Strategy Lead - Toronto (or NY)

About Gemic

Gemic is a global consultancy specializing in business and innovation strategy. We help leading organizations drive sustainable growth by applying human-centered research and systemic analysis of emerging cultural, business, and technological change.

Our strategy consultants deliver research, business insights, and cultural analysis to inform growth and brand strategies for clients all over the world in many industries.

Gemic is looking to fill the role of a Strategy Lead in the Toronto or New York area who can join our Commercial Impact practice. Our client portfolio in this practice includes pharmaceuticals, CPG, consumer health, fashion, luxury, automotive, and more.

This role is for an experienced Strategy Lead that can primarily support the area of health and pharma within the Commercial Impact practice, while also being able to flex into other sectors.  

We’re looking for an experienced person who can: 

• Lead sizeable and complex projects with multiple workstreams where you are the primary POC for clients, and with Gemic teams of 3-5 people
• Be a strategic leader and guide across all work – leading teams in developing persuasive, impactful narratives and frameworks, and driving the approach to both research and output creation
• Excel at producing fast, relevant, clear, concise and visually compelling work
• Bring significant expertise in qualitative methodologies (e.g., ethnography, semi-structured interviewing, semiotics, digital anthropology), along with a basic fluency in quantitative research
• Inspire trust and confidence from clients, serving as the primary contact for clients during and beyond projects
• Ensure project timelines and profitability stay on or exceeds target
• Provide leadership and mentorship to junior team members, fostering their professional growth and development
• Lead and contribute to business development through proposal writing, and bolstering existing client relationships 
• Work with Directors and Partners to grow existing client relationships, forge strategic partnerships, and diversify service offerings within the practice
  

The ideal candidate brings:

• 8+ years of client-facing experience in agency or consulting, or 5+ years in consulting combined with other relevant experience (e.g., public sector, client-side roles, etc.)
• Experience designing, overseeing, and executing global qualitative and quantitative research, including ethnography
• Proven background in any or all categories of innovation strategy, brand strategy, brand development, insights 
• Experience working with health and pharmaceutical brands, ideally with clients in functions including commercial insights, HEOR, marketing, and/or patient engagement
• Expert project management skills
• Client management skills that project maturity, confidence, and trustworthiness
• A desire to work at the intersections of brand, business, culture and strategy and develop strategies from a human-centered approach 
• Keen cultural analysis; background in a social science is an asset

• Adept translation of research and insights for clients without over-complication
• Resourcefulness, reliability, responsibility, curiosity, and adaptability

Practical requirements:

• Working arrangement:
  • For Toronto & region: Comfortable and able to work remotely, with opportunities to work in person with Toronto and NYC teams for specific engagements
  • For NYC: Can work from our Brooklyn office minimum 2-3 days per week
• ~10-15% travel for in-person research and client engagements 
• Location and eligibility: Must reside in and be legally authorized to work in either the New York (U.S. work permit required) or Toronto area (Canadian work permit required) as of the start date

What we offer – Toronto:

• Salary range: Toronto: $135,000-170,000 CAD (commensurate with experience, background and readiness to top-level role expectations)
• Paid Time Off: Twenty-five (25) vacation days per calendar year, eleven (11) public holidays, two (2) personal days, and five (5) sick days 
• Retirement Savings (RRSPs): Gemic will match the regular contributions with a maximum of 3% of annual earnings.  No max for employee contributions or withdrawals
• Health Benefits: includes Critical illness, short and long term disability coverage, life insurance, dental care and a Health Care Spending Account ($1,000 annually for extra out-of-pocket health costs); counseling available through Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and Emergency Travel Assistance Services
• Learning and Development Stipend - $950 CAD annually

Gemic is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace, and we encourage all qualified individuals to apply, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.