Director, Strategy

Director, Strategy & Insights Work location Toronto, Ontario (hybrid) About us Over the past 50 years, NATIONAL has helped organizations navigate moments of transformation, build trust, and solve the business challenges that matter most. As one of Canada's largest independent communications consultancies, we combine strategic advisory, communications, public affairs, digital, healthcare, creative and research expertise to help leading public and private sector organizations shape reputation, influence stakeholders and drive business outcomes. We believe the future of communication sits at the intersection of business strategy, executive leadership, and stakeholder trust. Our Toronto team is growing its strategy practice and is looking for a leader who thrives in ambiguity, enjoys solving complex business problems, and is excited to help clients navigate change. The role As Director, Strategy & Insights, you'll serve as a trusted strategic advisor to senior executives, helping clients solve complex business and reputation challenges through research, insight, and integrated communication strategy. You will lead high-impact strategic engagements, facilitate executive workshops, uncover opportunities for growth, and work across multidisciplinary teams to develop integrated strategies that influence business decisions, not just communications plans. This is a leadership role for someone who enjoys asking better questions, connecting disparate ideas, and helping organizations navigate transformation. Key responsibilities Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to senior client leaders, helping them navigate complex business, reputation, and stakeholder challenges Lead research, insight generation, and strategic planning for high-profile client mandates across corporate reputation, executive positioning, transformation, public affairs and integrated communications Design and facilitate executive workshops, strategy sessions, and stakeholder engagements that help clients align around business priorities Translate qualitative and quantitative research into actionable business and communications strategies Develop compelling narratives, positioning platforms, audience strategies, and thought leadership programs Identify emerging client needs and proactively develop opportunities to expand strategic advisory relationships Lead the strategic direction of major proposals and new business pursuits, contributing to the Firm’s continued growth Mentor and develop consultants, helping build NATIONAL’s strategic advisory capability Contribute to the evolution of NATIONAL’s proprietary strategic methodologies, research approaches and advisory offerings Qualifications 10+ years of experience advising senior leaders on business, reputation, communications, transformation or stakeholder strategy Experience in management consulting, strategic communications, brand strategy, public affairs, corporate affairs, or a related advisory environment Exceptional facilitation skills with experience leading executive workshops and strategic planning sessions Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex research into compelling strategic recommendations Strong commercial instinct with experience identifying growth opportunities and expanding client relationships Outstanding written and verbal communications skills with confidence presenting to executive audiences High degree of comfort using AI-enabled tools to accelerate research, synthesis and strategic thinking Abilities You enjoy helping organizations answer questions they haven’t yet learned to ask Naturally curious with exceptional critical thinking and problem-solving abilities Able to simplify complexity and help clients make confident decisions Comfortable working in ambiguity and leading through change Strong executive presence with the ability to influence senior stakeholders Commercial mindset with a passion for growing client relationships and developing new opportunities Collaborative leader who enjoy…