Managing Director, Strategy

The Managing Director of Strategy at 829 Studios runs the Strategy department day-to-day: a team of Group Strategy Directors, Strategy Directors, and Strategists supporting clients across the agency's portfolio.This role owns how the department performs: the quality of strategic work shipped to clients, the health of the accounts it supports, and the growth of the people producing it.

Reporting to the VP of Strategy, the Managing Director translates the department vision and priorities into the operating plans, management systems, and accountability required for consistent execution.The role remains close to client work through portfolio reviews, quality inspection, executive sponsorship, and recovery leadership, stepping into direct account leadership selectively when business need or development value warrants it. This role is designed for an operational leader who develops strong managers, drives adoption, and maintains a clear view of the work without becoming embedded in day-to-day account execution.

What You'll Do

Department Operations & Leadership

• Run the day-to-day operations of the Strategy department, translating department priorities into clear operating plans and owning performance across utilization, capacity, staffing ratios, strategic quality, and execution. Use these signals to identify gaps, recommend action, and elevate material decisions to the VP of Strategy.
• Manage strategist allocation and workload balancing across the department, and drive staffing and headcount planning based on client demand.
• Manage escalation pathways for strategic disagreements and client concerns across the department, resolving issues before they require executive intervention.
• Contribute to org design, measurement standards, and department planning as a member of the department's leadership team.
• Partner cross-functionally with Account Management leadership to strengthen client retention strategies, establish best-in-clas