Creative Strategist

DEPT® is the Growth Invention Company, sitting at the intersection of marketing and technology. The Senior Creative Strategist role is part of our Creative & Media team based in Amsterdam. Our building is filled with a vibrant mix of talents, ranging from Creatives, Influencer Marketers, and a range of Strategists, to Account Managers, AI Experts, and Marketing Automation Consultants. Together, we blend imaginative storytelling, forward-facing creativity, and cutting-edge technology to create impactful creative work that drives growth for our clients like Netflix, Canva, Stokke, Foot Locker, Philips & Praxis.

JOB PURPOSE
The Creative Strategist at DEPT® are at the heart of the action, operating at the intersection of creativity, culture, humanity, business, and technology - helping create work that moves people and drives growth. We don’t have a proprietary framework or process. We don’t like to follow best practices because they’re based on the past. In a world of constant flux and endless opportunity, we believe strategy is crucial to imagine the path forward.

At this level, you are putting your foundational skills into practice and earning authority with clients and creative teams. While our seniors and directors define the vision, you are the indispensable thinker bringing it to life - owning projects, learning through doing, and finding the insights that spark great work.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Own the project: Step up to own more projects and see them through from start to finish, utilizing the guidance and air cover of a Senior/Director when you need it.

Interrogate the challenge: Be a fearless, honest, and suspicious interrogator of the brand, the challenge, and the world it lives in.

Craft the springboard: Consistently develop strategies, briefs, and thought-starters that excite, inspire and give clear direction.

Think beyond boundaries: Connect differently shaped projects and strategies in ways that they all lead to effective outcomes.

That’s the core of it. Beyond that, we expect you to care about the work, the craft and humans, be comfortable in front of crowds and workshops, and be utterly yourself at all times.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

That’s one list. Sorry, here’s another. It’s about some traits we like:

• Relentless curiosity: You love playing the investigative journalist. You get under the skin of the problem, the audience, immerse yourself in the business and throw yourself into culture - all for the betterment of the work (and because there’s no better place than a reddit rabbithole).
• Intelligent imagination: You don't just observe; you make leaps of thinking that reveal entirely new ways of looking at a problem or an opportunity.
• Effective storytelling: You are skilled in the art of writing, crafting arguments and telling stories in ways that help create clarity, excitement and buy-in for ideas.
• Creative development: A strategy isn’t great until it leads to great work. You thrive in inspiring, supporting, protecting, and nurturing creativity from start to finish.
• Distilling complexity: The world is increasingly complex and fragmented. You’re able to process, distill, and demystify that chaos into simple and compelling insights.
• Finger on the pulse: You know what’s going on in culture, in tech, on social and some other weird corners of the internet, and are able to turn that knowledge into action (or just great water cooler conversation).
• Team Player: There’s a perception that the best strategists are mysterious wizards who pontificate from ivory towers - not at DEPT®. Here getting to the best possible work is a team sport. Everyone does their part for the greater good.

Language requirements: We’re looking for someone who can work in Dutch and English. Any other languages are a bonus.

That’s it. Enough lists. If any of this seems right up your alley, we’d love to hear from you.

WHAT NOW

Apart from the CV we would like to see:

A short cover letter that tells us a little about you, your background, and what you want to achieve. It doesn’t need to be super formal. Relax. No one scary will read it. Please write it in your voice.

If you have a portfolio/website, please include it. It’s helpful to know what your role in the work was. And if you’re not currently a strategist, feel free to include some relevant samples of interesting work from other fields.

WE OFFER

• A flexible, hybrid working policy (2-3 days from the office, depending on location) and the opportunity to work from abroad for 13 weeks a year.
• 24 vacation days per year and the possibility to buy an unlimited number of extra vacation days.
• DEPT®/YOU Learning Menu and DEPT®/YOU Special Programs. Develop your skills with courses and programs tailored to your needs.
• Stay happy and healthy with a contribution to your health through the OpenUp platform, gym and wellness discounts, and healthy lunches at the office.
• Get a discount on your lease bike and ride in style. You can also enjoy hassle free-commutes with an NS Business Card.
• A reputation for doing good. DEPT® has been a Certified B Corp® since 2021, has been named a Great Place To Work since 2022 in the Netherlands and named ‘Agency of the Year’ at both The Lovies and The Webby Awards.
• Awesome clients. Whether big, small, local or global — at DEPT® you’ll get the opportunity to work with all of them. And we celebrate all of our successes together!
• You can discover even more employee benefits here.

WHY DEPT®?

We are a Growth Invention company built to help the world’s most ambitious brands grow faster. Operating at the intersection of technology and marketing, we create what is next by pioneering ideas, acting fast, and moving further because standing still just is not in our DNA.

We are drawn to people who stay curious, move with intent, and never stop inventing. Our culture runs on three values: better together, relentlessly curious, and get sh*t done. It is how we work, how we grow, and how we make things that matter.

At DEPT®, you will find the freedom to explore, the space to collaborate, and the trust to make a real impact for our clients, for each other, and for the world we are helping to build.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine.

We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.

Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts here.