Headhunters | Talent Scouts | Career Advisors

Strategy Book was founded by Sally Neilson, a highly experienced headhunter for best in class planning and strategy talent across creative agencies and consultancies.

With an exclusive focus on strategy talent from entry level to C-suite, Strategy Book is the go-to talent partner for exceptional strategists at any level, any specialism.

We work with a broad span of creative businesses, from the titans to indies and startups, across advertising, digital, social & content agencies, brand consultancies, research and innovation studios, as well as in-house teams.

Drawing on over 20 years of agency relationships, including 15 years working in high profile London creative agencies directly, we bring a nuanced understanding of the creative and strategy landscape and the people that thrive there. Our proven headhunting record attests to this.
We’re also proud to work in partnership with a number of organisations for under-represented talent to ensure a fair, open range of diverse candidates.

Active member of the APG and continued proud sponsor of the APG Creative Strategy Award for Best Written Paper.

THE DIFFERENCE — CLIENTS

Looking to hire?

Strategy Book will bring you the talent you didn’t know existed as well as access to the best and brightest stars in the industry.

With a depth and breadth of relationships with exceptional strategists at every level, we’ll introduce you to best in class talent, not just best in market.

Permanent placements

Freelance and contract

Entry level talent

Senior appointments

Exclusive and retained search

Contingency search

Every introduction is carefully screened and filtered to ensure a handpicked shortlist, all known to us personally.

Fifteen years of high profile account handling training is baked into the way we do things. This means comprehensive briefings, regular updates, and excellent communication. No conversation is too difficult, all feedback is handled with discretion and respect.

We also offer a tailored service for in house talent teams, with our unique shared ownership model. Bespoke to fit your processes, it allows us to work alongside internal teams, not in opposition.

What you can expect from me:

Introductions to the very best talent in the industry. Not just the talent you know, but the talent you don’t. A responsive, flexible, insightful answer to your brief. Personal service and thorough updates. Energy to keep up momentum, and patience when needed. Quality, not quantity. Which also means no unsolicited CVs. Ever.

What I expect from you:

Access to decision makers, fair and prompt feedback, open-mindedness, transparency.

Whether you’re actively looking for a specific new hire or want a more general chat about futureproofing your talent pool, get in touch for a chat here.

THE DIFFERENCE — CANDIDATES

Strategy Book is a business built on relationships. We work with the majority of candidates as long-term career partners, and look forward to getting to know you as a person.

From entry level to C-suite, the first step is an in-depth chat (in person or virtually) to discuss your career to date, ambitions for the future and any magic ingredients that would constitute a dream role.

What you can expect from me:

I’ll listen, ask questions, reflect and listen some more. I’ll be your champion, your agent. I’ll take the time to suggest roles or introductions that are the right fit for you, and while you may be challenged, you’ll never be pushed into something that’s not right. Every conversation is thoughtful, purposeful, no hard sell. With empathy, rapport. And I’ll keep you informed at every stage of the process.

What I expect from you:

Honesty, engagement and an openness to feedback. To be an upstanding member of the industry with a strong track record and access to referees if required. Or for those breaking into the industry – creative spark, ambition and energy.

Whether you’re actively looking for a new opportunity or want to get on the radar for the longer term, get in touch for a chat here.

What I expect from you:

Honesty, engagement and an openness to feedback. To be an upstanding member of the industry with a strong track record and access to referees if required. Or for those breaking into the industry – creative spark, ambition and energy.

Whether you’re actively looking for a new opportunity or want to get on the radar for the longer term, get in touch for a chat here.

“Sally was great to work with on finding my next role, after a couple of years in positions that weren’t right. She put a lot of time into understanding my experience and hopes going forward and quickly introduced me to a position that was perfect for both my existing skills and my ongoing development.

She has a brilliant understanding of both the strategy and planning discipline as well as the agency and client-side job market. I got all of the information and support I needed throughout what was overall, a refreshingly personable recruitment process.”

Tony, Senior Strategist

“Switching jobs is rarely easy, especially in the highly coveted and competitive field that is strategy & planning. Finding the career path that’s right for you, figuring out the necessary steps and making the right moves to help you get there can be daunting, to say the least. That’s when having someone like Sally in your corner can make all the difference. 

A highly attentive and dependable professional, her dedication, know-how and friendly attitude make her an absolute pleasure to work with. She’s quick to react, replies to questions and requests promptly, and is always ready to help.  Sally, you are amazing at what you do, and I can’t thank you enough for your full support, for navigating me through the recruitment process, and for helping me make the right choices for my career development.”

Antoanet, Junior Strategist

“Sally has been with me from the start of my career and no matter what stage I’m at she’s taken my brief and my happiness seriously. I appreciate her advice, often seek her opinion and value her judgement.”

Fran, Group Strategy Director

“Sally was exceptionally helpful; finding me my new role and throughout the application process. She read over my CV and told me to make necessary changes. In the next stage I was asked to answer a brief with my own strategic response. Again she read over my work for me and gave me advice about how best to present it.

With the uncertainty at the moment around the economic climate Sally was incredibly reassuring. In the current virtual world she added a human presence that was much needed. I couldn’t have done it without her.”

George, Data Strategist

“As an expat living in London, I was extremely unfamiliar with the market and what’s available to me when I lost my job. I met with many recruiters and none were quite like Sally.

From day one she has treated me like a human, not another number on her list. Sally truly cares about her clients and goes above and beyond to ensure that they are truly happy at the end of the day, not just hired.”

Rachel, Strategy Director

“Working with Sally is like rolling a six every time. She listens, she moves fast, she matchmakes and she’s refreshingly devoid of spin. If you need a gap filling, or any old job, go elsewhere. If you want a bespoke talent matching service, there’s nobody like Sally.”

Sarah, Senior Creative Strategist

“Sally is a class act. Having worked with her for many years, and sat on both sides of the table – as both candidate and agency partner, I’ve found her to be hugely knowledgeable, good natured, straightforward and totally ethical. She really is my number one, having worked with many different people over a 15 year strategy career.

She has a deep understanding of both ‘the business’ and what makes candidates ‘tick.’ People trust her. People like her, and she always gets the job done. Her briefing emails are legendary – detailed, helpful and incredibly perceptive.

As a character, she’s also great fun with a real twinkle in her eye and always strikes the right balance between seriousness/ having a laugh. She’s my go-to person and I really can’t recommend her highly enough.”

Janie, Strategy Director

“Sally is fantastic to work with and helped me secure a role during a very difficult landscape. She took the time to get to know me, kept me regularly updated (without me chasing!) and provided me with support through all stages of the process. She’s friendly, professional and I highly recommend her.”

John, Head of Data Strategy

Follow us on Instagram