Digital Strategy Director: missions, skills, training, salary and career development

In recent years, the digital world has revolutionised businesses, making digital transformation essential to remain competitive. Digital technologies and platforms have become essential levers for development and growth. Against this backdrop, new professions have emerged to support this transition. Among these strategic roles, the Digital Strategy Director has emerged as a key player. Responsible for defining and steering digital initiatives, this professional plays a crucial role in ensuring the growth and sustainability of organisations in a constantly changing environment.

Job description of the Digital Strategy Director

The Digital Strategy Director is a key player in the development and implementation of the company's digital strategy . He or she supervises digital projects, coordinates the marketing and communications teams, and works closely with service providers and other company departments. His role includes the digital transformation of the organisation, ensuring that digital tools and practices are aligned with the company's strategic objectives.

What is the role and remit of the Digital Strategy Director?

Defining digital strategy

The Digital Strategy Director draws up and implements the company's digital strategy . He or she defines the objectives, identifies the targets and plans the actions to be taken to increase online visibility and engagement . They also need to keep abreast of the latest trends and technologies in digital marketing to adapt and optimise existing strategies.

Managing digital projects

The Digital Strategy Director oversees the company's digital projects, coordinating the efforts of the marketing, communications and IT teams. He or she is responsible for implementing digital transformation projects, redesigning websites and optimising marketing campaigns.

Customer relations and social media management

The Digital Strategy Director manages webmarketing and digital communication initiatives on social media. They develop strategies to improve customer relations, increase customer loyalty and manage the company's e-reputation. They work closely with community managers and marketing managers to ensure consistent and effective communication.

Performance analysis and reporting

The Digital Strategy Director uses analytical tools to measure the performance of digital actions. They analyse KPIs (key performance indicators) and generate reports to assess the effectiveness of campaigns and adjust strategies accordingly. They must provide senior management with accurate analyses and recommendations based on the data.

Tools and technologies used by the Digital Strategy Director

Project management tools

Tools such as Trello, Asana and Jira are essential for organising, monitoring and managing digital projects. They allow you to plan tasks, define deadlines and collaborate effectively with internal and external teams.

Marketing automation tools

Solutions such as HubSpot, Marketo and Pardot are used to automate digital marketing campaigns, track user behaviour and personalise customer interactions.

Analytics and reporting platforms

Tools such as Google Analytics, Tableau, and Power BI are used to track the performance of digital campaigns, analyse data and generate detailed reports for decision-making.

Social media management tools

Platforms such as Hootsuite, Buffer, and Sprout Social are used to manage social media posts, track interactions and analyse user engagement.

Content management systems (CMS)

CMS such as WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla are used to manage and publish content on company websites. These systems make it easy to create, modify and manage digital content.

What skills do you need to be a good Digital Strategy Director?

Professional skills:

• Mastery of digital marketing techniques.
• Project management and digital campaign management skills.
• Knowledge of analytics and reporting tools.
• Expertise in Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and Search Engine Advertising (SEA).
• Skills in digital communication and social media management.

Personal skills:

• Communication skills to collaborate with internal and external teams.
• Creative spirit to develop innovative and attractive digital strategies.
• Rigour and attention to detail to ensure accurate data and reporting.
• Adaptability to react quickly to market trends and technological changes.
• Leadership and team management to motivate and direct staff.

What are the current challenges facing a Digital Strategy Director?

Rapidly evolving technologies and digital platforms

The digital marketing sector is constantly evolving with the emergence of new technologies and methodologies. Digital Strategy Directors need to keep abreast of the latest trends and innovations to adapt their strategies accordingly. This rapid evolution can present a challenge in terms of ongoing training and adapting to new practices.

Managing the quality and effectiveness of digital campaigns

Ensuring optimum quality while meeting often tight deadlines is a major challenge. Digital Strategy Directors have to strike a balance between the operational efficiency of digital campaigns and the quality of content to guarantee customer satisfaction.

Performance analysis and return on investment (ROI)

Measuring the effectiveness of digital campaigns and justifying the return on investment (ROI) of digital initiatives is an ongoing challenge. Digital Strategy Directors need to use advanced analysis tools to monitor performance, generate accurate reports and adjust strategies based on the results obtained.

How do I become a Digital Strategy Director?

Education and training

To become a Digital Strategy Director, you generally need a 5-year degree in marketing, communications or digital. The following courses are particularly popular:

• Master's degree in digital marketing.
• MBA in marketing.
• Business school diploma with a specialisation in marketing communications or digital marketing.

EM Normandie offers courses tailored to this profession, in particular the MSc Artificial Intelligence for Marketing Strategy. This course provides the necessary skills in operations management, process optimisation and data analysis, offering comprehensive preparation for becoming a successful Operations Director .

Professional experience

Significant experience in positions of responsibility in digital marketing or communications is essential. Internships in communications agencies or marketing assistant positions are key steps towards becoming a Digital Strategy Director.

Career development and prospects for a Digital Strategy Director

• Progression to the position of Marketing Director or Chief Digital Officer (CDO).
• Opportunities in large companies, start-ups or digital agencies.
• Possibility of becoming a digital strategy consultant or setting up your own consultancy.
• Transition to digital strategist or digital transformation consultant.

What does a Digital Strategy Director earn?

The salary of a Content Manager varies according to experience, the size of the company and the sector of activity:

• Beginner: Gross annual salary (approx.): €50,000 - €70,000
• 2-5 years' experience: Gross annual salary (approx.): €70,000 - €100,000
• 5+ years' experience: Gross annual salary (approx.): €100,000 and more (with possible bonuses)

What kind of work does a Digital Strategy Director do?

A variety of employers:

The Director of Digital Strategy may work in various types of organisation, including:

• Large companies and international groups.
• SMEs and start-ups.
• Communications and digitalagencies.
• Non-profit organisations and associations.

Main fields:

A Digital Strategy Director works in a number of sectors, including:

• E-commerce: Management of digital marketing strategies for online sales sites.
• Technology: Digital transformation and optimisation of digital strategies for high-tech companies.
• Financial services: Digital marketing and customer relationship management for financial institutions.
• Healthcare and pharmaceuticals: Supervision of digital projects and communication strategies for medical and pharmaceutical products.

These varied sectors offer many opportunities for Digital Strategy Directors, depending on their skills and professional interests, allowing them to specialise in areas such as digital project management, digital communications or the optimisation of marketing campaigns.

In summary

The job of Digital Strategy Director is essential for ensuring the visibility and performance of a company's digital strategies. As the central pillar of digital marketing activities, the Digital Strategy Director plays a crucial role in increasing customer awareness and engagement . Their ability to analyse data, optimise digital campaigns and manage communication strategies is vital to ensuring the success and growth of businesses in today's digital landscape. The job of Digital Strategy Director is a high-level position requiring diversified skills and a great ability to manage strategic responsibilities. It's a dynamic role that offers opportunities for growth and career development, while playing a central role in the success and stability of companies' digital strategies.