Director, Brand Strategy Job Listing at Safeway in Pleasanton, CA

Food & Beverage, Retail

Safeway Inc., a Fortune 100 Company, is one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America with 1,600+ stores. The Safeway family of brands includes some of the most prominent brands in food retailing, with a growing base of loyal shoppers. Thanks to the professionalism, diversity, spirit and friendliness of our people, we have locations across the U.S. and Canada.

Diversity is fundamental at Safeway. We foster an inclusive working environment where the different strengths and perspectives of each employee is both recognized and valued. We believe that building successful relationships with our customers and our communities is only possible through the diversity of our people. And a diverse workforce leads to better teamwork and creative thinking, as well as mutual understanding and respect.

Safeway’s Corporate Marketing Department has an immediate opening for an experienced Director, Brand Strategy. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned Brand Strategist to work closely with the integrated marketing teams to develop brand strategy platforms that drive consumer communications and marketing strategies. This position will be located in Pleasanton, CA.

Position Purpose:
The Director, Brand Strategy (within the Advertising/Marketing department) is responsible for creating high impact brand positioning and communication strategies and evolving brand strategies standards and processes. The Director will provide thought leadership and be the analytical and strategic resource for brand positioning initiatives company-wide.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
•Dimensionalizes Safeway’s Ingredients for life. brand positioning into well-defined brand strategies/communication strategies for Consumer Communication and Integrated Marketing teams, and its client groups.
•Partners closely with Consumer Insights to ensure brand strategy/positioning recommendations are in alignment with insights; Collaborates with Acct. Management, Consumer PR, Digital Marketing, and Creative to ensure that the strategy platform sets the tone for creative output, and is maintained throughout the development process.
•Functions as the dept. brand steward and aligns with marketing and brand priorities.
•Immerses in brand strategy initiatives; interprets briefings by creating/executing brand and communication positioning strategies: brand positioning/communication architectures, positioning attributes/statements, name development, and taglines/vision/mission statements.
•Partners with department project leads to ensure communications/creative output maps back to approved positioning/communications strategy.
•Trains and immerses internal groups on brand and positioning communication strategy principles.
•Maintains/evolves the Brand Expression Guide, ensuring content is updated based on changes to marketing strategic platforms, market and economic shifts, shopper profile and trends, and brand positioning evolution. Serves as the brand ambassador to immerse internal and external teams (outside agency resources and marketing partners) on our brand positioning.
•Enforces and is the steward of corporate banner identities through all company communications/signage; maintains and evolves brand standards (print and online). Manages internal/external logo requests and partners with legal to ensure brand identity compliance.
•Ensures our brand standards align to our Consumer Brands identities and dept. initiatives' identities.
•Leads and monitors external agencies (if needed); develops briefs, RFP’s, provides strategic and tactical project oversight, negotiates contracts, monitors budgets.
•Responsible for the performance, feedback and development of team.
•Oversees the annual Brand Strategy budget/forecast process.

Qualifications:
•8 or more years experience in the Marketing, Strategic Planning, Communications and/or Brand Strategy development and deployment, as well as collaborating, directing and/or managing a team and work groups.
•Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business administration required or equivalent work experience.
•Advertising agency and/or strategic branding/design firm experience with strong strategic and analytical acumen.
•Prior experience in the food and consumer products industries and/or retail sector.
•Proven practical experience in brand consulting/strategy development and strategic planning across all disciplines of brand development, positioning, name development and communication strategy development - solid understanding of the role that visual expression, messaging and consumer experience have on brand image and its business impact.
•Exceptional synthesis and analytical skills with consumer research and insights.
•Expertise in crafting brand strategy and communication elements (positioning statements, brand architectures, taglines, etc.); ability to ensure strategic solutions/recommendations drive the creative/message output.
•Ability to implement seamlessly, motivate other team members, and confidently interact with executives and other senior levels of the organization in order to influence, persuade, gain support, input and approvals.
•Superior project management skills and strengths in managing multiple projects/deadlines; ability to set priorities and be flexible in changing environments; goal orientation with a strong bias toward action and tangible results.
•Experience managing teams and working cross-functionally, managing external marketing partners (e.g., agency and/or brand consultancies), and internal stakeholders/clients. Maintains a respectful and professional attitude towards all co-workers.
•Experience with streamlining processes to ensure innovative ideation, productivity, and effectiveness across functional teams.
•Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business administration required or equivalent work experience.
•Advance degree a plus.
•Strong interpersonal and customer/client service skills; diplomatic, collaborative, and responsive.
•Superior communication and presentation skills; confident and articulate.
•PC knowledge including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Respond to: Interested candidates are encouraged to submit a resume by visiting www.careersatsafeway.com.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER