Group Strategy Director - NatWest

About Us

Initiative unlocks business growth for the world’s most ambitious brands. We believe in the power of media to reshape our industry and orchestrate a brand’s entire consumer experience, by balancing both what unites people and what makes them different.

When brands unite people in culture, they build Fame, and when brands connect individuals to their unique journeys, they build customer Flow.

Media responsibility is at the forefront of everything we do, whether it’s creating media plans that reflect the diversity of our communities, promote brand safety, and foster sustainability.

Our agency celebrates diversity in an inclusive environment where all of our 6,000+ strong talent across 90+ markets feel seen, heard, and valued. Our vision is to create not only a better media company, but also a better media industry, and maybe even a better world.

Role Description

NatWest

We’re looking for a Group Strategy Director who can bring sharp, creative & analytical thinking to Initiative UK’s flagship integrated (Media & Creative) business win.

The Role

Initiative have created ‘Team Utd’ to serve NatWest’ needs across Media & Creative. The Strategy team is key to integration between crafts and ensuring clear direction for the business units within the NatWest brand. You’ll define the strategic direction for how the brand continues to grow penetration, fame and customer lifetime value.

The size of NatWest means Strategy needs to combine long-term brand growth with short-term performance efficiency. You’ll set the strategic rhythm for how media works across awareness, consideration and conversion, partnering closely with clients, performance specialists and comms design teams to ensure media ideas are as emotionally engaging as they are commercially effective.

You’ll guide NatWest communications Strategy, using audience insight, data and cultural understanding to make the Brand distinctive in a category that moves fast and innovates faster.

You’ll work closely with Initiative’s comms design, data and creative partnerships teams to apply our Fame & Flow approach, creating strategies that capture attention, create bold ideas and turn them into consistent, measurable growth. As part of Team Utd, you’ll also work with the creative team to ensure the Strategy you define is carried out in the consumer facing messaging produced for NatWest.

Key Responsibilities

Client

• Understand client businesses and challenges.

• Contribute confidently in meetings with clear strategic viewpoints.

• Deliver innovative, insight‑driven thinking that leads to standout work.

• Turn complex data into simple, compelling strategic recommendations.

• Equip teams to articulate strategic direction.

• Drive performance against client and strategy KPIs.

Internal

• Develop and oversee strategies that deliver measurable results.

• Champion strategic thinking, consumer insight, and cultural understanding.

• Lead planning processes and ensure consistent adoption of tools.

• Collaborate effectively with internal teams and external partners.

• Mentor Strategists and shape high‑quality ideas.

• Use research to uncover insights that strengthen brand connections.

• Partner with Analytics to evolve planning tools and models.

• Lead ideation sessions to generate impactful communications ideas.

• Share best‑in‑class case studies and contribute to agency culture.

Commercial

• Identify and support revenue opportunities through strategic excellence.

• Build strong partner relationships to unlock growth for clients and the agency.

New Business

• Contribute strategic thinking to new business pitches.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Experienced in integrated strategy and planning roles in media, creative, innovation or communications discipline (digital, content, invention, social, activation)

• Excellent understanding of the strategic process that is channel agnostic and how to apply to a client challenge or brief to deliver optimal solutions

• Excellent understanding of media implementation planning and investment systems, processes and goals and how these connect to the communications platform and strategic process

• Ability to think differently: creative & adaptive, entrepreneurial, independently minded; deeply immersed in cultural understanding and driven by a desire to know more the world / to better understand people’s motivations & behaviors in the shifting landscape

Employee Transparency

At IPG Mediabrands, we celebrate differences and believe this makes us stronger. IPG Mediabrands are an equal-opportunity employer committed to championing an inclusive culture that provides a sense of belonging for all our employees. We do not discriminate against any applicant based on age, disability, race, colour, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, belief, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please reach out to Ninette at [email protected], if you would like to have a confidential conversation regarding any adjustments that would ensure our recruitment process is accessible for you. Please note requesting a reasonable adjustment will not affect your application.

The Perks

We aim to provide all our people with a supportive and fun work environment where you can develop your full potential and benefit from the broad range of opportunities within the agency. When you join us, we want to make sure you feel valued – and that you are rewarded for your fantastic work. So, we also offer a range of benefits:

• Flexi–leave, with 25 days annual leave to be taken as minimum. In addition to your holiday entitlement, the office usually closes between Christmas & New Year

• Free breakfast and free lunch

• Early finish Fridays

• Core Hours (Mon-Thurs, flexible start/finish times)

• Retail discounts

• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice car scheme

• Wellbeing programme, including Headspace & flu jabs

• Interest free season ticket loan

• Paid time off for Volunteering

• Group Income Protection

• Life Assurance

• Private Medical Insurance or Health Cash Plan (dependent on level)

• Group Personal Pension Plan with matched contributions from 3-6%

• Generous Parental Leave & Pay

• Independent mortgage advice

• Financial education

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Free eye tests

• Flexible benefits including Dental, Travel insurance, Cycle to Work, Gym Discounts and many more!