The Vision

Citizen Relations is at the forefront of AI transformation. We are moving beyond the traditional boundaries of PR and earned media into the broader, more impactful territory of Reputation. To lead this evolution, our Applied Strategy & Intelligence group has evolved beyond the traditional agency approach in favor of a high-functioning Pod Model. This team is a flat, skills-first structure where intelligence, technology, and strategy converge.

We are seeking an Applied Strategist (Level I). This entry-level role will support their team as a Consultant-Doer that helps clients bridge the gap between high-level business ambitions, and brand, channel and measurement strategy. This role is designed for those who are eager to learn, think critically, and are curious about the lifecycle of MarComm efforts driving real-world business impact.

Transparency matters to us. For this role, you can expect a salary between $47,000-55,000 annually, depending on experience. This is for a new vacancy.

The Team

This role sits within our Applied Strategy & Intelligence (Ap-SI) team. We are a forward leaning team, modernizing our ways of working through our unique approach:

- Dedicated teams
- Value-based, outcomes focused
- Integrated workflows
- Coordinate across all shades of strategy
- Strategic counsel and decisioning from planning through to optimizations
- Applied solutions across the full customer lifecycle from discovery to loyalty
- Connects brand, reputation and creative strategy to performance and business.

The Role: Strategic Implementation & Counsel As a Level I Applied Strategist, you will work in support of a strategic lead overseeing a portfolio. You will provide support, and lead in critical areas of projects while partnering cross-functionally with our PR, Creative, and Experiential departments.

Key Accountabilities

- Strategic Support: Develop an understanding of key shades of strategy, and how the work creates impact for brands by supporting Sr.

Applied

Strategist

- Research, Insights &

• Planning: Through access to our tech stack, and available online resources, identify and determine opportunities for brand MarComms across the category, competitors, and audience segments.

- Applied Execution: Moving from the insights into action, help deploy or orchestrate key tasks in the go-to-market phase.
- Measurement &

• Outcomes: Determine the results and identify optimizations for continued campaign engagement, or define impact of the program.

- Continuous Learning: This entry-level role requires an ability to learn, evolve and adapt to the market and constant changes shaping the industry

AI Enablement &

• The Modern Workflow

Our team is tech-agnostic, but tech-enabled. You will support the work through a robust tech-stack to find insights others miss:

- Human in the loop: Leveraging Google AI (Gemini, AI Studio), and proprietary AI agents to optimize Human-in-the-Loop workflows.




- Governance: Strong POVs and practice when it comes to managing client data and brand safety in an AI ecosystem.
- Data Fluency: Orchestrating tools like SEMRush, Talkwalker, and various Analytics platforms (Google/Adobe/Social/CRM) to track and optimize reputation in real-time.
- Systems Thinking: Working as a multi-specialist expert in service of connecting dots between strategic disciplines (business, brand, channel, and measurement)

Skills &

• Attributes

Ideal candidates will possess some, if not all, of these critical skills:

- Strategic Agility: Connecting dots across the entire marketing motion, from commercial goals to channel execution.
- Data Fluency: The ability to read, decide, and consistently optimize based on performance signals.
- Creative Partnership: Fusing proactive ideation with creative expertise to turn insights into Earned moments.
- Tool Adaptability: Ability to onboard and learn legacy platforms and emerging tech-agnostic tools.
- Consultative Communication: The high-level ability to articulate the "Why" and the "How" to leaders internally, and on the client side.
- Bias for Action: A proactive, thoughtful willingness to bring ideas forward and execute without friction.

Experience &

Qualifications

- 0-2+ years of experience in agency strategy, management consulting, or digital transformation roles.
- Degree in Marketing, Communications, or related field
- Working experience within AI landscape and a willingness to act when it comes to adopting current tools.
- Experience working in flat or matrixed organizations where teams are cast based on skills over roles.

Why This Role? This isn't a traditional strategy job. This is an opportunity to define the future of agency work. You will have the ability to lead a portfolio of work, define new and improved ways to use technology to scale, and build consultative authority to transform how global brands manage their most valuable asset: their reputation. What’s in it for you:

We Value The ‘whole You’

- An innovative and entrepreneurial work environment that promotes ingenuity and individuality - with the best of colleagues, and the best of clients
- Hybrid work models and flexible hours
- Generous Vacation starting at 3 weeks + 1 extra week over the holidays
- Agency summer days (exact policy differs per campus and agency)
- Modern, open co-working spaces with coffee & snack bars, located in a great city neighborhood, close to shops and restaurants and easy access to public transport
- Dogs allowed,



dedicated Play Room to support families and Private wellness room (in select offices)
- Team social events - holiday parties, seasonal gatherings, weekly happy hours, inspiring speakers and more!

We are obsessed with learning and being better humans

- In-house learning & development sessions and annual career and growth conversations’
- Access to internal network of opportunities across all agencies
- Internal EDI group(s), programs & initiatives across Plus Company and opportunities to be involved in employee resource group(s)

Check out our EDI report here to learn more about our work and commitment towards equity. We invest in your health and wellness:
- Flexible benefits to support your individual lifestyle and life stage – with access to a personal wellness spending account you can use for a wide range of wellness expenses, including gym membership fees, pet care, education expenses, and much more!
- Comprehensive mental health support including access to a virtual mental health therapy clinic providing you with personalized therapist guided iCBT programs and live therapy, access to health clinicians 24/7, and a holistic array of other health and wellness resources to support you and your family.
- Dedicated play rooms for days you need to bring the kids and health and wellness rooms when you need a place to get grounded.
- A responsible sick & personal absence days policy designed so you don't have to worry the moment a personal obligation or emergency arises.
- Maternity leave top up program.

Expiry Date Notice: This expires on September 20th 2026 We’re humbled by the number of talented people who apply to work with us every day. And, we thank each and every one of you. Truly. We’ll reach out directly to those we’d like to meet for an interview.

Creating meaningful work means embracing different perspectives. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on age, colour, ability, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. Not only are these provisions protected by provincial and federal law, embracing difference is what makes Citizen Relations what it is—and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

We pride ourselves on our inclusive and accessible workplace. If you need any accommodations during the interview process to make it work for you, let us know.

By joining Citizen Relations you become part of Plus Company, a unique partnership of forward-thinking creative agencies. As a network, we unabashedly believe anything is possible. Why? Because possibility is what powers the big dreams and limitless drive of an entrepreneur. And entrepreneurial agencies are what we’re made of. A whole network of them.

Employee & Job Applicants Privacy Notice https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQIU40pchmRo2-xnl_UuSHgDa8xkw4fbkr6IZX20PCEdn2E9e3_eBD2chvxT0OWDHlPQicIkWP1kZ58/pub

📌 Applied Strategist (Level I) (Toronto)
🏢 Citizen Relations
📍 Toronto