Strategy Director

TBWA\Media Arts Lab is the bespoke global agency for Apple and only Apple. We think different to create impact for the world’s most iconic brand.

We are looking for a Strategy Director to lead the strategic agenda for our client and agency in Korea. This is a senior leadership role requiring deep fluency in creativity, culture, brand and business — and a proven ability to operate as a collaborative force across departments, especially Creative, Account Management, and Media.

You’ll be fully immersed in the cultural, competitive and creative context of Korea, and be generous in sharing this understanding across the agency. You’ll work hand-in-hand with the Creative Lead to shape standout creative ideas, and serve as the client’s trusted partner for strategic insight — the go-to for consumer understanding, cultural opportunities and business opportunities.

This is a role for a leader who brings vision, rigor and creative bravery. Someone who pushes for bold thinking, sharp execution, and impactful work.

The Work

Market & Cultural Context

• Be deeply embedded in Korea’s cultural, creative, consumer and market dynamics.
• Ensure the agency’s creative output is grounded in a nuanced and up-to-date understanding of the local cultural landscape.
• Share cultural understanding and business insight broadly across the agency and with the client.

Thought Leadership & Strategy Development

• Define and own the long-term strategic roadmap for the client in Korea.
• Bring fresh thinking to brand, business, creative, and digital strategy.
• Inspire and guide creative development through insight-driven briefs.

Creative Collaboration

• Partner closely with the Creative Lead from the earliest stages of development.
• Translate insights into inspiring creative briefs that energize teams and sharpen the creative focus, incorporating media approach and campaign structure.

Client Leadership

• Be a strategic partner to senior client stakeholders locally and globally.
• Present strategic thinking with clarity, creativity, and authority.
• Shape, defend, and evolve creative work in partnership with the Creative Leader and Managing Director.

Integration & Collaboration

• Drive deep collaboration across creative, media, and account disciplines.
• Build a particularly close partnership with media, ensuring campaign ideas are brought to life through integrated thinking.
• Use the agency’s Media x Arts philosophy to explore new platforms, formats, and digital behaviors.

Team & Talent Leadership

• Set the standard for the strategy team and lead by example.
• Mentor and develop team members, fostering curiosity and commercial creativity.
• Collaborate on staffing, performance evaluation, and team culture initiatives.

Operational Rigor & Methodology

• Apply strategic discipline using data, tools, research, and insights.
• Leverage past campaign learnings to inform future work.
• Work closely with global strategy and account teams to enhance the strategic output of the KR market.

Inspiration & Cultural Contribution

• Apply strategic discipline using data, tools, research, and insights.
• Act as a source of cultural and creative inspiration for the wider agency.
• Stay ahead of emerging trends in tech, culture, art, and creativity.
• Bring fresh perspectives that elevate the agency’s thinking and output.

Who Will Thrive in This Role?

• Ample experience in brand, communications, or creative strategy — ideally within a leading creative agency.
• Proven track record of owning relationships with senior clients and presenting complex ideas with clarity and conviction.
• Strong creative sensibility — understands how to inspire and shape impactful creative work.
• Deep understanding of the Korean market, including consumer behavior, cultural currents, and media landscape.
• Experience integrating strategy with media, digital, and comms planning.
• Strong leadership ability — able to work constructively across disciplines and with senior peers.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity, solving business problems, and identifying growth opportunities.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English and Korean.
• Experience managing and mentoring a team, with a passion for developing strategic talent.