Our Purpose

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

Title and Summary

Creative Strategy Manager

Overview
The Data & Services team is a key differentiator for Mastercard, providing the cutting-edge services that help our customers grow. Centered on data-driven technologies and innovation, this team provides consulting, marketing, loyalty and analytics to financial institutions and merchants globally. Marketing Services is the team within D&S that develops and executes the marketing programs that help our clients achieve their marketing goals. The Advisors Creative Desk sits within D&S and is responsible for ideating and creating engaging, forward-thinking, on-brand content solutions that connect our advertising partners, platforms, and our portfolio of brands.
As Creative Strategist you will have a creative flair, always seeking innovative and new creative directions for our clients grounded in data driven insights and with cognisance of market trends. You will relish working in a fast-paced environment and be able to manage multiple creative briefs. You will have solid stakeholder engagement communication and specifically presentation skills.

Role
•\tAs Creative Strategy Manager, you are responsible for developing brand, creative and communication strategies for our clients that align to the brand and objectives, factoring in data informed insights
•\tYou will ensure the smooth handover and understanding of the creative strategy to the respective Creative Manager, jointly briefing the creative development team to enable execution
•\tCo-leading creative ideation sessions with the Creative Managers for larger client projects of strategic importance, and being active and available to guide the creative team and interface with the client on such projects through to completion as needed
•\tSupporting the Creative Managers with smaller client project creative ideation sessions as needed.
•\tManaging multiple briefs and projects at one time
•\tWorking alongside the Creative Project Managers to align on business priorities to best utilize your skills.
•\tInput to estimating, negotiating and agreeing budget and timescales with Creative Project Managers.
•\tLiaise with Advisors Research Centre and local ACS team as needed to obtain market intel and client nuances.
•\tContinually keep abreast of marketing and in-market trends regarding both consumer behaviours, creative and media trends.

All About You
•\tMinimum of 8 years’ strategic experience within leading advertising agencies, preferably within global network agencies, currently holding a role such as Strategy Director, Creative Strategy Director or Group Strategy Director
•\tDemonstrated success in leading and delivering high-impact, big-budget integrated marketing campaigns.
•\tProven expertise in developing comprehensive brand strategies, campaign planning, and managing full-funnel customer journeys across diverse channels, including ATL, BTL, digital, and direct marketing.
•\tProven experience managing senior level client and internal stakeholders
•\tTrack record of influencing award-winning creative outcomes through strategic guidance.
•\tStrong understanding of consumer behavior, market research, and competitive analysis; proficient in engaging and briefing external research agencies, translating insights and data into actionable strategies.
•\tAdept at defining client briefs and presenting concepts back to clients, drawing on research and data
•\tStrong conceptual thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate ideas effectively.
•\tSkilled at working under pressure
•\tBachelor's degree required; advanced qualifications such as a Master's degree in Marketing, Creative Communications, or MBA highly preferred.
•\tEnglish required, any other additional language is a plus.

Corporate Security Responsibility

All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must:

Abide by Mastercard’s security policies and practices;

Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;

Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and

Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard’s guidelines.