Director, Strategy and Operations

Career Guide
A Director of Strategy and Operations sets direction for how a business unit grows and improves, then builds the plans, routines, and teams to deliver results. The role combines strategic planning with day to day execution, often partnering closely with executives and cross functional leaders.

Key Responsibilities

  • Define strategic priorities and annual goals with senior leadership
  • Build multi quarter operating plans and track progress against milestones
  • Lead cross functional programs that improve growth, cost, or customer outcomes
  • Create decision frameworks for resource allocation and investment choices
  • Establish performance metrics and review cadences for business health
  • Identify operational bottlenecks and redesign processes to improve speed and quality
  • Own executive reporting, narrative updates, and business reviews
  • Drive change management and adoption of new ways of working
  • Develop and coach managers and program leads

Top Skills for Success

Strategic Planning
Program Leadership
Operational Excellence
Stakeholder Management
Executive Communication
Data Analysis
Financial Modeling
Budget Management
Process Design
Change Management
Vendor Management
People Leadership

Career Progression

Can Lead To
Strategy and Operations Senior Manager
Chief of Staff
Business Operations Director
Program Director
Operations Director
Transition Opportunities
Vice President of Strategy
Vice President of Operations
General Manager
Chief Operating Officer
Head of Business Operations

Common Skill Gaps

Often Missing Skills
P and L OwnershipAdvanced Financial ForecastingEnterprise Change LeadershipOperations ScalingOrg DesignRisk Management
Development SuggestionsSeek ownership of a high impact business problem with clear metrics, lead a cross functional program end to end, and strengthen finance skills through forecasting and investment cases. Build credibility by improving a core process and showing measurable results.

Salary & Demand

Median Salary Range
Entry LevelUSD 150,000 to 190,000
Mid LevelUSD 190,000 to 240,000
Senior LevelUSD 240,000 to 320,000
Growth Trend
Steady demand, especially in technology, healthcare, financial services, and high growth mid market companies that need tighter execution and clearer priorities.

Companies Hiring

Major Employers
AmazonGoogleMicrosoftSalesforceAppleMetaNetflixUberAirbnbWalmartJPMorgan ChaseUnitedHealth Group
Industry Sectors
TechnologyEcommerceFinancial ServicesHealthcareConsumer GoodsManufacturingProfessional ServicesLogisticsMedia

Recommended Next Steps

1
Build a portfolio of 3 to 5 outcomes with metrics that show business impact
2
Create an operating plan example that includes goals, initiatives, owners, and cadence
3
Strengthen finance skills with a forecasting model and a business case write up
4
Practice executive updates using short written narratives and clear visuals
5
Target roles aligned to a function you can influence quickly such as revenue operations or business operations
6
Network with leaders in operations and strategy and ask about the top two priorities they need solved