Director, Corporate Strategy at Circana in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

Let's be unstoppable together!



Circana is the leading advisor on the complexity of consumer behavior. Through unparalleled technology, advanced analytics, cross-industry data, and deep expertise, we provide clarity that helps almost 7,000 of the world's leading brands and retailers take action and unlock business growth. We understand more about the complete consumer, the complete store, and the complete wallet so our clients can go beyond the data to apply insights, ignite innovation, meet consumer demand, and outpace the competition.


At Circana, we are fueled by our passion for continuous learning and growth, we seek and share feedback freely, and we celebrate victories both big and small in an environment that is flexible and accommodating to our work and personal lives. We have a global commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as we believe in the undeniable strength that diversity brings to our business, employees, clients, and communities (with us you can always bring your full self to work). Join our inclusive, committed team to be a challenger, own outcomes, and stay curious together.


Learn more at www.circana.com.



What will you be doing?



We are seeking a strong strategic thinker who is able to help define and accelerate Circana's growth trajectory. You will play a critical role in the Corporate Strategy group by driving the end-to-end aspects of creating and operationalizing the strategies required to drive growth from both our existing business and new and emerging business models. Reporting to the SVP, Corporate Strategy, you will be a key member of Circana's strategy leadership team and lead global cross-functional teams on critical growth initiatives.


As a leader within Circana, you will work closely with key stakeholders to craft corporate, business unit and product strategy recommendations that can be implemented across the organization. The successful candidate will interact with the CEO, commercial, product and technology leaders, M&A/corporate development, and other executive team members to ensure alignment with the overall corporate strategy.


This is a critical leadership position within Circana. The ideal candidate will operate at a high level of intellectual curiosity, exhibit superior analytical skills, demonstrate a strong work ethic, and bring a proven ability to work with and lead teams. They will have the maturity, confidence, intellectual strengths, and real-world experience to lead and inspire a team of smart and driven professionals. This candidate must have a passion for understanding, driving value, and delivering growth for Circana's business and the customers we serve.



Job Responsibilities

• Strategy Design: Lead and participate in the design and iteration of corporate strategy; drive the strategic planning process, acting as a trusted advisor to Circana's Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and relevant stakeholders during strategy formulation, development, and execution.


• Strategic Alignment: Collaborate with stakeholders across the business to ensure Circana's business unit, functional, and regional strategies are aligned to advance the goals of the overall business.


• Long Term Value Creation: Spearheading portfolio strategy & optimization efforts to create competitive advantage and maximize value creation.


• Strategic Projects: Direct and coordinate critical company transformation initiatives, including prioritization of projects, development of business cases, supporting implementation plans, and coordinating with relevant business leaders.


• Corporate Development: Play a key role in corporate acquisitions, joint ventures, and divestiture efforts, providing support throughout the deal lifecycle including identification, assessment, diligence, planning, and execution.


• Business Case Development: Lead multiple projects that require overall problem structuring, strategy formulation and quantitative / qualitative analysis (e.g. white space opportunity sizing, geographic expansion, portfolio analysis, competitive landscape).


• Board-Level Content Preparation: Responsible for working closely with senior management, coordinating, and developing Board presentations in support of key strategic outputs.

Requirements

• 5+ years of relevant strategy experience; with at least 2+ years of experience with a top-tier strategy consulting firm.


• MBA strongly preferred, Bachelor's degree required (preferably in the areas of Business or Operations concentration, i.e., Finance, Engineering, Economics, etc.).


• Industry experience in the consumer products, consumer services, retail sectors, software, analytics or business intelligence sectors is desired.


• Mastery of strategy craft skills (hypothesis-driven thinking, project scoping, lean testing, financial and business modeling, strategic option identification, and rigorous data analytics).


• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor a talented and driven strategy team in the development and execution of strategic initiatives; excellent people development and leadership skills. Able to manage multiple extended or virtual teams.


• Project management experience on an international scale, providing strategic leadership for multiple programs simultaneously in a cross-functional business.


• Experience with other strategic transactions including partnerships, alliances, or joint ventures.


• Strong financial acumen, Excel modeling skills and experience applying those skills to business development, operations, and other projects.


• Excellent communications skills. Must be able to communicate in writing effectively and succinctly and orally to executive management.


• An entrepreneurial, creative thinker with an action-oriented approach characterized by speed and productivity.


• An ability to operate at the highest ethical levels and project this integrity to customers and employees.


• Ability to perform with high pressure and short timelines.

Circana Behaviors



As well as the technical skills, experience and attributes that are required for the role, our shared behaviors sit at the core of our organization. Therefore, we always look for people who can continuously champion these behaviors throughout the business within their day-to-day role:

• Stay Curious: Being hungry to learn and grow, always asking the big questions


• Seek Clarity: Embracing complexity to create clarity and inspire action


• Own the Outcome: Being accountable for decisions and taking ownership of our choices


• Center on the Client: Relentlessly adding value for our customers


• Be a Challenger: Never complacent, always striving for continuous improvement


• Champion Inclusivity: Fostering trust in relationships engaging with empathy, respect and integrity


• Commit to each other: Contributing to making Circana a great place to work for everyone

Location



This position can be located in the following area(s): Chicago, IL or New York City.


The below range reflects the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, any collective bargaining agreements, and business or organizational needs.


The salary range for this role is $130,000.00 $180,000.00.


This job is also eligible for bonus pay.


We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.


You can apply for this role through our career website.


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