Job Description
ABOUT HAINES MCGREGOR
Haines is a growing independent Brand & Innovation Agency.
We combine strategic thinking with vibrant creativity to create growth.
Haines specialises in the FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) sector, with a focus on food & drink, working closely with a select group of major, forward-thinking companies including Carlsberg Group, Diageo, Beam Suntory, PepsiCo and Arla, to shape some of the world’s biggest brands.
Our work is varied, but can be grouped into three types of project…
1 | Brand Positioning
Defining and designing the brand’s offering and image to occupy a distinctive place in the mind of their target. We combine conceptual thinking with standout design to give brands a clear and competitive point of view, with creative guidance across an array of real-world touchpoints, delivered to our clients in impactful digital toolkits and brand bibles.
2 | Innovation
This means spotting new opportunities for brands to stay relevant in a constantly changing world. We stay close to trends, identify opportunities, develop new product ideas and visualise them in a way that can capture a real-life experience, for testing in research or handing on to a packaging agency for design detailing and artworking.
3 | How to Win
This means using storytelling and creativity to breathe life into a host of other growth-orientated internal initiatives such as audience segmentation, defining innovation processes and shaping category strategy - making the complex, simple. We take our tools for consumer brand-building and apply them to internal initiatives, giving them the same visual impact as consumer-facing comms.
Our type of work means that we access and advise some of the most influential people in the business world, providing a unique perspective that is really valued. Our close senior partnerships and integrated teams mean that our creatives can shape the conversation from the start and gain unparalleled exposure from junior to director.
SENIOR STRATEGIST ROLE
Dependence + Independence
* Owning client relationships for projects: Taking overall responsibility with a holistic view of processes, deliverables, knowing when to seek support/guidance from Senior team members. Note, we do not have Account Managers or Client Services. The relationship of the client and organisation of the full projects, sits with the strategy team.
* Owning larger projects: Being the point person within the project team and proactively putting your hand up to lead workstreams, deliverables or specific meetings
* Creating your own opportunities: making the most of HMc’s independent spirit, to help push us and yourself forward - whether that’s client projects, internal initiatives, or self/team development
* Contributing to HMc growth: Playing an active role, including driving specific key account actions, contributing to marketing content, spotting growth opportunities & drafting full proposals
* Building your own profile within and beyond the agency: Looking for opportunities to write and share content externally, or speaking at agency events, starting to build your own personal style
Organisation + Creativity
* Sweating the small stuff for our clients: Being attuned to what’s going on for them (as part of their extended team) and knowing where to add extra value, whilst keeping an eye on profitability
* Applying HMc approach with confidence: Ability to dissect briefs and understand how to apply HMc tools, processes and ways of thinking to the challenge, sprinkling in a bit of your own magic
* Taking on first draft of the ‘big idea’ and/or how to organise the thinking: Owning the lateral step from distilled insight into strategic idea (e.g., platforms, brand frameworks, concept directions)
* Coherent creative briefing and managing collaboration: Developing strong written/verbal creative briefs, leading the internal collaboration, and proactively building/challenging on creative outputs
* Challenging and building on how we do things: Identifying areas we can further improve what we do, from strategic approaches and client management to internal processes and tools
Thought + Action
* Dictating the pace of projects or workstreams: For the projects or workstreams you own, being the person who moves it forwards and inspires/guides the rest of the team (and the client) to action, while also managing the efficiency and resource against the project to ensure profitability
* Delivering significant presentations with confidence: Cementing your own presentation style, knowing how to flex pace, tone and energy for different clients and different contexts
* Confident, thoughtful contribution to live questions and brainstorming: Voicing your opinions within on the spot discussion and debate to add value, also making space for Junior Strategists to do so
* Ability to stand back and edit effectively: Developing a critical eye for your own (and others’) writing, spotting how to elevate copy for more clarity and impact and being able to act on this
Work + Life
* Awareness of impact on others, both more senior and junior: Maintaining calm under pressure, being able to lift others up when needed and bringing the right energy to the room/call
* Balancing great client servicing with internal capacity/pressures: Knowing when to push back on clients and when to go the extra mile, with an eye on our internal capacity
* Empathy for team’s wellbeing and workload: Finding the right moments and ways to check in on teammates and being sensitive to their diaries/to-do lists, also when working with Junior Strategists
* Being curious about the wider world and applying that in a useful way: Being tapped into culture and consumer trends within and beyond our world, applying these to projects day-to-day
* Ultimately taking responsibility for your own development: Identifying and voicing any training you would like, keeping an eye on objectives and logging progress
Benefits
· Hybrid and flexible working location (WFH / Office based at The Hoxton, Southwark)
· Team breakfasts and socials
· 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays and Christmas shutdown
· Company pension scheme
· Budget towards home-working equipment (tech, office items etc.)
· Healthcare Cash Plan
· Travel Insurance for business and personal use
· Income Protection Insurance
· Life Insurance
· ‘Quiet Afternoon’ on Fridays from 1pm
· Office perks: free snacks, yoga/fitness classes, happy hours, food/beverage discounts at The Hoxton Hotel
· Discretionary bonus based on individual and company performance
Salary
Salary is £55K - £60K dependent on experience.
How to Apply
Email your CV and cover letter to