Executive director - strategy

About Please See// Please See// is an independent brand consultancy known for building purposeful, enduring brands. Our work sits at the intersection of strategy, design, and culture - partnering with leadership teams to shape brands that know who they are, what they stand for, and how they communicate it to the world.
About the Role We are looking for an Executive Director, Strategy to lead our strategy practice at Please See//. This is a senior leadership role, preferably for someone who has already built and owned a strategic practice - at a brand consultancy, a research consultancy, or within the insight or strategy function of a consumer goods organisation. You will set the strategic direction for client engagements, shape the agency's point of view, and be the person in the room that clients turn to when the thinking needs to be sharpest.
What We're Looking For
12–15 years of experience in brand strategy, strategic planning, or brand consulting
Background either client-side within the insight or strategy function of a consumer goods organisation, or agency-side at a research or brand consultancy
Proven ability to lead and close strategic engagements independently - from framing the problem to presenting the recommendation
Deep expertise in brand architecture, positioning, narrative development, and organisational identity
A confident, authoritative client presence
Experience working as a peer to CXOs and senior leadership, not just presenting to them
Commercial awareness - an understanding of how strategic work creates and protects business value
Experience building, structuring, or scaling a strategy practice or team
Key Responsibilities
Own the strategic output across Please See//'s key client engagements - setting the direction, maintaining the rigour, and delivering outcomes that hold up beyond the presentation
Serve as the senior strategic voice in client relationships, advising leadership teams on brand identity, positioning, architecture, and transformation
Lead new business pitches from a strategy standpoint ie shaping the narrative
Partner with the Executive Creative Director and client leadership to ensure strategic and creative coherence across every engagement
Build and evolve Please See//'s internal strategic frameworks, methodologies, and ways of working
Contribute to Please See//'s intellectual capital - developing the agency's point of view on brand, strategy, and the industry, and translating that into internal knowledge and training
Represent Please See// externally - in industry conversations, thought leadership, and the agency's growing reputation as a strategic partner
Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing strategy team