Creative Strategy Director

somethingspecialstudios Open · verified Aug 17, 2026

New York Director Creative

Leadership Creative role at somethingspecialstudios. New York · $138,000–$170,000 base.

SalaryStated by somethingspecialstudios

$138,000 – $170,000

Base salary for this role, in USD per year, as published in the posting.

This role, from somethingspecialstudiosOur estimate for the market: $149,125–$198,125

In line with the market median of $166,675 for lead creative roles in New York.

Worked out from 52 postings that stated pay, median $166,675. Last updated Aug 15, 2026.

Role brief

Growth Roles summary, based on the employer's posting.

What you'll do

Lead strategy from the initial brief through delivery across several client engagements
Review insights, strategic narratives, creative briefs, and recommendations for quality
Serve as the senior day-to-day adviser for client relationships and presentations
Shape integrated campaigns, experiences, and creative platforms across assigned accounts
Manage and mentor Creative Strategists through coaching, feedback, and career support

What you bring

You bring eight to ten years of strategy work at a creative agency or consultancy
You have led complex, integrated engagements for clients
You can manage client relationships and communicate ideas through strong presentations
You have managed teams and helped develop talent
You can pair disciplined strategy with ambitious creative thinking

Who this fits

You’ll suit a senior creative-agency strategy role involving client leadership, integrated work, team development, and new-business support. The role is based in New York and uses a hybrid schedule with four office days and one remote day. You’ll work across culture, creativity, design, and experience.

From the employer

The Creative Strategy Director leads strategy across a portfolio of client accounts, ensuring every engagement is grounded in thoughtful insights and ambitious creative thinking. They oversee multiple projects simultaneously, guide multidisciplinary teams, mentor Creative Strategists, and serve as the senior day-to-day strategic partner for clients.

Responsibilities

Lead strategic development across multiple client engagements from brief through execution.
Oversee the quality of insights, strategic narratives, creative briefs, and recommendations across projects.
Serve as the senior strategic lead for client relationships, presentations, and day-to-day strategic counsel.
Shape integrated campaigns, experiences, and creative platforms, ensuring strategic quality and consistency across all assigned client engagements.
Lead workshops, stakeholder interviews, and strategic planning sessions.
Directly manage and mentor Creative Strategists, providing coaching, performance feedback, and career development.
Support new business by contributing strategic thinking, presentations, and client pitches.
Partner with Executive Creative Strategy leadership to ensure work reflects the agency's strategic standards and vision.

Qualifications

8-10 years of strategy experience within a creative agency or consultancy.
Demonstrated success leading complex, integrated client engagements.
Strong client leadership and relationship management skills.
Excellent storytelling and presentation abilities.
Proven experience managing teams and developing talent.
Ability to balance strategic rigor with creative ambition.

Salary Range

$138,000 - $170,000 annually. Salary for the prospective employee is determined by a combination of factors that include qualifications, applicable skills, relevant experience and other budgetary considerations such as location/geography.

Benefits Include

Comprehensive health coverage– Medical, dental and vision insurance, plus HSA and FSA options.
401(k) with company contribution– 3% Safe Harbor contribution after six months of service, whether or not you contribute yourself.
Company-paid life insurance– Basic Life and AD&D coverage included, with the option to purchase additional coverage.
Generous paid time off– 15 days PTO in addition to Holiday Closures
Summer Fridays – Up to four Fridays off between Memorial Day and Labor Day, subject to workload.
Flexible sick leave
Hybrid working– 4 Days in Office / 1 Remote
Generous Employee Referral bonuses
Yearly profit sharing program
Employee & Company Performance-based bonus

*Creative Strategy at Something Special Studios

Our strategists work at the intersection of culture, creativity, design, and experience. Regardless of level, every strategist is expected to contribute to research, insight development, creative ideation, storytelling, and client partnership. As strategists grow, their scope expands from contributing to the work, to owning workstreams, to leading accounts and developing talent.