VP Strategy

Company Description

Publicis is an omni-channel communications agency with over 600 employees across our Canadian operations.

The office is the largest in our industry in Canada and boasts talent across various disciplines of marketing and advertising expertise. Publicis carries a balanced split of Canadian, U.S. and Global clients for which we are Agency of Record. Publicis supports a range of D&I actions through our Driving Change team as well as giving back to the community through a long-standing participation in the Out of the Cold Program.

With a strong, active and familial culture, Pub United is the agency’s social club, hosting events as wide reaching as Curling, Trivia Nights and more.

The VP, Strategy is a visionary strategist who shapes the future of brands and drives business transformation. This role goes beyond communications planning — it defines the long-term brand ambition, uncovers cultural and consumer truths, and inspires bold creative platforms that set clients apart in the marketplace.

As a senior leader, the VP, Strategy partners with executive leadership and C-suite clients to create enduring brand strategies while mentoring a high-performing team of strategists. The role requires a blend of business acumen, cultural foresight, and creative provocation.

Visionary Brand Strategy

• Define long-term brand positioning, platforms, and purpose that guide all marketing, communications, and innovation efforts.
• Translate cultural, consumer, and category insights into visionary strategies that drive growth and differentiation.
• Anticipate industry and cultural shifts, ensuring brands remain future-proof and culturally relevant.

Thought Leadership & Inspiration

• Act as the strategic voice of the agency, shaping provocative points of view that challenge clients and inspire creative teams.
• Publish, present, and share thought leadership that positions the agency as a trusted, forward-thinking partner.
• Lead workshops and brand visioning sessions with clients and internal teams.

Client Partnership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior clients, influencing brand and business decisions at the highest levels.
• Guide clients through complex challenges — from brand architecture and purpose definition to innovation roadmaps and customer experience strategy.
• Build enduring client relationships based on insight, foresight, and impact.

Creative & Integrated Leadership

• Partner with Creative, Media, and Data leaders to ensure brand strategy translates into breakthrough ideas and experiences.
• Champion integration across channels — brand, digital, CRM, content, social, and experiential — anchored in a strong brand vision.
• Inspire creative teams with clear, ambitious strategic platforms.

Team Leadership

• Lead and mentor a team of strategists, fostering a culture of curiosity, bold thinking, and impact.
• Nurture the next generation of brand leaders by developing strategic craft, confidence, and commercial acumen.
• Model visionary thinking while empowering others to push boundaries.

Business Growth

• Drive organic growth by uncovering opportunities for brand extension, innovation, and new customer engagement.
• Play a leading role in new business pitches, articulating bold visions for prospective clients.
• Ensure the agency’s strategic offering is differentiated, progressive, and indispensable.

• 12+ years in brand strategy, planning, or consulting with a proven record of shaping brand vision at the executive level.
• Experience leading strategy for complex, AOR, or category-defining brands.
• Deep expertise in brand positioning, architecture, and purpose.
• Strong understanding of consumer behavior, cultural trends, and business strategy.
• Inspiring communicator and persuasive storyteller, able to engage both clients and teams.
• Recognized as a thought leader with published POVs, conference speaking, or equivalent contributions.
• Proven track record of mentoring teams and driving agency growth.

Publicis Canada is committed to building a diverse workforce representative of our community. We encourage and are pleased to consider all qualified candidates, without regard to race, colour, citizenship, religion, sex, marital / family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, aboriginal status, age, disability or persons who may require an accommodation, to apply. If you require a specific accommodation please contact Human Resources.