• Lead the strategic direction across multiple clients and creative pods
• Define and uphold the quality bar for strategic thinking and output
• Ensure strategy consistently identifies the real business problem and human tension
• Guide the development of insights, strategy narratives and opportunity territories
• Translate complex inputs into clear, simple strategic direction
• Ensure all work connects human behaviour, cultural relevance and commercial impact

• Act as a senior strategic partner to Creative leadership
• Develop creative strategies and briefs that inspire great ideas
• Help shape ideas from concept through execution
• Provide strategic feedback that strengthens the work, not slows it down
• Champion work internally and externally by grounding ideas in human truth and strategic clarity

• Serve as a senior strategic voice in client relationships
• Lead high-level strategic conversations with senior client stakeholders
• Present compelling strategy narratives that connect insight, idea and business impact
• Help clients reframe challenges and uncover new growth opportunities

• Lead the development of behaviour-led connections strategies
• Define channel roles, consumer triggers and influence points across the journey
• Ensure strategy integrates media, creative, commerce, retail and experiential
• Guide teams in mapping how ideas travel across platforms and moments

• Collaborate with a team of senior strategists
• Foster a culture of curiosity, collaboration, creativity and strategic rigor
• Be part of a team known for clarity of thinking, strong briefs and inspiring insights
• Encourage experimentation and new approaches to strategic thinking

• Lead strategy on new business pitches and opportunities
• Identify areas for organic client growth and expanded partnerships
• Contribute to the evolution of Salt’s Experiential Commerce™ strategic offering
• Help position Salt as a strategic thought leader with clients and in the industry

• 7-10+ years of experience in strategy, planning, connections planning, or integrated marketing
• Experience leading strategy across complex, integrated marketing programs
• Proven ability to turn insights and human truths into inspiring creative strategy
• Strong experience connecting culture, behaviour and commerce
• Deep understanding of media ecosystems, consumer journeys and modern marketing channels
• Strong creative briefing and idea development experience
• Exceptional storytelling and presentation skills
• Experience leading senior client relationships and strategic conversations
• Experience collaborating and mentoring high-performing strategy teams
• Ability to simplify complexity into clear strategic direction

• Finds the real problem rather than accepting the assignment
• Is relentlessly curious about people, culture and behaviour
• Thinks in ideas and opportunities — not just analysis
• Believes strategy should inspire creativity, not constrain it
• Has the confidence to make decisions and take a point of view
• Is comfortable navigating ambiguity and complexity
• Brings both creative instinct and commercial pragmatism
• Raises the ambition of the work while helping teams focus on what matters most

PERKS & BENEFITS THAT SET US APART  

We don’t just talk about balance, growth, and culture, we build for it:  

• Work-Life Flexibility: Hybrid setup, up to 28 paid days off, winter holiday shutdowns.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Health, dental, and vision plans, plus Salt Bucks to spend on what matters to you—wellness, RRSPs, or extra time off.  
• Growth-Driven Culture: Dedicated Salt Days, top-tier learning access, and formal leadership development.  
• Celebration-First Mentality: Legendary team trips, seasonal socials, and Salt Swag that reps your squad.  
• Real Rewards: Referral and new business bonuses, exclusive lifestyle perks, and personalized wellness options.  
• Culture of Belonging: DEI programs, active ERGs, and a workplace where every voice counts.  

WHAT WE STAND FOR  

• Salt of the Earth: We lead with humility, honesty, and heart—always.  
• Do What’s Right: No shortcuts. We choose integrity over ease, every time. 
• Earn Your Salt: We roll up our sleeves, chase results, and celebrate the journey. 
• Make Things Better: We’re solution-seekers, always pushing for smarter ways forward. 
• Seek Different Perspectives: Diversity fuels our thinking. Inclusion drives our impact. 

