Senior brand strategy support for complex engagements
Through The Armature, I partner with select agencies to provide senior strategic support on engagements where positioning, narrative, and executive alignment need to be right before creative begins.
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I may join during the pitch phase, lead or support discovery and strategy, and work with senior clients and agency teams to define clear positioning and a strategic foundation that guides creative development.
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​I typically work as an extension of the agency team, under your banner and in support of your client relationship.
Where I help
I am most often brought into engagements that involve companies undergoing change — IPO, acquisition, new leadership, new strategy,
or transformation
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Brand positioning and platform development
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Corporate narrative and messaging architecture
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Employer brand strategy and EVP
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Brand architecture and portfolio strategy
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Executive interviews and leadership alignment​
Strategy that gives
creative a foundation
to build against.

How I work with agencies
My role varies by engagement, but typically includes:
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Supporting new business efforts and pitch strategy
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Leading or supporting discovery and strategy phases
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Conducting executive and stakeholder interviews
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Developing positioning, narrative, and messaging frameworks
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Collaborating closely with account, creative, and leadership teams
I am comfortable working directly with senior clients and leadership teams, and I understand the importance of supporting — and strengthening — the agency’s client relationship.
Experience across complex organizations
My work has included:
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Repositioning a company ahead of acquisition, helping leadership articulate a clear strategic story and market position
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Building a global employer brand platform to support international growth and recruitment
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Modernizing the brand and narrative of a 130-year-old industrial company
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Simplifying a complex technology story in the period leading up to an IPO
These engagements typically sit at the intersection of business strategy, brand strategy, and communications — where clear positioning and narrative are critical to success.
SELECT CLIENTS
​Allergan · AECOM · Booz Allen · Fisher Investments · Foot Locker · Ionblox · Lincoln Electric · Momenta Pharmaceuticals · Premier, Inc. · QUALCOMM · QuidelOrtho · Recor Medical · UCLA · Veracyte
Experience shown reflects Jill Stephens’ work across prior roles and independent consulting engagements.