Brand Strategist

About the role:
We're looking for a Brand Strategist to help define, evolve, and activate the strategic foundation of our brand. This is a hands-on role that blends strategic thinking with practical execution - you'll not only craft positioning and messaging frameworks but also ensure they're embedded into campaigns, creative, and go-to-market activities across the organization.
In this role, you'll translate audience insights, market dynamics, and competitive analysis into actionable strategies that differentiate our brand - and then partner across marketing, product, and creative teams to bring those strategies to life in the market.
This position is based in our Chicago office. We follow a hybrid policy of at least 4 days onsite.
Morningstar's hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to collaborate in-person each week as we've found that we're at our best when we're purposely together on a regular basis. In most of our locations, our hybrid work model is four days in-office each week. A range of other benefits are also available to enhance flexibility as needs change. No matter where you are, you'll have tools and resources to engage meaningfully with your global colleagues.
Key Responsibilities -
Brand Positioning & Messaging

• Develop and refine brand positioning, value propositions, and messaging frameworks that resonate with key audiences.
• Translate strategic concepts into practical messaging toolkits and enablement resources used across campaigns, sales, and marketing materials.
• Ensure consistency and alignment of brand voice and story across all touchpoints.

Activation & Implementation

• Partner closely with integrated campaign and creative/design teams to activate brand strategy through multi-channel campaigns and brand initiatives.
• Review campaign briefs, content, and creative assets to ensure they ladder up to brand strategy.
• Collaborate with product marketing to adapt messaging for specific products, audiences, and go-to-market programs.

Research & Insights

• Partner with audience strategy and insights teams to conduct and synthesize competitive, audience, and market research to inform brand positioning decisions.
• Identify opportunities for differentiation and new messaging angles based on trends, customer needs, and market dynamics.

Brand Architecture & Governance

• Support the development and evolution of brand architecture, ensuring clarity and cohesion across products, sub-brands, and solutions.
• Provide strategic guidance on product naming to ensure consistency and clarity across the portfolio.
• Contribute to brand guidelines and governance to maintain a unified global brand presence.

Measurement & Optimization

• Help define and track key brand health metrics and campaign effectiveness.
• Gather feedback from internal teams and external audiences to continuously refine messaging and positioning.

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of experience in brand strategy, integrated marketing, product marketing, or related roles.
• Proven ability to craft positioning, messaging, and value propositions - and translate them into actionable marketing assets.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills; experience partnering with creative, campaigns, and product marketing teams.
• Excellent research, storytelling, and communication skills, with a knack for simplifying complex ideas and being mindful of compliance.
• Experience with brand architecture, naming frameworks, and product portfolio strategy preferred.
• Experience working in a matrixed, global organization preferred.
• Background in financial services or other B2B regulated entity a plus.

Why Join Us?
This role offers the opportunity to shape how our brand is understood and experienced - not just in theory, but in practice. As a Brand Strategist, you'll bridge the gap between strategy and execution, helping define the story we tell and ensuring that story is powerfully expressed across campaigns, content, product naming, and client experiences.
Compensation and Benefits
At Morningstar we believe people are at their best when they are at their healthiest. That's why we champion your wellness through a wide range of programs that support all stages of your personal and professional life. Here are some examples of the offerings we provide:

• Financial Health
  
  • 100% 401k match up to 6% of salary
  • Stock Ownership Potential
  • Company provided life insurance - 1x salary + commission
• Physical Health
  
  • Comprehensive health benefits (medical/dental/vision) including potential premium discounts and company-provided HSA contributions (up to $500-$2,000 annually) for specific plans and coverages
  • Additional medical Wellness Incentives - up to $300-$600 annual
  • Company-provided long- and short-term disability insurance
• Emotional Health
  
  • Trust-Based Time Off
  • 6-week Paid Sabbatical Program
  • 6-Week Paid Family Caregiving Leave
  • Competitive 8-24 Week Paid Parental Leave
  • Adoption Assistance
  • Leadership Coaching & Formal Mentorship Opportunities
  • Annual Flex Stipend - $1000 annually to cover personal education & well-being expenses
  • Tuition Reimbursement
• Social Health
  
  • Charitable Matching Gifts program
  • Dollars for Doers volunteer program
  • Paid volunteering days
  • 15+ Employee Resource & Affinity Groups

Total Cash Compensation Range
$121,400.00 - 218,525.00 USD Annual
Inclusive of annual base salary and target incentive
Morningstar's hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to collaborate in-person each week as we've found that we're at our best when we're purposely together on a regular basis. In most of our locations, our hybrid work model is four days in-office each week. A range of other benefits are also available to enhance flexibility as needs change. No matter where you are, you'll have tools and resources to engage meaningfully with your global colleagues.
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