Director, Consumer Strategy & Insights

About the Role

You will direct the consumer insights practice for your assigned brand, conducting deep investigations into culture, brands, and people with a specific focus on the automotive culture, larger competitive landscape, and potential buyers, influencers, and other market drivers.

Responsibilities

• Understand (35%)
  • Understand the category, brand, consumer, and communications challenge to strengthen audience connections.
  • Use research and data to uncover consumer, brand, and channel insights.
  • Apply planning and insights tools, including Linnaeus, MRI/Simmons, GWI, VideoAmp, and related resources.
• Create (50%)
  • Turn data and analysis into compelling stories, presentations, and strategic recommendations.
  • Develop Activation Briefs for assigned brands and new business that keep work on strategy.
  • Lead ideation across media channels and inspire creative use of existing and emerging vehicles.
  • Share emerging trends and thought leadership that bring fresh perspective to clients and the agency.
• Manage (15%)
  • Build strong relationships with Canvas strategy, channel planning, clients, and agency partners.
  • Stay current on audience behaviors and channel opportunities to strengthen consumer insights.
  • Advance Canvas’ insights capabilities through new tools and improved ways of working.

Qualifications

• Influential leader who builds strong internal and external relationships and collaborates effectively within a matrix structure.
• Skilled at synthesizing qualitative and quantitative findings into compelling storytelling that informs, influences, and shapes strategy.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills, with an eye for effective presentation design.
• Resourceful, proactive self-starter with strong accountability, sound judgment, and the ability to drive projects from start to finish.
• Adaptable problem solver who can prioritize multiple tasks, work independently when needed, and learn new tools quickly.
• Intellectually curious, service-oriented, and committed to truth and objectivity.
• Open to testing new approaches and learning from what works—and what does not.

Experience & Education

• Six to eight years’ experience at an agency or in a consumer-focused role (e.g., strategic/account planner at a creative agency or connections planner at a media agency).
• Previous experience working in the automotive industry is a plus.
• Facility with all relevant data sources (1st, 2nd, 3rd party).
• Strong consumer quantitative/syndicated research expertise.
• Client presentation history.

Pay

Actual base salary is determined upon factors such as experience, qualifications, training, certifications, and internal equity. The company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time.

Benefits

• Highly competitive benefits including generous medical, dental, vision, and pet insurance.
• Commuter benefits, disability and life insurance coverage.
• 401(k) matching.
• Up to 14 holidays per year, a “Do Good Day,” and unlimited PTO.
• Employee social and wellness events, a DEI Council, auto purchase rebate program, and monthly wellness allowance.
• In-office amenities such as fresh kombucha and an in-house barista at the El Segundo office.

Schedule

This is a hybrid role, requiring a minimum of 3 days in-office per week.