Strategic Planner

We are looking for a passionate and talented Strategic Planner, who doesn’t want to commute downtown Toronto 5 days a week, to join our dynamic team!

As a Strategic Planner, you will play a pivotal role in shaping brand strategies, developing integrated campaigns, and uncovering insights that drive business growth and creative excellence. You will lead the strategic planning process, leveraging research, data, and cultural trends to craft compelling consumer profiles, brand positionings, and messaging frameworks. Acting as a trusted partner to both clients and internal teams, you will collaborate closely with creatives, account teams, and agency partners to fuel impactful ideas and ensure strategic alignment throughout the creative process. With a strong ability to think beyond traditional advertising, you will develop innovative, insight-driven programs that maximize value across digital, social, and media platforms. Your expertise in storytelling, effectiveness measurement, and leadership will help shape our clients strategic vision. If you are an entrepreneurial thinker with a passion for culture, creativity, and results-driven strategy, this role offers an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

This is a full-time position, working in a hybrid model. Candidates should be able to travel to our Studio in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.

Candybox is a forward-thinking digital marketing agency specializing in SEO, PPC, Social Media, Content Marketing, Web Development, App Development, Creative and Branding. We are passionate about helping businesses grow through innovative and results-driven strategies. Candybox Marketing is an award-winning full-service digital marketing agency in Oakville, Ontario. We are passionate about helping businesses grow through innovative and results-driven strategies. We have been recognized as one of Canada’s Fastest Growing Companies 3 years in a row and have been listed on the Great Places to Work list for 2021-2024. We are an innovative team that believes in digital marketing that actually works!

Start Date:  Monday, April 7, 2025

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the strategic planning process to develop powerful brand ideas that drive business growth and creative excellence.
• Conduct in-depth scouting into cultural trends, channel opportunities, and competitive activity, distilling findings into actionable insights and recommendations.
• Create compelling consumer profiles that uncover behaviours, attitudes, lifestyles, and usage patterns to inform meaningful brand and campaign strategies.
• Develop clear, focused brand positioning and messaging frameworks, contributing to the crystallization of brand identity and architecture.
• Think beyond traditional advertising by developing integrated programs that maximize value across creative, media, and digital platforms.
• Lead the strategic thinking on integrated campaigns, ensuring alignment with business objectives and cultural relevance.
• Be an insights-driven planner, translating data on clients, products, consumers, and culture into meaningful storytelling strategies rather than just information.
• Write clear, compelling creative briefs that inspire and guide the creative development process.
• Provide inspiration and act as a strategic partner and sounding board for creative teams before, during, and after the creative process.
• Plan and facilitate integrated planning sessions and ideation workshops, both internally and with external participants.
• Recommend research methodologies that inform creative development and measure effectiveness.
• Build strong relationships with creatives and agency partners to foster collaboration and ensure seamless execution of strategic initiatives.
• Be familiar with widely used and emerging insight tools, media technologies, channels, and industry terminology.
• Demonstrate expertise in digital strategy, including social strategy, ensuring brands effectively leverage online platforms.
• Deliver compelling presentations that instill confidence, sell strategic thinking, and drive client buy-in.
• Educate teams and clients on effectiveness principles, rallying them around strategic insights and measurable outcomes.
• Measure campaign effectiveness, ensuring strategies drive results and demonstrate clear business impact.

Requirements for the role

• 5+ years of experience in brand strategy, strategic planning, or a related field within a digital marketing or creative agency.
• Proven track record of leading strategic thinking on integrated campaigns and delivering brand strategies that drive business growth and creative excellence.
• Strong brand planning expertise, with the ability to craft compelling brand positionings, messaging frameworks, and contribute to brand identity and architecture.
• Experience in digital strategy, including social strategy, with a deep understanding of emerging media technologies, channels, and industry trends.
• Results-driven mindset with a strong understanding of effectiveness measurement and data-driven storytelling.

What we are looking for in a successful candidate

• Research & Analytical Skills
• Creative & Strategic Thinking
• Communication & Presentation
• Leadership & Collaboration

• Act with Integrity
• Self-Managed

• Adaptable
• Accountable 
• Problem Solver
• Do what you say you will do
• Consistently demonstrate positive behaviour
• Take Initiative
• Strong Work Ethic
• Punctual
  

What we offer

• Competitive base salary with an attractive commission structure.
• Opportunities for career growth and professional development.
• Health benefits (dental, eye care, physio, medical, massage, and more).
• Group RRSP Participation.
• A collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Hybrid Work Structure [currently 1-2 days in studio].
• Birthday Day Off!
  

Start Date:  Monday, April 7, 2025