Senior Brand Strategist
Department Overview
Strategy is the study and application of human behavior in service of creative ideas that solve for business problems. It’s built on a foundation of art + science, uncovering insights through data and research (with curiosity) that reveal a space for solutions that resonate with people. Working closely with your partners in Account Management and Creative, you are the protector of the brand and the champion of the consumer. As a Strategist at OKRP, you are empowered to make the work stronger, bolder and braver.
What does a Senior Brand Strategist do?
The Senior Brand Strategist helps to represent the consumer, brand and business. You’ll have the opportunity to contribute across a diverse array of the strategic range including delivering research, insights, strategic grounding and creative development. This role works closely with the strategic lead on the business and collaborates with partners in Account Management and Creative.
Core Responsibilities:
- Strategic AcumenYou see the big picture and help develop strategic initiatives towards inspired solutions. You have a passion for digging into a client’s business and understanding category and cultural trends, as well as providing insight into the competitive landscape. Working with your agency and client partners, you will be involved in positioning, platform, and messaging strategies that elevate and bring the creative idea into the world.
- Creative Storytelling & InspirationYou understand how to synthesize and distill data, research, and cultural trends into inspiring and unexpected creative briefs. Using the range of agency tools, collaborative ideation, and side-by-side partnership with creative teams, you’ll help to deliver insights that raise the bar for the creative work and unlock unexpected creative solutions.
- Research and InsightsYou will be a part of all research activities across qualitative and quantitative methodologies in order to gain consumer learnings and drive effective creative performance. In addition, you’ll help define key performance indicators and measurement for all client efforts.
- That Little Something ExtraPlanning is a leadership position. Whatever the level, you must bring a passion for what communication and creativity can achieve in the world. You’ll be empowered to contribute to intellectual products for the agency, and to develop your plus-up superpower that brings a little something unexpected to the planning department. Most importantly, we want you to be a champion of OKRP culture—independent yet collaborative, entrepreneurial, driven, all with a fun attitude and joy in the process of making and doing great work.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s required, preferably in a social / human-oriented field (e.g., Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, etc.) or communication / marketing (e.g., Integrated Marketing, Brand Planning, etc.). Master’s degree or higher is desirable.
- Work experience of 6 to 8 years in marketing either in creative agency or market research, working in a strategic insights function
- Experience outside of marketing and advertising that provides value, expertise, and fresh perspective to Agency is desirable: digital shop, ethnic agency, ethnography, research house, retail or promotions agency, university lab, etc.
- Excellent communication and writing skills
- Digital “fluency” is expected, given the speed of changes in communication. Familiarity with the latest trends and development in social media and interactive and is appreciated
- Experience with multi-cultural marketing (primarily Hispanic or African-American) is a positive.
- Curious and passionate about understanding and researching the behavior of the consumer.
- Able to thrive in an entrepreneurial culture where creativity and data are both highly valued.
About OKRP
OKRP is a Chicago-based, independent agency that brings big brand creativity with startup ingenuity to clients. We bring nimble, quick, and prolific creative solutions to clients, including Burger King, Ferrarra (Nerds Candy), Ace Hardware, P&G, Constellation Brands, Illinois Office of Tourism, and many others. Accolades include Ad Age 2015 small agency of the year, 2019 Agency Stand-Out, 2020 ANA Multicultural Excellence and 2021 Small Agency of the Year, Culture.
Account Supervisor
Job Summary
The Account Supervisor is someone who is a proactive thinker, resourceful problem solver and possesses an outgoing, get-it-done attitude. The AS will work closely with the cross- functional team (including Creative & Production) to provide day-to-day support to ensure smooth internal processes and positive deliverables for our clients.
To succeed in this role, you must be highly organized and able to perform multiple tasks for different teams / clients on an ongoing basis. Your high level of business insights will help you independently troubleshoot with limited oversight and insightfully recognize opportunities with our current and potential clients. You will have experience with marketing campaigns and a deep understanding of exceptional client service. Our ideal candidate is able to manage daily responsibilities, adaptable to project deliverable changes and actively participate in cross-functional team ideation sessions.
