About the Role
LEO MEA (Middle East & Africa) is seeking a Business Director - Strategy & Insights to be based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This role is for a strategic leader focused on strategy, culture, creativity, and innovation. The position involves shaping strategic thinking for brands, leading teams, and driving work that achieves business impact and creative excellence. The ideal candidate will be adept as a strategist, storyteller, collaborator, and provocateur, capable of challenging conventional thinking, uncovering human insights, and providing bold strategic direction.
As the Strategy & Insights Director, you will lead strategic thinking for key client accounts and contribute to the agency's and Groupe's future vision. You will collaborate with leadership, creative, data, media, and client teams to deliver integrated, insight-led solutions that drive growth and effectiveness. The role also includes nurturing strategic talent, championing innovation, contributing to new business development, and embedding the Power of One philosophy.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead strategic development for regional and global clients, ensuring brand, communication, and cultural strategies are based on human behavior, data, and insight.
- Inspire creative teams by delivering briefs, strategic thinking, and insights that uncover human truths.
- Champion creative thinking and collaborate with teams to drive impactful, culturally relevant work, contributing to effectiveness and creative award submissions.
- Identify strategic opportunities to transform brands, businesses, and consumer experiences, driving participation in agency initiatives.
- Utilize data, research, technology, and cultural intelligence to uncover client opportunities, monitoring trends to translate them into actionable business and creative strategies.
- Maintain knowledge of emerging technologies, AI tools, and innovation platforms to inform strategic recommendations and develop new approaches to storytelling and strategic delivery.
- Serve as an expert on client categories, competitive landscapes, and market dynamics, enhancing strategic thinking across the team through mentorship and coaching.
- Play a leading role in new business pitches, strategic workshops, and growth opportunities, building senior-level client relationships and presenting strategic recommendations to executive stakeholders.
- Facilitate workshops to unlock business, brand, and creative opportunities, collaborating cross-functionally to deliver integrated solutions aligned with the Power of One model, and contributing to the agency's market reputation.
- Lead, mentor, and develop strategic talent, building succession plans and creating growth opportunities for strategists.
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture, encouraging curiosity, creativity, and strategic ambition.
- Create an environment where diverse perspectives are valued and individuals feel empowered to contribute.
Qualifications and Requirements
- A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business, Marketing, Strategy, Innovation, Research, Data, or a related field.
- 12 to 15+ years of experience in Strategy, Planning, Brand Strategy, or Creative Strategy roles.
- Proven experience leading strategic work for large-scale brands and integrated campaigns.
- Strong leadership and stakeholder management capabilities.
- Demonstrated ability to drive both business effectiveness and creative excellence.
- A strategic thinker capable of connecting business challenges with human behavior, culture, and creativity.
- Strong storytelling and presentation skills with the ability to influence at senior levels.
- A collaborative leader who thrives in fast-paced, dynamic environments.
- Combines analytical rigor with creative instinct.
- Passionate about delivering work that creates measurable impact and earns recognition.
- Deep curiosity around culture, technology, innovation, and the evolving consumer landscape.
- A mentor and team builder who enjoys developing talent.
- Strong understanding of the Saudi market and regional consumer landscape is highly preferred.
- Native Arabic speaker is preferred.
Required Skills
- Strategy Development
- Cultural Insight
- Creative Direction
- Innovation Leadership
- Strategic Planning
- Storytelling and Presentation
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Data Analysis and Research
- Understanding of Technology Trends and AI Tools
- Business Growth Strategies
- Client Relationship Management
- Stakeholder Management
- Team Leadership and Mentorship
- Analytical Rigor
- Creative Instinct
- Saudi Market Expertise
Work Environment and Details
This is a full-time position based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The role requires over 10 years of experience. The company is LEO MEA (Middle East & Africa).