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Associate Strategist Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Naturally, the Associate Strategist is a key member of this team, as they are working alongside the Senior Strategist in executing the research methodology and developing the strategic solutions. As ...

As an Associate Strategy Director, you'll set and implement social media and other creative and content strategies to align with communication campaigns across multiple channels. The ideal candidate ...

Associate Creative Strategist ???? Los Angeles, California, United States ???? DATA-DRIVEN CREATIVE, REPORTING FOR DUTY ???? Seeking a Sharp Creative-Analytical Hybrid to Craft Performance Ads that ...

Associate Creative Strategist Los Angeles, California, United States DATA-DRIVEN CREATIVE, REPORTING FOR DUTY Seeking a Sharp Creative-Analytical Hybrid to Craft Performance Ads that Drive Client ...

Associate Creative Strategist Los Angeles, California, United States DATA-DRIVEN CREATIVE, REPORTING FOR DUTY Seeking a Sharp Creative-Analytical Hybrid to Craft Performance Ads that Drive Client ...

Associate Creative Strategist Los Angeles, California, United States DATA-DRIVEN CREATIVE, REPORTING FOR DUTY Seeking a Sharp Creative-Analytical Hybrid to Craft Performance Ads that Drive Client ...

As an Associate Strategy Director, you'll set and implement social media and other creative and content strategies to align with communication campaigns across multiple channels. The ideal candidate ...

Mattel is currently seeking a Senior Associate to join the Strategy and Corporate Development team at our El Segundo, CA headquarters. Each member of this high-performing team plays a key role in ...

Impact in this role As an Associate Strategic Program Manager (SPM) at MISUMI Americas, you'll work alongside engineers at some of the world's most innovative companies - helping get complex products ...

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Associate Strategist information

See California salary details

$44.4K

$138K

$175.2K

How much do associate strategist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate strategist in California is $138,035.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $119,900.00 and $154,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate strategist?

An Associate Strategist is an entry- to mid-level professional who supports the development and execution of strategic plans within organizations, often in marketing, advertising, or business consulting. They conduct research, analyze data, identify trends, and help craft actionable recommendations to achieve business goals. Associate Strategists typically collaborate with senior strategists and cross-functional teams to develop insights and present solutions to clients or stakeholders. This role is ideal for those interested in a blend of creativity, analytics, and problem-solving.

What does an associate strategist do?

As an Associate Strategist, you play a crucial supporting role in the creation and implementation of client campaigns. You’ll often analyze market data, help with audience research, and assist senior strategists in crafting compelling strategies that align with client goals. Collaboration is key; you’ll work closely with creative, account, and media teams to ensure ideas are both innovative and feasible. This role is a great stepping stone to more senior strategy positions, as it provides hands-on experience across multiple facets of campaign development.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be an associate strategist?

To thrive as an Associate Strategist, you need strong analytical skills, research abilities, and a background in marketing, communications, or a related field. Familiarity with data analysis tools such as Excel, Google Analytics, and presentation software like PowerPoint is typically required. Excellent communication, creativity, and collaboration skills help individuals stand out when generating insights and working with diverse teams. These combined skills are vital for developing effective strategies that address client needs and drive business results.

What is the difference between Associate Strategist vs Business Analyst?

AspectAssociate StrategistBusiness Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, marketing or business backgroundBachelor's degree, business or IT background
Work EnvironmentConsulting firms, marketing agencies, corporate strategy teamsCorporate, consulting, or IT departments
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in marketing, consulting, and corporate strategy rolesCommon in finance, IT, and business operations
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for entry-level strategic rolesCompared for analytical and process improvement roles

The Associate Strategist and Business Analyst roles share similarities in required education and work environments, often overlapping in consulting and corporate settings. While Associate Strategists focus on developing strategic plans and market analysis, Business Analysts tend to concentrate on data analysis, process improvements, and operational efficiency. Both roles are essential in supporting business growth, but they differ in their core functions and industry focus.

Is an associate strategist an entry level job?

An associate strategist position is typically considered an entry-level role that requires basic analytical skills, familiarity with strategic tools, and often a bachelor's degree. It is suitable for candidates with limited professional experience who are developing their skills in strategy and planning.

What are the most commonly searched types of Strategist jobs in California?

The most popular types of Strategist jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Associate Strategist jobs?

Cities in California with the most Associate Strategist job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Strategist job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $138,035 per year, or $66.4 per hour.

