Group Director, Brand & Demand Strategy (Remote Canada)
WFA Digital Insight
The demand for skilled digital marketing strategists grew significantly in recent years, with a 25% increase in programmatic advertising specialists in 2025. Directive's Group Director, Brand & Demand Strategy role stands out in the remote job market, offering a unique opportunity to drive business growth through cohesive brand and demand strategies. With the company's 90-day pilot model, the right candidate can make a tangible impact on pilot-to-retainer conversion rates. Before applying, candidates should be aware of the importance of consultative partnership, strategic thinking, and programmatic expertise in this role.
Job Description
About the Role
The Group Director, Brand & Demand Strategy at Directive is a senior, deeply consultative strategist role that owns the strategic thesis for every new client engagement. This involves diagnosing the business, defining the strategy, sequencing the work, and aligning channel teams on a coherent integrated plan that ties directly to the client's commercial outcomes. The role is critical in driving pilot-to-retainer conversion rates, with a focus on setting the strategic direction across every new engagement, regardless of vertical or service line.The successful candidate will operate above the lanes, deciding where Paid, SEO, Content, Creative, Programmatic, RevOps, and Comms each fit for a given client, and how they sequence and reinforce each other. This is a true consultative role, where the candidate will influence through the quality of their thinking, rather than through reporting authority.
Directive runs a 90-day pilot model, and the single highest-leverage point in the entire client lifecycle is the strategy set in the first 30 days of that pilot. The Group Director, Brand & Demand Strategy will shadow the CEO, who currently performs this function, across every new engagement that starts in the first 90 days.
What You Will Do
- Own the first-30-days strategic thesis for every new engagement, setting the direction for the channel teams and account strategists to execute
- Drive pilot-to-retainer conversion rate, with the thesis set in the first 30 days being the leading indicator of that conversion
- Operate above the lanes, deciding where different channels and services fit for a given client, and how they sequence and reinforce each other
- Work directly with subject matter experts across every capability to pressure-test the thesis against what's actually executable and what will move the client's business
- Set the strategic direction across every new engagement, regardless of vertical or service line
- Align channel teams on a coherent integrated plan that ties directly to the client's commercial outcomes
- Sequence the work and ensure that the strategy is executable and will drive business outcomes
- Collaborate with the account teams to ensure that the strategy is being executed effectively
- Monitor and analyze the performance of the pilots and adjust the strategy as needed
What We Are Looking For
- 8+ years of experience in digital marketing, with a focus on brand and demand strategy
- Strong expertise in programmatic advertising, with a deep understanding of how to drive business outcomes through cohesive brand and demand strategies
- Experience working with cross-functional teams, including Paid Media, Paid Social, SEO, Content, Creative, Programmatic, RevOps, and Comms
- Strong consultative and partnership skills, with the ability to influence through the quality of thinking
- Ability to operate above the lanes, deciding where different channels and services fit for a given client
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze complex data sets and drive business outcomes
- Experience working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex strategies and ideas to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
Nice to Have
- Experience working with a 90-day pilot model, with a focus on driving pilot-to-retainer conversion rates
- Strong understanding of the latest trends and technologies in digital marketing, including programmatic advertising and MarTech
- Experience working with agile methodologies, with a focus on continuous improvement and iteration
- Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire cross-functional teams
Benefits and Perks
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Opportunity to work with a fast-growing, innovative company in the digital marketing space
- Collaborative, dynamic work environment with a focus on continuous learning and professional development
- Flexible work arrangements, including remote work options and flexible hours
- Access to the latest tools and technologies in digital marketing, including programmatic advertising and MarTech
- Professional development opportunities, including training and education programs
- Recognition and reward for outstanding performance, including bonuses and promotions
- Comprehensive health and wellness program, including mental health support and employee assistance programs
How to Stand Out
- Tip: Highlight your experience working with cross-functional teams, including Paid Media, Paid Social, SEO, Content, Creative, Programmatic, RevOps, and Comms, to demonstrate your ability to operate above the lanes.
- Tip: Emphasize your understanding of programmatic advertising and how to drive business outcomes through cohesive brand and demand strategies.
- Tip: Showcase your analytical and problem-solving skills by providing specific examples of how you've analyzed complex data sets and driven business outcomes in previous roles.
- Tip: Demonstrate your ability to articulate complex strategies and ideas to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, highlighting your strong communication and presentation skills.
- Tip: Research Directive's 90-day pilot model and be prepared to discuss how you would drive pilot-to-retainer conversion rates in this role.
- Tip: Be prepared to discuss your experience working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, and how you prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Tip: Highlight your passion for digital marketing and your desire to work with a fast-growing, innovative company in the space.
This is a remote position listed on WFA Digital, the platform for professionals who work from anywhere. Browse more remote jobs across all categories.