Brand Strategy Lead – Central Brand Studio

London / New York / Los Angeles £65,000–£80,000 (UK) / $100,000–$120,000 (US)

About the Role

We’re looking for a senior brand strategist or brand strategy director to join our global brand studio — Manifest’s global division dedicated to brand consultancy and branding. The global brand studio partners with some of the world’s most progressive organisations to define, develop, and deliver brands that drive cultural impact. We’re the fastest-growing division in the agency and the current Campaign Global Branding Agency of the Year.

This role is perfect for an established senior strategist ready to step up, or a brand strategy director who wants to help shape the future of Manifest’s global brand consultancy.

You’ll lead on brand positioning, architecture, and identity projects that turn ideas into brands that actually live in the world.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the development of brand strategies across creation, refresh, and transformation projects — defining positioning, architecture, and articulation.
• Partner with the Director of the brand studio and Chief Design Officer to evolve our strategy products, frameworks, and IP.
• Translate audience, category, and cultural insight into inspiring brand platforms in collaboration with our Insights Director.
• Write sharp creative briefs that guide the design and motion teams to bring strategy to life through culturally fluent visual identities.
• Lead on tone of voice, brand narrative, and messaging development.
• Act as a senior strategic advisor to clients, helping them navigate business inflection points through brand consultancy.
• Partner on growth and new business opportunities, shaping proposals and pitching strategic thinking with confidence.
• Mentor and develop the strategy and insight team, building capability and structure as the division grows.
• Work closely with local Manifest studios to ensure smooth client transitions from brand consultancy into creative and campaigning strategy.
• Integrate AI tools and workflows into your process to improve strategic efficiency and creativity.

Who You Are

• A senior brand strategist or strategy director with experience in branding and brand consultancy (not comms or campaign planning).