Collider Junior Strategist/Strategist

Yum

Santa Ana, CA • On-site

$69K - $75K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago


Job description


Who is Yum! Brands?
Ready to make your mark at an iconic global powerhouse? Join Yum! Brands - the parent company behind KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill - be a part of our reinvention for Greater Growth.
We are a culture-driven company where innovation, collaboration, and passion fuel everything we do. We're seeking talented individuals to make a difference across our global business. Whether you're just starting out or stepping into leadership, you'll help shape our future by delivering results that matter and bringing your smart, heart, and courage to the table.
If you're ready to grow with a company that values curiosity, high performance, and meaningful work-join us. Let's build the future of Yum! together!
About the Job:
Collider Lab is a tight-knit group of brand strategists, data strategists and marketers that work entirely on the creation of high profile, business-changing strategies in dozens of countries around the world. We leverage the power of culture to position brands, and modern marketing science to make them grow faster. We are entirely owned by Yum! Brands-the largest restaurant company in the world, owners of Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, KFC, and The Habit, so we are clearly on the brand side. At the same time, however, we are free to work on a few exciting projects and brands in other categories if they pique our interest. So, we are also a little like an agency too (except an agency made up entirely of strategists with the complete freedom to choose what projects they work on around the globe, based exclusively on how interesting they sound). We also focus purposefully and intently on growing everyone's strategic and team management skills. In the end, our goal is to make the brands we work on better businesses and better citizens of the world...and every strategist that works on them smarter, more connected to humanity, and more fulfilled. If it sounds a little like a strategist's dream come true, it's because it kind of is.
Collider Lab operates in high performance, highly focused teams. Each team is led by a Senior Strategist and is supported by at least one Strategist and one Director of Strategy. That team will dive head-first into each project and work exclusively on it for anywhere from 3 weeks or up to 3 months. They will become subject matter experts and push each other to come up with the most disruptive solution possible. Naturally, the Associate Strategist is a key member of this team, as they are working alongside the Senior Strategist in executing the research methodology and developing the strategic solutions. As a member of a team, however, they are not responsible with coming up with all the answers themselves. Collider Lab is about the "collision" of different perspectives and ideas, and we take this seriously. Every project is nourished with the ideas of the Collider braintrust and no one is ever left on their own.
Salary Range:
$69,900- $75,700 + bonus eligibility. This is the expected salary range for this position. Ultimately, in determining pay, we'll consider the successful candidate's location, experience, and other job-related factors.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities:
Every project will be different, but tactically, the Strategist will be assisting with the development and execution of qualitative and quantitative research, working with top experts in the world of academia or business, and crafting compelling stories for our clients. You'll be expected to mine culture and be dialed in to marketing science, build
convincing deck slides and generate fresh ideas. We are firm believers in the latest research and literature in the world of marketing and are constantly looking for and testing new approaches and ideas.
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
What we look for in a Strategist An insatiable curiosity, a kindness of heart, and a love of their craft are all non-negotiable at Collider. We look for people who are driven, focused, and curious about human behavior. After that, every person at Collider seems to have their own special ability: some are incredibly dialed into culture, others are data geniuses or avid readers or just crafty with their minds. Some examples of skills that have caught our eye for the Strategist position:
  • Degrees in Advertising, Marketing, Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology or pretty much anything interesting
  • 2-5 years of experience at a Strategic / Trend Consultancy, Advertising Agency, or Innovation company
  • Case studies that show uncommon thinking
  • Able to provide a portfolio covering past work experience
  • Slick writing and storytelling skills
  • Being a fan, but not a total devotee of Byron Sharp, Jenni Romaniuk, Douglas Holt, Daniel Kahneman, Winnie the Pooh or anyone else with deep thoughts Additional Details about the position
  • Competitive salary and benefits
  • Must live in the U.S.
  • Preference for candidates in Orange County / Los Angeles area

Benefits:
Employees (and their eligible family members) may enroll in the following types of insurance coverage: medical, dental, vision, legal, and accidental death and dismemberment, as well as FSA/HSA (depending on enrolled medical plan). Yum! also provides short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance. Employees may enroll in our 401(k) plan. Yum! provides 4 weeks of vacation, paid sick leave, 10 paid holidays, a floating day off and 2 paid days for volunteer time each calendar year. To learn more about working at Yum! -Click here.
At Yum!, one of our core values is to Believe in ALL People. This means seeing the value in everyone and unlocking their full potential to be their best self. YUM! Brands, Inc. (including its subsidiaries Yum Restaurant Services Group, LLC ("YRSG") and Yum Connect, LLC ("Yum Digital and Technology") (collectively, "Yum") is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equity, inclusion, and belonging for all dimensions of diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, or any other protected characteristic. Yum! is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities or special needs.
US Job Seekers/Employees - Click here to view the "Know Your Rights" poster and supplement and the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.
This posting will be open for a minimum of two weeks. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until a candidate is selected.
Beware of fake job postings using Yum! and/or our brand logos -- KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Habit Burger & Grill -- on fraudulent sites. Yum! Brands only posts jobs on official career pages and never asks for money during onboarding. Avoid unsolicited contacts via Telegram, WhatsApp or similar social apps.