Your ongoing engagement with the team will reinforce client confidence in driving their business and the successful growth of our agency by being an essential part of the Account Management team.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
The Account Supervisor is responsible, in the area of account management, for:
- Being the first line of defense within the agency and with the client
- Supporting the account lead on day-to-day client / creative deliverables
- Building strong and trusting relationships with your client counterpart, helping them solve problems and challenges
- Leading weekly client and internal team status meetings along with managing corresponding status reports
- Effectively negotiating client and agency needs and desires.
- Routing creative / copy internally and with clients for proper reviews/approvals
- Managing traffic schedule with internal production and media agency partners
- Partnering and leading communications with media teams, providing guidance best suited towards creative campaigns
- Seeking opportunities to help improve the creative product based on strong understanding of client business situations
- Looking for opportunities to manage and grow your internal team when it comes to decision-making, prioritizing and conflict-resolution
- Monitoring brand news and industry trends to keep the team abreast of any hot topics
- Performing other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree mandatory; a concentration in advertising, marketing and/or communications is a PLUS
Experience
- 5-7 years industry experience and strong recommendations
- Creative production and media experience
Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- Exceptional computer, written/verbal communication and presentation skills
- Organizational and time-management skills
- Experience managing teams and clients
Project Manager
Job Summary
OKRP Project Managers are experts at delivering projects across a wide range of clients. They are orchestrators, motivators, and unflappable problem solvers. But most of all, truly believe there is both an art and a science to delivering on time and on budget. Because there is. While driven expediters, they absolutely must be empathetic to what makes creativity bloom and relationships thrive. They’re direct, transparent communicators and evolved listeners who, simply put, are smoothest at crunch time. At OKRP, egoless collaboration is key.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
The Project Manager is responsible, in the area of Project Management, for:
- Mapping out timelines and sync-up workflow across multiple projects to meet key dates.
- Collaborating with finance team to track project budgets and create project estimates.
- Identify and manage appropriate resources and staffing needs – internally and externally – throughout project lifespan.
- Act as main point of contact for the internal team, with client engagement as needed.
- Manage vendor and media partner relationships, including troubleshooting and trafficking of banners and other assets.
- Will perform other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.
Education
- Bachelor’s degree and project management qualification (PMP) or equivalent
Experience
- 3-5 years’ experience in project management roles, preferably within an agency
- Strong recommendations
Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- Proficiency in project management principles
- Experience in 360 campaign management, including broadcast, digital display & social media
- Strong organizational instincts and process documentation skills
- Ability to constantly mitigate risk regarding budget, timing and staffing
- Confidence working both independently and collaboratively with cross-functional teams
- Excellent communication skills – verbal and written
- Flexibility and adaptability in the face of ambiguity and change
- Strong organizational and time-management skills
- Ability to remain calm and focused under pressure and when facing heavy deliverables
Copywriter
Job Summary
OKRP Copywriters search to find the big idea and also have the passion to sweat the details. Our writers are problem solvers with soul who find solutions that feel both human and true, drawing insights from the real word. At OKRP, we believe work is ready when we “feel” it.
Our creatives are prolific and iterative in their approach to the work. They’re deeply collaborative, transparent communicators who always endeavor to “bring something extra” to each assignment. Egoless creativity is key. People that work at OKRP are smart, driven and collaborative.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
The Copywriter is responsible, in the area of creative for:
- Delivering the “Big Idea” that is on brief. Always.
- Ownership is key to success. The Copywriter is responsible specifically for the written elements of the big idea across TV, print, digital and social channels while directing photographers, illustrators, animators and junior designers with the utmost attention to detail.
- Participating in all meetings, calls and creative briefings for the internal creative team
- Supporting day-to-day creative deliverables, as Creative Director deems appropriate
- Routing creative / copy internally for proper approvals with Creative Director
- People that work at OKRP are smart, driven and collaborative. They care about each other and are expected to help each other grow as creatives and as people.
