The Director, Strategy is a key member of the Compliance Solutions (CS) executive leadership team responsible for shaping and executing the future direction of the CS organization. Includes creating the business unit’s Vision & Strategic Plan (VSP), collaborating with key stakeholders to create and implement the day-to-day and operating strategy, and identifying/proposing mergers and acquisitions that drive long-term business growth and success to achieve our long-and short-term strategic and operational goals.
Involves diving deep into market trends, competitive landscapes, and internal capabilities to develop actionable strategies that drive profitable growth and innovation. By aligning CS’ longer-term objectives with its operational execution, the Director, Strategy not only anticipates changes in the business environment but also positions CS to respond effectively, ensuring sustainability and success in an ever-evolving marketplace.
ResponsibilitiesEssential Duties and Responsibilities

Direct/Oversee CS’ long-term strategic planning function.

Analyze emerging industry trends, expansion opportunities including mergers and acquisitions, competitive threats, viability of outside business partners and sources of capital.

• Identify and evaluate market segments and growth opportunities (e.g., product extensions, adjacent and new market/geographies penetration), building conviction around opportunities to pursue an optimal execution path (build, partner, buy)
• Conduct regular market scans to identify acquisition targets
• Regularly evaluate portfolio strategy and identify and recommend potential divestitures, as appropriate.
• Conduct market/competitive research by analyzing market dynamics, market share changes, product line performance and competitive intelligence, and independently manage engagement with consulting firms and market research firms
• Develop and manage CS’ 3-year Vision & Strategic Plan (VSP) content to support longer-term goals and profitable growth
• Lead and manage the annual strategic planning process with cross-functional teams. Work with EVP & GM Compliance Solutions on the development of supporting executive-level presentations for CEO and board.
• Advise senior management on CS’ strategic planning decisions and long-term direction, presenting findings and recommendations in a clear and compelling manner
• Identify emerging trends and technologies that could impact CS’ strategic direction, proposing adaptive strategies
• Work closely with FCC Divisional Strategy colleagues to align business priorities with company objectives.
• Serve as a thought leader and trusted strategic advisor to business leaders by engaging with key CS functional areas (e.g., Market Strategy, Product Management, Sales, Marketing) and other divisional teams (e.g., Finance, HR, Customer Insights, Global Business Services)
• Collaborate with business leaders and functional groups to lead the preparation of monthly operating reporting reviews and corporate presentations
• Ensure growth strategies’ budgets, schedules and performance goals are realistically set and attained.
• Identify strategic/performance issues (root cause analysis) and develop timely business recommendations for a clear and measurable path to improvement
• Manage and direct the activities of the CS Strategic Planning team members establishing standards and setting clear goals and objectives, and regularly monitoring performance.
• Support WK talent management processes through active leadership, coaching, recruiting and organizational development activities including talent review, training, and cultivation of new team members through the use of available WK programs and tools. Work with HR to establish Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) as necessary
• Establish performance goals and support staff in their professional development; provide ongoing feedback
• Develop and maintain functional area process improvement programs and best practices

Job QualificationsEducationMinimum: Bachelors degree in Business or equivalent
Preferred: Masters Degree
ExperienceMinimum Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of related experience in strategy, business management or equivalent industry related roles, with 5 or more years serving in a leadership position
• Excellent experience transforming a vision into an operational plan
• Proven success record of driving strategies and plans to support profitable growth objectives, including mergers and acquisitions
• Track record of achievement in a complex matrixed environment with multiple stakeholders
• Previous direct experience in banking or related industries is a plus but not required

Skills and abilities:

• Excellent research, analysis and business case development skills
• Excellent communicator (verbal and written) with an easy ability to transform strategy into compelling, impactful messages
• Collaborative leader with high integrity and high standards that can draw teams together toward common goals and ambitions
• Ability to prioritize among many competing alternatives and plans, balancing internal customer needs with business priorities
• Proven ability to create and manage budgets
• Strong organizational and project management skills with an ability to reprioritize based on evolving business needs; detail oriented
• Ability to excel as a leader, team member or individual contributor in driving issues and tasks to completion.
• Highly-motivated with an ability to think independently, and create productive structure in the midst of ambiguity
• High degree of urgency and ownership.
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Teams

Other Skills and abilities:

• Presence – Executive like presence, working effectively with senior leadership at Wolters Kluwer, but able to roll up sleeves and work effectively with all levels of the organization
• Strategic Focus – Ability to see the whole picture, think strategically, and implement the changes today that will lead to the integrated, efficient organization desired in the future
• Commitment – A trusted partner to the executive leadership team, Sales Leader, Segment leadership and other teams.
• Communication – Ability to plan and deliver verbal and written communications that are impactful and persuasive with their intended audiences. Everyday skills that allow for open and honest communication across the team and organization. Articulate with the ability to generate enthusiasm within the organization
• Business Acumen – Ability to perform with insight, acuteness and intelligence; a builder with a hands-on management style and a high sense of urgency
• Outstanding Work Ethic and Passion – A person with the highest moral and ethical standards, who can be relied upon to always act in the best long-term interests of the company. A personality that embraces and is excited by a challenge
• Strong interpersonal skills – Must be able to lead a multi-disciplinary group that is geographically distributed
• Time management – Strong time management and prioritizing skills with the flexibility to recalibrate quickly according to changing requirements

Travel RequirementsApproximately 15% of the time – Domestic or International

• This role will be located in our Waltham, MA office as a hybrid role (three days a week in the office) reporting to the Executive VP, General Management - Software (FCC/CS).*