Creative Strategist
Pinch, New York, NY, United States
Location: NYC (preferred), or Los Angeles
About the Agency
As an immersive design studio, Pinch activates big ideas, bold thinking, and beautiful design for culture-driven brands. Emphasizing tactility, materiality, and the five senses, Pinch creates experiences and environments that engage on multi-sensory and emotional levels. Co-founded by friends and industry veterans, Pinch acts as the creative counterpart to LA-based production house Salt. From the outside, we’re a creative powerhouse, pairing strategic design with production expertise to flawlessly execute next level experiences. Inside, we’re a radically compassionate company, burning down traditional agency norms by centering people and giving creativity the space and support to thrive. We spark curiosity, foster community, and inspire action with the potency of a Pinch. Position Overview
The Senior Creative Strategist is responsible for uncovering the human, cultural, and business insights that power our most compelling experiential and integrated work. This role goes beyond surface-level ideation — leading deep research, synthesis, and strategic development that informs breakthrough creative. You will shape the strategic foundation for major pitches, campaigns, and experiential programs by translating research, trends, and data into actionable creative direction. Working across disciplines, you’ll ensure every idea is grounded in insight and every experience delivers against brand and business objectives. This role is equal parts analyst, cultural observer, storyteller, and creative partner — helping teams move from “cool idea” to strategically sharp, insight-driven work. Insights & Research Leadership
Lead development of insights-driven strategies across experiential, integrated campaigns, and new business pitches Conduct and synthesize multiple inputs including: Cultural and consumer research Trend and foresight analysis Social listening and behavioral data Client data and research Identify tensions, opportunities, and emerging cultural signals that can inform creative direction Translate research findings into clear, actionable strategic insights Develop audience frameworks, journey maps, and behavioral profiles that guide creative development Creative Experience & Strategy Development
Build strategic platforms that inform experiential concepts, environments, and campaigns Write inspiring creative briefs grounded in insight and opportunity Partner closely with Creative Directors, designers, and producers to shape ideas from early concept through execution Ensure all creative work ladders back to a clear strategic foundation and defined objectives Help teams connect storytelling, spatial design, content, and interaction into cohesive experiences Bring a strong point of view on how brands show up meaningfully in culture and physical space Client Strategy & Thought Partnership
Act as a strategic partner to clients — building trust through strong thinking and clear communication Lead or support discovery sessions, workshops, and stakeholder interviews Present insights, strategies, and creative rationales with clarity and confidence Help clients understand the “why” behind creative decisions and experiential approaches Identify opportunities to deepen strategic engagement and grow accounts New Business & Pitch Leadership
Lead strategy development for priority RFPs and new business opportunities Rapidly synthesize category, brand, and audience insights to inform pitch direction Partner with creative leadership to shape breakthrough pitch platforms and narratives Develop strategic storytelling for presentations that clearly connect insight > idea > experience Help ensure pitches are differentiated, culturally relevant, and insight-led Collaboration & Internal Leadership
Inspire cross-functional teams to think insight-first Mentor junior strategists or creatives developing strategic skillsets Contribute to agency-wide strategic tools, templates, and methodologies Help evolve how strategy integrates into creative and production workflows Stay ahead of cultural, consumer, and experiential trends and share with internal teams Core Competencies
Exceptional ability to uncover and articulate actionable human and cultural insights Strong understanding of brand strategy, experience design, and storytelling Ability to connect research and data to creative opportunity Skilled at translating complexity into clear, compelling narratives Deep curiosity about culture, behavior, and emerging trends Strong collaboration skills across creative, production, and account teams Ability to move between big-picture thinking and detail-level execution Comfort operating in fast-paced, evolving agency environments Qualifications
8+ years in brand strategy, creative strategy, or experiential strategy Experience developing strategy for experiential, integrated campaigns, or brand activations Proven ability to generate insights that inform breakthrough creative work Strong presentation and storytelling skills Experience leading strategy for pitches and client engagements Background in cultural research, communications planning, brand planning, or similar strategic discipline Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in strategy, marketing, communications, or related field Travel & Mobility
Ability to travel 25% Ability to work irregular hours in addition to normal business hours, to include nights, weekends and holidays as needed PINCH’S CORE VALUES + YOU:
Joy Begets Creativity:
In the heat of the project, can we find moments of fun and levity? When stressed, anxious about succeeding, or frustrated with process, good ideas are hard to come by. Great ones, nearly impossible. You help contribute to a creative and positive work environment by being collaborative, open to ideas, and treating team members with respect. Go Beyond the Ask:
At face value, many projects seem destined to produce uninspiring results. We ask ourselves, can the core goals be hijacked –hopefully with a core client as an accomplice– to ensure we can create stories that are interesting, cool, or even fun. Let’s give clients what they need, but are unable to articulate and opening them up to possibilities that they may not have imagined. You help facilitate this discovery process by pushing the work by being inquisitive, keeping yourself up-to-date with cultural trends, and expressing your point of view. Never Arrive:
Stagnation kills creative (and companies). Brands need to grow and evolve, teams need to grow and evolve, companies need to grow and evolve. Can we push ourselves and our clients to stay ahead of the current, to realize that success always needs to evolve beyond what we know or feel comfortable with. You contribute to the growth and success of the team by holding yourself to a high standard of excellence and taking risks. Human Beings Feelings:
“Feel Something.” A fundamental need for human beings is to connect with something that feels magical and special. This comes through moments which move us emotionally, and separate us from daily concerns. You keep Pinch accountable to its values by keeping our “why” at the forefront of your work.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