- Performing other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.
- Managing projects’ creative assets and schedules to ensure on-time deliverables
- Working with CDs and GCDs to seek out constant improvement, in the work that is created and growth as an individual. The Copywriter should always be looking to master their craft and improve on their skills.
- Staying current on trends beyond advertising – understanding what is relevant in both culture and technology.
- Performing other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.
Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- Show a dedication to growing their craft with exposure to outside creative classes.
- Possess a strong command of the English language – including all grammatical nuances that come with it.
- Be both right brained and left brained – but never overthink work.
- Possess strong communication skills
- Exceptional time-management, organization, written/verbal communication skills
- Fluent in Microsoft Word, Google shared documents and have familiarity with Keynote.
Senior Copywriter
Job Summary
We are looking for Senior Copywriters that are searching to find the big idea, but also have the passion to sweat the details. A problem solver with soul that finds solutions that feel both human and true, drawing insights from the real world. At OKRP, we believe work is ready when we “feel” it.
Our creatives are prolific and iterative in their approach to the work. They’re deeply collaborative, transparent communicators who always endeavor to “bring something extra” to each assignment. Egoless creativity is key.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
The Sr. Copywriter is responsible for:
- The execution of your ideas across TV, print, digital and social channels with the utmost attention to detail.
- Participating in all meetings, calls and creative briefings for the internal creative team.
- Supporting the Creative Director in day-to-day creative deliverables.
- Delivering thoughtful solutions to client briefs.
- Managing projects’ creative assets and schedules to ensure on-time deliverables
- Always striving to find the big idea, but also recognizing little nuances that give the perfect tone and feel.
- Working with CDs and GCDs you will seek out improvement, both in the work that is created and growth as an individual. Always be looking to master your craft and improve on your skills.
- Be current on trends beyond advertising – understanding what is relevant in both culture and technology.
- People that work at OKRP are smart, driven and collaborative. They care about each other and are expected to help each other grow as creatives and as people.
- Performing other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.
Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- Possess strong copywriting background / skills.
- Be both right brained and left brained – but never overthink the work.
- Resilient in the face of ambiguity and change.
- Should be a strong internal communicator, excellent at managing up and down, and a great presenter for pitches.
- Exceptional time-management, organization, written/verbal communication skills.
- Energy, curiosity and an ability to maintain your sense of humor under tight timelines and long hours.
- Fluent in Microsoft Word, Google shared documents and Keynote.
Art Director
Job Summary
We are looking for Art Directors that are searching to find the big idea, but also have the passion to sweat the details. A problem solver with soul that finds solutions that feel both human and true, drawing insights from the real world. At OKRP, we believe work is ready when we “feel” it.
Our creatives are prolific and iterative in their approach to the work. They’re deeply collaborative, transparent communicators who always endeavor to “bring something extra” to each assignment. Egoless creativity is key.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
The Art Director is responsible, in the area of creative for:
- Working with an existing (exceptionally talented!) OKRP copywriter, you will deliver strategic concepts and art direction across existing clients. You’ll be our work’s greatest advocate, able to process feedback then respond with creative that exceeds expectations.
- Always strive to find the big idea, but also recognize little nuances that give the perfect look and texture.
- Working with CDs and GCDs you will seek out improvement, both in the work that is created and growth as an individual. The Art Director should always be looking to master their craft and improve on their skills.
- The art director should be highly iterative and refuse to settle.
- Ownership is key to success. The Art Director is responsible for the execution of ideas across TV, print, digital and social channels while directing photographers, illustrators, animators and junior designers with the utmost attention to detail.
- The Sr. Art director should be current on trends beyond advertising – understanding what is relevant in both culture and technology.
- People that work at OKRP are smart, driven and collaborative. They care about each other and are expected to help each other grow as creatives and as people.
