, collaboration, creativity and strategic rigor
• Be part of a team known for   clarity of thinking, strong briefs and inspiring insights
• Encourage experimentation and   new approaches to strategic thinking

Business Growth

• Lead strategy on   new business pitches and opportunities
• Identify areas for   organic client growth and expanded partnerships
• Contribute to the evolution of Salt’s   Experiential Commerce™ strategic offering
• Help position Salt as a   strategic thought leader with clients and in the industry

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

• 7-10+ years of experience in   strategy, planning, connections planning, or integrated marketing
• Experience leading   strategy across complex, integrated marketing programs
• Proven ability to turn   insights and human truths into inspiring creative strategy
• Strong experience connecting   culture, behaviour and commerce
• Deep understanding of   media ecosystems, consumer journeys and modern marketing channels
• Strong   creative briefing and idea development experience
• Exceptional   storytelling and presentation skills
• Experience leading   senior client relationships and strategic conversations
• Experience collaborating and mentoring high-performing strategy teams
• Ability to simplify complexity into   clear strategic direction

MINDSET & LEADERSHIP QUALITIES

The ideal candidate:

• Finds the real problem rather than accepting the assignment
• Is relentlessly curious about   people, culture and behaviour
• Thinks in   ideas and opportunities — not just analysis
• Believes strategy should   inspire creativity, not constrain it
• Has the confidence to   make decisions and take a point of view
• Is comfortable navigating   ambiguity and complexity
• Brings both   creative instinct and commercial pragmatism
• Raises the ambition of the work while helping teams   focus on what matters most

PERKS & BENEFITS THAT SET US APART

We don’t just talk about balance, growth, and culture, we build for it:  

• Work-Life Flexibility: Hybrid setup, up to 28 paid days off, winter holiday shutdowns.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Health, dental, and vision plans, plus Salt Bucks to spend on what matters to you—wellness, RRSPs, or extra time off.  
• Growth-Driven Culture: Dedicated Salt Days, top-tier learning access, and formal leadership development.  
• Celebration-First Mentality: Legendary team trips, seasonal socials, and Salt Swag that reps your squad.  
• Real Rewards: Referral and new business bonuses, exclusive lifestyle perks, and personalized wellness options.  
• Culture of Belonging: DEI programs, active ERGs, and a workplace where every voice counts.  

WHAT WE STAND FOR   

• Salt of the Earth: We lead with humility, honesty, and heart—always.  
• Do What’s Right: No shortcuts. We choose integrity over ease, every time. 
• Earn Your Salt: We roll up our sleeves, chase results, and celebrate the journey. 
• Make Things Better: We’re solution-seekers, always pushing for smarter ways forward. 
• Seek Different Perspectives: Diversity fuels our thinking. Inclusion drives our impact.  

Salt XC is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting and retaining the most qualified employees regardless of race, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age or disability.

#2 FASTEST GROWING