Brand Strategist (Health Communications)

Description

Please note: This role is contingent upon a contract award. While it is not an immediate opening, we are actively conducting interviews and extending offers in anticipation of the award.

At ICF Next, we are fearless in finding new ways to solve problems, relentless in making sure it pays off for our clients and committed to making a positive change in the world. Join our community of mission-driven creatives, communicators, strategists, and technologists to challenge the status quo.

ICF is seeking a Brand Strategist to help lead strategic thinking for our government clients and their marketing and advertising campaigns.  The ideal candidate can meld both the science and art of finding insights to help our teams and clients better understand customer mindsets and brand opportunities to develop smarter campaigns.

You will collaborate with account and creative teams in not only advancing campaigns and overall positioning, but keeping our teams informed of the ever-changing dynamics impacting the industry and its customers.

The ideal candidate is a creative thinker with a strategic mindset and a passion for research, building narratives, positioning, and great campaigns. If you excel in working collaboratively to develop innovative brand strategies that improve customer engagement, we invite you to apply for this role.

Location: Hybrid in the Washington, DC area with commute as needed to client and ICF offices. Required travel to Atlanta, GA area for meetings and presentations when needed.

What you will be doing:

• Lead campaign strategy development for key clients and campaigns, working closely with account and creative leaders.
• Write and socialize creative briefs with clients, internal teams, and partners.
• Check for strategy and brand consistency in creative concepting and delivery.
• Collaborate with research teams and colleagues to unlock audience insights
• Identify true customer insights and help interpret them through creative ideation and channel planning.
• Develop and facilitate workshops as part of strategy development.
• Write and socialize message frameworks. Develop brand positioning frameworks and value propositions that differentiate our clients.
• Contribute strategies, write content, and deliver persuasive presentations for new business opportunities.
• Work with Senior Strategists and Leaders to advance strategic planning tools and processes in support of the Division and client delivery.

What we need you to have:

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a public trust clearance
• U.S. Citizenship required (required by federal government for the position)
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, market research, journalism, sociology or related fields. (applicants can substitute one year of related experience for one year of education)
• 8+ years of experience developing brand strategies and campaign strategies within an agency or a client marketing team.

What we would like you to have:

• Experience with HHS and/or CDC programs
• Experience with private and public marketing programs highly preferred.
• Deep skills in supporting the development of advertising campaigns and writing creative briefs.
• Experience using AI as a tool to make our research and deliverables smarter and more efficient.
• Primary and secondary research experience and demonstrated ability to use the data to turn insights into actionable strategy.
• Knowledge of consumer behavior psychology.
• Significant experience developing secondary research on consumer, company, category and competitors, writing PPT decks, and presenting them to clients.
• Knowledge of the healthcare, public health, disaster management, and energy industries a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to design and lead workshops as part of strategy development
• Corporate brand platform and strategy development expertise.

Professional Skills

• Experience working in cross-functional marketing teams.
• Strong writing and client-facing presentation skills. Previous roles should include client facing role as a subject matter expert.

Working at ICF

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our EEO policy.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please email Candidateaccommodation@icf.com and we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.

Read more about workplace discrimination rights or our benefit offerings which are included in the Transparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at candidateaccommodation@icf.com. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is:

$98,187.00 - $166,919.00

DC Remote Office (DC99)