Director, Strategy

Director, Strategy & Insights

Work location

Toronto, Ontario (hybrid)

About us

Over the past 50 years, NATIONAL has helped organizations navigate moments of transformation, build trust, and solve the business challenges that matter most. As one of Canada's largest independent communications consultancies, we combine strategic advisory, communications, public affairs, digital, healthcare, creative and research expertise to help leading public and private sector organizations shape reputation, influence stakeholders and drive business outcomes.

We believe the future of communication sits at the intersection of business strategy, executive leadership, and stakeholder trust. Our Toronto team is growing its strategy practice and is looking for a leader who thrives in ambiguity, enjoys solving complex business problems, and is excited to help clients navigate change.

The role

As Director, Strategy & Insights, you'll serve as a trusted strategic advisor to senior executives, helping clients solve complex business and reputation challenges through research, insight, and integrated communication strategy.

You will lead high-impact strategic engagements, facilitate executive workshops, uncover opportunities for growth, and work across multidisciplinary teams to develop integrated strategies that influence business decisions, not just communications plans.

This is a leadership role for someone who enjoys asking better questions, connecting disparate ideas, and helping organizations navigate transformation.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to senior client leaders, helping them navigate complex business, reputation, and stakeholder challenges
• Lead research, insight generation, and strategic planning for high-profile client mandates across corporate reputation, executive positioning, transformation, public affairs and integrated communications
• Design and facilitate executive workshops, strategy sessions, and stakeholder engagements that help clients align around business priorities
• Translate qualitative and quantitative research into actionable business and communications strategies
• Develop compelling narratives, positioning platforms, audience strategies, and thought leadership programs
• Identify emerging client needs and proactively develop opportunities to expand strategic advisory relationships
• Lead the strategic direction of major proposals and new business pursuits, contributing to the Firm’s continued growth
• Mentor and develop consultants, helping build NATIONAL’s strategic advisory capability
• Contribute to the evolution of NATIONAL’s proprietary strategic methodologies, research approaches and advisory offerings

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience advising senior leaders on business, reputation, communications, transformation or stakeholder strategy
• Experience in management consulting, strategic communications, brand strategy, public affairs, corporate affairs, or a related advisory environment
• Exceptional facilitation skills with experience leading executive workshops and strategic planning sessions
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex research into compelling strategic recommendations
• Strong commercial instinct with experience identifying growth opportunities and expanding client relationships
• Outstanding written and verbal communications skills with confidence presenting to executive audiences
• High degree of comfort using AI-enabled tools to accelerate research, synthesis and strategic thinking

Abilities

• You enjoy helping organizations answer questions they haven’t yet learned to ask
• Naturally curious with exceptional critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Able to simplify complexity and help clients make confident decisions
• Comfortable working in ambiguity and leading through change
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence senior stakeholders
• Commercial mindset with a passion for growing client relationships and developing new opportunities
• Collaborative leader who enjoys building teams and developing future talent

What we offer

• Hybrid work environment and a supportive, collegial office culture
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits
• Opportunities to work on high-profile mandates with leading organizations across sectors
• Professional development, coaching and growth opportunities within a national team
• Occasional travel as required by client and team needs

Expected Compensation

The expected salary for this role is $103,500 - $115,000 CAD. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, and internal equity.

How to apply

Submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest and fit for the role. If you’re up for a new challenge to join Canada’s PR Firm, we’d love to hear from you.

NATIONAL is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Should you require any accommodation during the selection process, please inform us.

A vacancy currently exists for this position. Please note that only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted. As part of our recruitment process, we use artificial intelligence tools to assist with the screening, assessment, and selection of applicants for this role. Thank you for considering a career with NATIONAL.

NATIONAL Public Relations provides creative communications solutions that move people in thought and actions. We bring together a team of 300 seasoned professionals, who are committed to helping organizations of all sizes and in all sectors understand their challenges and opportunities and solve the issues they are facing. For 47 years, NATIONAL has been at the center of issues and industries that matter, leading change for today and tomorrow.

NATIONAL is Canada’s leading public relations firm, with offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Saint John, Halifax and St. John’s. Its network includes Time & Space, a leader in media strategy, data analysis, planning and execution.

NATIONAL Public Relations is an AVENIR GLOBAL company, the largest Canadian-owned global communications firm, ranked among the 25 largest in the world with offices in 23 locations across Canada, the U.S., Europe and the Middle East. For more information about NATIONAL, please visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn and X.

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