Digital Strategist

About the Role

At Sainsbury's, one of the largest supermarket chains in the UK with a major retail website presence, marketing operates at a substantial scale and pace. We integrate brand planning, brand communications, creative efforts, digital marketing, CRM and loyalty management, Nectar 360, and customer insights. As shopping volumes increase, so do opportunities to connect with customers through multiple touchpoints. Leveraging rich data and insights, we deeply understand our customers and collaborate with leading brand partners and top marketing agencies. Join us to grow, learn, and experience diverse teams.

This position is a fixed-term contract for 6 months, based in London with a requirement of two days onsite per week.

Why Join Us

Joining the Zest in-house creative agency team at Sainsbury's provides a dynamic and collaborative environment. You will be instrumental in developing and implementing impactful communications strategies across multiple channels. Working closely with creative, media, and insights teams, you will drive campaigns that engage customers and align with business goals. The role encourages innovation, best practices, and continuous professional development, empowering you to enhance campaign impact and customer interactions. You will be part of a diverse team that values inclusivity, curiosity, and excellence in delivering outstanding customer experiences.

Responsibilities

As a Digital Strategist within the Zest agency, you will design and execute integrated communications and multi-channel plans ensuring campaigns effectively reach customers throughout their journey. You will collaborate with creative, media, social, and CRM specialists, utilizing data insights to shape strategy, optimize outcomes, and increase engagement. Staying updated on the latest industry trends and consumer behaviors, you will uncover innovative ways to boost campaign success and customer satisfaction. Building strong stakeholder relationships and promoting best practices in communications planning will be key to your role.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a strategic and creative professional experienced in communications planning and channel strategy, particularly within marketing or agency settings. You possess a proven history of running integrated, multi-channel campaigns on digital platforms, including seasonal activations. Your expertise includes leveraging both first- and second-party data and insights to guide strategy and improve performance. You understand how digital, social, and CRM channels interconnect across the customer lifecycle and can collaborate effectively with various teams including creative, media, social, CRM, and insights. Your proactive nature, adaptability, and commitment to continuous learning form the foundation for your success in a fast-paced, innovative marketing environment.

Essential Qualifications

• Significant experience in communications planning and channel strategy within marketing or agency environments.
• Demonstrable success managing integrated multi-channel digital campaigns including seasonal efforts.
• Experience utilizing data and insights (both first- and second-party) for strategic decisions and optimization.
• Knowledge of how digital, social media, and CRM channels interrelate along the customer journey.
• Capability to develop comprehensive communications strategies aligned with brand and business goals.
• Proven collaboration skills across cross-functional teams such as creative, media, social, CRM, and insights.

Inclusion and Benefits

As a truly inclusive employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and offer ample opportunities to explore new roles within the business. We prioritize professional growth and provide support throughout your journey with us. Employees are recognized for outstanding contributions and flexible working options are available where possible. Benefits include:

• Colleague discounts starting at 10% at Sainsbury's, Argos, TU, and Habitat, with regular increases to 15%.
• Pension scheme and life insurance coverage.
• Potential for a performance-related bonus up to 10% of the salary, contingent on company performance.
• Annual leave allowance with the option to purchase additional holiday.
• Financial support benefits such as season ticket loans, cycle to work scheme, health cash plans, and salary advances.
• Access to a wide variety of discounts at hundreds of other retailers.
• Employee assistance program for wellbeing support.
• Generous parental leave benefits including up to 26 weeks' pay for maternity or adoption leave and up to 4 weeks' pay for paternity leave.

Please note that length of service and other eligibility criteria apply for certain benefits.