- Will perform other duties as required or assigned that at are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.
Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- Possess strong art direction background / skills
- Be both right brained and left brained – but never overthink work.
- Resilient in the face of ambiguity and change
- Exceptional time-management, organization, written/verbal communication skills
- Energy, curiosity and an ability to maintain your sense of humor under tight timelines and long hours
- A passion and expertise for art, design and photography.
Senior Art Director
Job Summary
We are looking for Senior Art Directors that are searching to find the big idea, but also have the passion to sweat the details. A problem solver with soul that finds solutions that feel both human and true, drawing insights from the real world. At OKRP, we believe work is ready when we “feel” it.
Our creatives are prolific and iterative in their approach to the work. They’re deeply collaborative, transparent communicators who always endeavor to “bring something extra” to each assignment. Egoless creativity is key.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
The Sr. Art Director is responsible for:
- Working with a Sr. Copywriter, you’ll deliver strategic concepts and art direction across clients. Together, you’ll be your work’s greatest advocate, able to process feedback then respond with creative that exceeds expectations.
- Always strive to find the big idea, but also recognize little nuances that give the perfect look and texture.
- Working with CDs and GCDs you will seek out improvement, both in the work that is created and growth as an individual. You should always be looking to master your craft and improve on their skills.
- Ownership is key to success. You’ll be responsible for the execution of ideas across TV, print, digital and social channels while directing photographers, illustrators, animators and junior designers with the utmost attention to detail.
- Be current on trends beyond advertising – understanding what is relevant in both culture and technology.
- People that work at OKRP are smart, driven and collaborative. They care about each other and are expected to help each other grow as creatives and as people.
- Performing other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.
Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- Possess strong art direction background / skills
- Be both right brained and left brained – but never overthink the work.
- Resilient in the face of ambiguity and change.
- Exceptional time-management, organization, written/verbal communication skills.
- Energy, curiosity and an ability to maintain your sense of humor under tight timelines and long hours.
- A passion and expertise for art, design and photography.
Senior Producer
Job Summary
We are looking for a Senior Producer—a proactive thinker, resourceful problem solver who possesses an outgoing, get-it-done attitude. The Senior Producer will work closely with the internal cross-functional team to provide day-to-day support to ensure smooth production processes and positive deliverables for our clients.
You will manage projects including, but not limited to, video production, print production and content creation. As a Senior Producer you will maintain relationships with outside partners including, but not limited to, production companies, recording studios and post facilities – securing estimates and outlining parameters and schedules for agency projects. Strong and clear communication, attention to detail and organizational skills are required for this position.Ideal candidates must be able to perform well under pressure and be nimble—able to anticipate potential conflicts and production needs, problem solve and provide alternate solutions as changes arise during a project.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
The Senior Producer is responsible, in the area of Production, for:
- Managing production activities on multiple accounts and maintaining professional client contact
- Leading a project team of production resources including staff, freelance and vendors
- Collaborating with creative teams to determine suitable production partners for each creative concept
- Working with production companies to obtain director treatments and preparing estimates and triple bids as necessary
- Developing production and post production schedules
- Oversight of all phases of production including shoots, edits, voice-over and sound mixing and color sessions
- Maintaining exceptional working relationships with clients and attending status and review meetings as required
- Oversight of post-production and final deliverables, including shipping and completion reports
- Performing other duties as required or assigned that at are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.
Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
- Knowledge of SAG talent rules and requirements
- Flexibility and adaptability in the face of ambiguity and change
- Ability to collaborate quickly with external and internal teams
- Time management skills and ability to manage priorities and workflow
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and respond quickly to change
- BONUS: Spanish language skills
Physical and Medical Standards
- Standing, walking, reaching, stooping, crouching, twisting, bending, crawling
Working Conditions and Environment
- Typically, this is an office environment which can involve periods of sitting, standing, bending, twisting
Hours Worked
- Full-time employees are required to work a minimum of 40 hours per week. Work hours vary by customer need and role.