ABOUT COMPANY
Formed in 2008, operating across 70+ markets, CROWD.DNA brings together trends specialists, researchers, strategists, data analysts, designers, writers and film-makers for the world's most exciting brands.
Our values are tangible and connect with every member of the Crowd DNA team, regardless of their role or how long they've been with us. We believe they reflect how we wish to work with each other and with our clients and contributors.
Simple Is Always Best: that's it, avoid the temptation to overcomplicate.
Better Blended: we're not lone wolves, we work fluidly between ideas, specialisms, methods - and agencies.
Make It Count: we show up for our work, for our clients, and, most importantly, for each other.
We believe fully in the power of our work to fuel our clients with the evidence, inspiration and recommendation they need to grow and prosper.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The key focus of the Senior Cultural Strategist is to support the wider team by running projects, feeding into new business proposals as and when needed, guiding junior members of the team, developing client relationships and producing deliverables to a high quality. This role translates cultural data into compelling narratives that drive business impact for clients across brand, category and business goals. The Senior Cultural Strategist will help build team capability by coaching colleagues through methodologies and storytelling, while pushing the boundaries with fresh approaches and challenging ideas. By owning projects end-to-end, building trust advisory partnerships, and spotting new commercial opportunities along the way, this role directly cements Crowd's reputation as a culturally-grounded strategic partner.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Knowledge & Craft
Apply frameworks strategically, selecting the most effective lens for each brief with Senior Lead support
Lead analysis, synthesize data into clear and compelling narratives
Shape debriefs, strengthening story arcs and client relevance
Generate strategic recommendations linking cultural insight to brand, category and business impact
Develop and champion new approaches, tools and methodologies that elevate team thinking
Coach colleagues across analysis, methodologies and storytelling craft with genuine expertise
Delivery
Oversee projects end-to-end with some support
Manage multiple simultaneous workstreams with clear prioritization and calm communication
Anticipate risks early and leads proactive solutions independently
Contribute to proposal writing - designing approaches and owning lower-cost proposal delivery
Improve ways of working through refined templates, structures and processes
Influence & Growth
Act as a trusted client partner, leading conversations and presentations with confidence
Influence team direction through strong, informed prove of value
Mentor junior team members, provides constructive feedback and builds their confidence
Sets a positive, inclusive, collaborative and solutions-focused tone for team culture
Represent Crowd DNA confidently, across teams, S7, training and starts to shape thought leadership
Begin to identify commercial opportunities - follow-ups, cross-specialism work, etc.
SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES
Essential
Curious about culture, people and brands; genuine enthusiasm for understanding behaviour and trends
Demonstrated experience in insights, strategy or cultural research with confident-level on qualitative research or mixed methods methodologies
Experience running IDIs, focus groups, and in person ethnographies (a plus)
Commercial mindset; understanding how research drives business value
Proven ability to engage with all phases of project research which have commercial value
Organized and able to juggle multiple projects, meet deadlines and work under pressure, maintaining quality
Demonstrated ownership of workload management, prioritization and responsibility for raising resource issues
Able to develop team capability through mentoring, and knowledge sharing on analysis, methodologies and strategic storytelling
Confidence in start building trusted client relationships
Ability to work autonomously, take initiative during workload peaks and support wider team development
Desirable
Experience developing innovative research approaches and introducing creativity to challenge conventional thinking
Openness to learn and develop new methodologies, quantitative skills and emerging innovation practices
BENEFITS
The role comes with a competitive band of $83,000 - $99,000 and clear paths to promotion and to new opportunities. Benefits include:
15 days of PTO plus 10 nationally-observed US holidays per year
Early Finish Fridays throughout the whole year
3 discretionary days on Christmas
3 days per week in the office (NY)
Monthly stipend for mobile phone
Commuter Benefits Program
Corporate-matched Safe Harbor 401k Plan (after 90 days of work)
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Long & Short-term disability insurance
Flexible Spending Account(s) for healthcare expenditures, dependent care and commute
Health Savings Account Program (HSA)
Company Paid Life Insurance $50,000
Voluntary Life Insurance
Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance and Accident Insurance
Educational Assistance Program: Up to $1500 for approved undergraduate/graduate college courses taken as part of a degree program at an accredited institution and for continuation educational expenses for professional associated, or at an accredited trade, vocational or business degree.
RECRUITMENT
The cycle involves:
1st Stage - 30 minutes - virtual interview
2nd Stage - 60 minutes - In the NY office - Task, Q&A and meet the team
Starting date - when possible
DISCLOSURE
STRAT7 is an Equal Opportunity Employer and our employees are people with different strengths, experiences and backgrounds, who share a passion for research. Our commitment to inclusivity is not just about race and gender identity, but also age, disability status, sexual orientation, religion and many other parts of one's identity. All of our employee's points of view are key to our success, and inclusion is everyone's responsibility.
