Creative Strategy Director

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 Director

The Creative Strategy Director is a senior leader responsible for shaping and guiding the strategic and creative vision of a brand, campaign, or project. This role bridges the gap between business goals and creative execution, ensuring that creative solutions are grounded in insight, drive brand growth, and resonate with target audiences across all platforms.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Strategic Leadership: Develop and articulate creative strategies that align with client objectives, market trends, and cultural insights. Lead brand positioning, campaign platforms, and go-to-market narratives.
2. Creative Direction: Collaborate with creative teams (art directors, copywriters, designers) to turn strategic ideas into compelling creative outputs. Ensure creative excellence and consistency across all touchpoints.
3. Client Partnership: Serve as a strategic advisor to clients, translating their business challenges into innovative and effective creative solutions. Present and defend creative strategies with confidence and clarity.
4. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with ARC/MS Product teams to create integrated campaigns that deliver measurable results.
5. Team Development & Mentorship: Lead, inspire, and mentor a team of strategists and creatives. Foster a culture of innovation, experimentation, and continuous learning.
6. Market Intelligence: Stay ahead of industry trends, competitor activity, and consumer behavior to inform strategic thinking and drive creative differentiation.
Qualifications:
1. 10+ years of experience in strategic or creative leadership roles, preferably within an agency or brand environment.
2. Proven track record of developing and launching successful integrated campaigns.
3. Strong storytelling, presentation, and communication skills.
4. Deep understanding of branding, digital platforms, content strategy, and consumer insights.
5. Ability to lead through influence, with high emotional intelligence and collaborative spirit.
6. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Advertising, or related field (or equivalent experience).

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.