Pepper (https://www.pepper.inc/) is the AI-native organic growth engine trusted by 250+ enterprises. Our platform finds what's holding brands back across SEO, GEO and content, our AI agents do the work at scale, and our growth team turns it into results. If you want to work where AI, creativity and strategy meet, join us.

As an Associate Creative Director – Strategy (ACD – Strategy), you will play a key role in shaping how brands think, communicate, and grow. Sitting at the intersection of business, culture, consumer insight, and creativity, you will be responsible for turning complex business challenges into clear strategic directions and compelling creative opportunities.

You will work closely with clients, creative teams, and internal stakeholders to develop sharp brand thinking, strengthen existing narratives, and identify new opportunities for brands to stay relevant. You will also guide junior strategists, contribute to pitches and new business opportunities, and help raise the overall strategic quality of the work.

The role requires strong strategic thinking, a clear point of view, curiosity about culture and consumers, and the ability to turn ambiguity into actionable direction.

Roles & Responsibilities

- Lead strategy for a portfolio of brands and businesses, from brief to final output
- Translate broad or ambiguous client asks into clear and actionable problem statements
- Develop brand, communication, campaign, and content strategies based on consumer, cultural, and business insights
- Build sharp, insightful, and persuasive strategic narratives that influence client decisions and creative thinking




- Work closely with creative teams to translate strategy into strong concepts and impactful work
- Partner with account/business teams to understand client objectives and identify opportunities for growth
- Manage and evolve existing brand strategies while ensuring consistency and relevance across communication
- Present strategic thinking and recommendations confidently to clients and internal stakeholders
- Mentor and guide junior strategists and planners, helping strengthen the quality of strategic output
- Contribute to pitches, recent business opportunities, and proactive brand-growth conversations
- Stay closely connected to consumer behaviour, culture, category trends, and emerging platforms to bring fresh perspectives into the work

Requirements

- 5–8 years of experience in strategy, planning, brand, advertising, or a related role
- Strong strategic and conceptual thinking with the ability to develop a clear point of view
- Ability to simplify complex business and communication challenges into focused strategic directions
- Strong understanding of brands, consumers, culture, and communication
- Ability to work comfortably in ambiguous, fast-paced environments
- Solid storytelling and presentation skills, with confidence in presenting to senior stakeholders
- Ability to collaborate effectively with creative, account, business, and leadership teams
- Experience mentoring or guiding junior strategists/planners
- Ownership mindset with the ability to independently drive projects from problem definition to strategic recommendation
- Strong stakeholder management and client-facing skills

Please note: This is an on-site role based in Marol, Mumbai.

📌 ACD – Strategy (Mumbai)
🏢 Pepper
📍 Mumbai