ROLE: GROUP STRATEGY DIRECTOR

TEAM: THE KITCHEN NORTH AMERICA

LOCATION: CHICAGO (HYBRID - 3 DAYS ONSITE)

Position Overview
The Group Strategy Director is a leadership role within The Kitchen -Kraft Heinz’s integrated creative function- uniquely embedded into the Kraft Heinz business, responsible for driving strategic excellence across a designated business unit comprising 4-8 consumer-facing brands. This individual will serve as a strategic consult for their business unit, connecting brand objectives to actionable insights and creative direction for The Kitchen. Reporting to the Head of Strategy in The Kitchen, the Group Strategy Director will lead a team of strategists, collaborate with creative and communication leads, and act as a strategic partner to senior marketing leadership within their business unit.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership
• Lead the strategic planning process for your assigned brands in The Kitchen, identifying opportunities for growth, innovation, and market differentiation.
• Learn these brands, inside and out. Provide thought leadership to help elevate brand positioning, messaging, and consumer engagement strategies.
• Help develop and maintain the long-term creative strategic vision for the business unit, ensuring alignment with overarching company objectives.
2. Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Act as the primary strategic partner for Brand Communication and General Manager counterparts, ensuring alignment across creative, as well as owned, earned, and paid media channels.
• Embed into the business’ standing meetings and routines to ensure 360 understanding of the business.
• Collaborate closely with creative, insights, and analytics teams to translate data into actionable strategies.
• Serve as the voice of creative strategy in senior-level business unit meetings, representing The Kitchen with professionalism and expertise.
3. Team Management
• Manage and mentor a team of Pod Strategists and Social Managers within The Kitchen, contributing to a culture of collaboration, creativity and high performance.
• Ensure integration and understanding of strategic insights into creative briefs and campaign planning across Kitchen work.
• Drive accountability by setting clear goals, performance metrics, and professional development plans for Kitchen team members.
4. Consumer Insights & Market Trends
• Stay ahead of market trends, cultural shifts, and consumer behavior to proactively inform brand strategies.
• Partner with Consumer Insights specialists to leverage research and analytics in building data-driven strategies.
• Identify and capitalize on emerging opportunities for the business unit’s portfolio of brands.
5. Operational Excellence
• Ensure all Kitchen strategic deliverables are completed on time, within scope, and of the highest quality.
• Proactively address challenges, bottlenecks, and resource needs across the business unit.
• Contribute to the broader strategic vision of The Kitchen as part of its leadership team.

Requirements

Education & Experience

• 10+ years of experience in brand strategy, creative strategy, or marketing roles, preferably within a Fortune 500 CPG company or top-tier creative agency
• Proven track record of leading strategy for multiple brands or a portfolio of products, demonstrating success in driving business growth and brand differentiation
• Experience in leveraging data-driven insights, market trends, and consumer behavior to inform long-term brand strategies
• Demonstrated expertise in building and implementing integrated strategies across owned, earned, and paid media channels

The Kraft Heinz Company is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, with eight $1 billion+ brands and global sales of approximately $25 billion. We’re a globally trusted producer of high-quality, great-tasting, and nutritious foods for over 150 years. While Kraft Heinz is co-headquartered in Chicago and Pittsburgh, our brands are truly global, with products produced and marketed in over 40 countries. These beloved products include condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee, infant and nutrition products, and numerous other grocery products in a portfolio of more than 200 legacy and emerging brands.

We fuel deliciousness around mealtime with our iconic brands, including Kraft, Oscar Mayer, Heinz, Philadelphia, Lunchables, Velveeta, Maxwell House, Jell-O, Capri Sun, Ore-Ida, Kool-Aid, Primal Kitchen, and Classico, among others.

No matter the brand, we’re united under one vision: To sustainably grow by delighting more consumers globally. Bringing this vision to life are global teams of 39,000+ food lovers, creative problem solvers, and dynamic leaders worldwide. Together, we help provide meals to those in need through our global partnership with Rise Against Hunger. 

We also stand committed to responsible, innovative and sustainable practices that extend to every facet of our business, our consumers, and our communities. Every day, we’re redefining the food industry with innovative thinking and unprecedented results. If you share our passion – and are ready to create the future, build a legacy, and lead as a global citizen – there’s only one thing to do: join our table and let’s make life delicious!

New Hire Base Salary Range: $150,000 - $170,000

Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.

The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors.

Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.

You’ll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:

• Physical – Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
• Social – Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
• Emotional – Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
• Financial – 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)

Chicago/Aon Center

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer that prohibits discrimination or harassment of any type. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants who require an accommodation to participate in the job application or hiring process should contact NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com.