About the Agency
As an immersive design studio, Pinch activates big ideas, bold thinking, and beautiful design for culture-driven brands. Emphasizing tactility, materiality, and the five senses, Pinch creates experiences and environments that engage on multi-sensory and emotional levels. Co-founded by friends and industry veterans, Pinch acts as the creative counterpart to LA-based production house Salt. From the outside, we’re a creative powerhouse, pairing strategic design with production expertise to flawlessly execute next level experiences. Inside, we’re a radically compassionate company, burning down traditional agency norms by centering people and giving creativity the space and support to thrive. We spark curiosity, foster community, and inspire action with the potency of a Pinch. Position Overview
The Senior Creative Strategist is responsible for uncovering the human, cultural, and business insights that power our most compelling experiential and integrated work. This role goes beyond surface-level ideation — leading deep research, synthesis, and strategic development that informs breakthrough creative. You will shape the strategic foundation for major pitches, campaigns, and experiential programs by translating research, trends, and data into actionable creative direction. Working across disciplines, you’ll ensure every idea is grounded in insight and every experience delivers against brand and business objectives. This role is equal parts analyst, cultural observer, storyteller, and creative partner — helping teams move from “cool idea” to strategically sharp, insight-driven work. Insights & Research Leadership
Lead development of insights-driven strategies across experiential, integrated campaigns, and new business pitches Conduct and synthesize multiple inputs including: Cultural and consumer research Trend and foresight analysis Social listening and behavioral data Client data and research Identify tensions, opportunities, and emerging cultural signals that can inform creative direction Translate research findings into clear, actionable strategic insights Develop audience frameworks, journey maps, and behavioral profiles that guide creative development Creative Experience & Strategy Development
Build strategic platforms that inform experiential concepts, environments, and campaigns Write inspiring creative briefs grounded in insight and opportunity Partner closely with Creative Directors, designers, and producers to shape ideas from early concept through execution Ensure all creative work ladders back to a clear strategic foundation and defined objectives Help teams connect storytelling, spatial design, content, and interaction into cohesive experiences Bring a strong point of view on how brands show up meaningfully in culture and physical space Client Strategy & Thought Partnership
Act as a strategic partner to clients — building trust through strong thinking and clear communication Lead or support discovery sessions, workshops, and stakeholder interviews Present insights, strategies, and creative rationales with clarity and confidence Help clients understand the “why” behind creative decisions and experiential approaches Identify opportunities to deepen strategic engagement and grow accounts New Business & Pitch Leadership
Lead strategy development for priority RFPs and new business opportunities Rapidly synthesize category, brand, and audience insights to inform pitch direction Partner with creative leadership to shape breakthrough pitch platforms and narratives Develop strategic storytelling for presentations that clearly connect insight > idea > experience Help ensure pitches are differentiated, culturally relevant, and insight-led Collaboration & Internal Leadership
Inspire cross-functional teams to think insight-first Mentor junior strategists or creatives developing strategic skillsets Contribute to agency-wide strategic tools, templates, and methodologies Help evolve how strategy integrates into creative and production workflows Stay ahead of cultural, consumer, and experiential trends and share with internal teams Core Competencies
Exceptional ability to uncover and articulate actionable human and cultural insights Strong understanding of brand strategy, experience design, and storytelling Ability to connect research and data to creative opportunity Skilled at translating complexity into clear, compelling narratives Deep curiosity about culture, behavior, and emerging trends Strong collaboration skills across creative, production, and account teams Ability to move between big-picture thinking and detail-level execution Comfort operating in fast-paced, evolving agency environments Qualifications
8+ years in brand strategy, creative strategy, or experiential strategy Experience developing strategy for experiential, integrated campaigns, or brand activations Proven ability to generate insights that inform breakthrough creative work Strong presentation and storytelling skills Experience leading strategy for pitches and client engagements Background in cultural research, communications planning, brand planning, or similar strategic discipline Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in strategy, marketing, communications, or related field Travel & Mobility
Ability to travel 25% Ability to work irregular hours in addition to normal business hours, to include nights, weekends and holidays as needed PINCH’S CORE VALUES + YOU:
Joy Begets Creativity:
In the heat of the project, can we find moments of fun and levity? When stressed, anxious about succeeding, or frustrated with process, good ideas are hard to come by. Great ones, nearly impossible. You help contribute to a creative and positive work environment by being collaborative, open to ideas, and treating team members with respect. Go Beyond the Ask:
At face value, many projects seem destined to produce uninspiring results. We ask ourselves, can the core goals be hijacked –hopefully with a core client as an accomplice– to ensure we can create stories that are interesting, cool, or even fun. Let’s give clients what they need, but are unable to articulate and opening them up to possibilities that they may not have imagined. You help facilitate this discovery process by pushing the work by being inquisitive, keeping yourself up-to-date with cultural trends, and expressing your point of view. Never Arrive:
Stagnation kills creative (and companies). Brands need to grow and evolve, teams need to grow and evolve, companies need to grow and evolve. Can we push ourselves and our clients to stay ahead of the current, to realize that success always needs to evolve beyond what we know or feel comfortable with. You contribute to the growth and success of the team by holding yourself to a high standard of excellence and taking risks. Human Beings Feelings:
“Feel Something.” A fundamental need for human beings is to connect with something that feels magical and special. This comes through moments which move us emotionally, and separate us from daily concerns. You keep Pinch accountable to its values by keeping our “why” at the forefront of your work.
#J-18808-Ljbffr