Vice President of Creative Strategy

About Whalar

Whalar is a globally recognized, award-winning independent Creator and Social agency dedicated to transforming brands into cultural trendsetters by harnessing the creative potential of creators. With headquarters across London, Berlin, New York, and Los Angeles, Whalar focuses on innovative social and influencer strategies, utilizing advanced technology and methodologies to deeply connect brands with vibrant communities and cultural movements.

Role Overview

We seek an accomplished Vice President of Creative Strategy to lead and innovate the approach to securing new business. This role involves comprehensive ownership of the pitching process from inception to delivery, showcasing strategic and creative excellence. Reporting to the Head of Creative Strategy, the VP will operate with significant autonomy while collaborating closely with the VP of Creative Strategy for Clients to ensure smooth transitions from pitch to client relationships. The role emphasizes blending audience insights, human creativity, and emerging technologies including AI to craft transformative, community-grounded ideas.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead new business pitches end-to-end, ensuring alignment with Whalar's high standards for creativity and strategy.
• Evaluate incoming business opportunities, define strategic frameworks, develop creative directions, and guide interdisciplinary teams towards effective pitch solutions.
• Craft and maintain compelling strategic narratives that seamlessly connect insights to execution.
• Deliver presentations and advocate strategic proposals effectively to diverse audiences, ranging from brand managers to executive leadership.
• Collaborate in developing new offerings, products, and strategic capabilities anticipating client needs and fostering commercial growth.
• Continuously refine strategic development methods by integrating new tools, AI, and innovative workflows within the New Business team.
• Create participatory campaign ideas designed for active audience and creator engagement, fostering content remix and extension beyond initial launches.
• Identify and harness opportunities where AI and emerging technology enable novel storytelling, creativity, and production methods to deliver marketing advantages.
• Work alongside Creative, Creator Strategy, Measurement, Paid Media, and Client Services to unify pitch narratives.
• Partner with the VP of Creative Strategy for Clients to secure continuity from successful pitches through onboarding and strengthen business development assets.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 12 years in creative, social, and content strategy with over 5 years in leadership roles managing new business, pitch, or strategy teams.
• Proven success in leading and securing high-value new business through compelling presentation and leadership of pitches.
• Hands-on experience developing creator marketing campaigns aligned with the evolving creator economy.
• Deep understanding of the synergistic relationship between brand, product, and performance marketing disciplines.
• Superior presentation, storytelling, and executive communication skills capable of influencing stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Expertise in constructing strategic foundations for innovative ideas, including delivering insights, positioning, creative territories, and narratives.
• Systems-thinking approach with experience creating scalable frameworks and repeatable strategic methodologies that drive sustainable business results.
• Ability to originate and implement structure and processes where none exist.
• Comprehensive knowledge of creator culture, interactive communities, and modern digital ecosystems dynamics.
• Passionate about the creator economy with insightful views on its future trajectory.
• Strong curiosity and informed perspectives on AI and emerging technologies as they relate to marketing creativity and innovation.
• Preferred experience in creator/influencer marketing or within the creator economy sector.
• Expertise in one or more categories such as entertainment and gaming, spirits and luxury, beauty, sports, technology, or automotive.
• Ability to transform strategic capabilities into marketable products or service propositions.
• Familiarity with connecting creative initiatives to measurable business outcomes through sound measurement literacy.
• Established relationships with senior brand and marketing professionals.
• Experience working successfully in complex matrixed or global corporate environments.

Compensation

The salary range is $200,000 to $225,000, serving as a general compensation guideline. Final offers will reflect candidate experience, expertise, role alignment, location, and budget considerations.

Company Values

Whalar deeply integrates diversity, equity, and inclusion into its culture, viewing it as a core strength. The company promotes an environment of respect and empathy, welcoming individuals of all backgrounds and encouraging them to challenge norms and contribute to ongoing growth and evolution.

Employee Benefits

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Generous paid time off including 25 PTO days, sick leave, and winter holidays
• Monthly reimbursements for phone and internet
• Professional development funds
• New employee home office support
• Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave
• Volunteer leave days
• Identity theft protection and legal support
• Company-paid Life & Disability insurance
• Optional Life, Hospital, Critical Illness, and Pet insurance plans
• Participation in Employee Resource Groups fostering inclusion

Equal Opportunity Employment

Whalar is committed to providing equal employment opportunities without discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetics, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic. This commitment extends throughout all employment aspects including hiring, promotions, training, compensation, and benefits.