Senior Strategist

ROLE: Senior Strategist
TEAM: The Kitchen North America
LOCATION: Toronto

COMPANY OVERVIEW:

Welcome to The Kitchen by Kraft Heinz – the in-house agency taking marketing into a new era. With bases in Toronto and Chicago, we're not just a team; we're culinary pioneers blending culture, creativity, and collaboration. Join our 100+ member crew of Creatives, Strategists, Producers, Designers, and Content Creators. Together with our brand partners, we unlock creativity at the speed of culture, turning brands into icons with breakthrough social and digital ideas. Come be part of a team where passion meets innovation, crafting experiences that leave a lasting impression—one spicy idea at a time.

ROLE OVERVIEW:

The Senior Strategist at The Kitchen is responsible for serving as the day-to-day strategic lead across multiple brands. We seek someone who thrives in a fast-paced, creative environment. This role demands a unique blend of strategic thinking, cultural curiosity, and, above all, a passion for social media.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing strategies for brand activations
• Overseeing content development for organic social media
• Leading and coaching a team of Social Media Managers

The ideal candidate understands the full marketing funnel and ecosystem, especially how social media fits in. They will inspire the team to deliver great content and brand activations that move at the speed of culture.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Strategic Thinking: Maintain a deep understanding of the brand, audiences, business priorities, competition, and industry trends. Develop creative briefs, comms plans, campaign rollouts, and thought leadership.

• Cultural Strategy & Creative Brief Development: Translate current events, trends, and conversations into inspiring creative opportunities and proactive briefs that enable brands to quickly and effectively participate in culture.

• Collaboration with Creative Teams: Work closely with the Creative team to brainstorm, generate thought starters, and actively hone their work.

• Passion for Social Media: Stay updated on the latest social media platforms and trends, ensuring that Creatives and Brand Partners operate effectively in a constantly changing social media landscape.

• Understanding of Paid Media: Understand ad units, media opportunities, and post content options across various platforms. Provide strategic recommendations for creating and amplifying work with both paid and owned media.

• Social Playbook Development: Oversee the development of social media playbooks, ensuring alignment with brand DNA, voice, and platform strategies.

• Social Listening: Translate social listening data and media insights into strategic recommendations that inform brand activations and social content.

• Presentation Skills: Communicate ideas clearly and effectively in presentations, helping to get creative ideas approved by Brand Partners.

• Team Management: Lead a team consisting of Creatives, Social Copywriters, Content Creators, and directly manage two Social Media Managers. Guide your team in developing social briefs, deploying content, and managing Brand Partner relationships.

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS:

• 5+ years of experience in a brand, creative, or social strategy role.
• Proven track record of managing brands with a significant following, ideally for a CPG or lifestyle brand.
• Experience working with Creative teams, providing strategic expertise, and influencing creative ideas.
• Proficiency in creating presentations (PowerPoint, Google Slides).
• Ability to translate research and data into meaningful insights that inspire big ideas.
• Strong understanding of tools and frameworks supporting strategy development (e.g., social listening).
• Deep passion and understanding of culture and social trends.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills in group environments.
• A university or college diploma in marketing, advertising, or a related field is preferred.

The Kitchen, Kraft Heinz, and Salt are committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting and retaining the most qualified employees regardless of race, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age, or disability.