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 or New York 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

• 75% 401k match up to 7%
• 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 Bonding Leave
• Adoption Assistance
• Leadership Coaching & Formal Mentorship Opportunities
• Annual Education Stipend
• 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

$117,850.00 - 212,150.00 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.

001_MstarInc Morningstar Inc. Legal Entity

How to Apply for a Job

Step 1

When you find a position you're interested in, click the 'Apply' button. Please fill out this form completely, attaching your resume and cover letter in the approved format. Read the job requirements carefully and make sure to attach writing or design samples as required. Applicants must submit their resume and other information through our corporate website to be considered for a job. No phone calls, please.

Step 2

You will receive an email notification to confirm that we've received your application.

Step 3

If you are called in for an interview, a representative will contact you to set up a date, time, and location. Be prepared for a rigorous interview process. To make sure you're a good fit and we're a good fit for you, we'll schedule time for you to meet with multiple staff members at all levels of the company. Expect to return for multiple interviews as part of the process. A representative will contact you with the results of your interview—either with a job offer or to let you know our plans for the position.

Applicants With Disabilities Who Need Accommodation

Morningstar is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please call +1 312 384-3900 or email AskHR@morningstar.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

Please note:

• We only accept calls from applicants who need accommodation related to a disability. Please, no calls with unrelated questions or requests.
• Please be sure to include the title and location of the open position you’re interested in when you leave a message.

US Applicants: Morningstar is an E-Verify program participant.

Learn more:

• This Organization Participates in E-Verify (English)
• This Organization Participates in E-Verify (Spanish)
• Right to Work (English)
• Right to Work (Spanish)
• EEO is the Law
• Pay Transparency Notice

Morningstar is strongly committed to creating and preserving equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. We make all employment decisions—including recruitment, hiring, compensation, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, termination, and other personnel matters—without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, citizenship, gender identity and expression, parental status, or other legally protected characteristics or conduct.