Head of Corporate Strategy

The Head of Corporate Strategy plays a leadership role in the business, in support of the CFO as the longer-term strategic priorities are developed, valued, prioritized, and slated for execution. This position will be leading the strategy management team in the development of long-range of strategic plans and objectives through the identification of strategic issues and opportunities that could influence business growth and profitability.

The duties of the Head of Corporate Strategy are inclusive of competitor benchmarking, industry intelligence, developing deep expertise in the firm's business segments and markets, and interacting with investment bankers on the diligence of potential transactions as they may become available. Additionally, the position will use the knowledge gained in the position to educate the management team and other stakeholders of the strategic levers and opportunities for expansion within each segment, and the development of strategic initiatives. The Head of Corporate Strategy leads the department in launching high priority strategic initiatives, working directly with the business's leadership, executives, and stakeholders.

Essential Functions
• Responsible for the definition of structure and execution of firm's annual strategic planning process and supports the LOB specific development of work plans, gathering and generation of relevant data, driving analyses, and the development of actionable recommendations.
• Identifies and develops strategic opportunities for the business with a view of diversifying the consumer base and gaining an additional share of the market.
• Reviews feasibility of new markets as well as their potential growth opportunities.
• Comes up with strategies that inform the marketing, financial and channel planning for the business as well as target setting for weekly/quarterly/annual business plans.
• Evaluates and recommends business portfolio frameworks, strategies, financial concepts, practices, programs, processes, and measures to be applied across the business.
• Engages and supports the business in numerous fronts in defining and refining business strategies with a specific focus on designing and implementing new strategic approaches, ideas, and processes that will grow the business and avail measurable results.
• Works with the business’s executives and stakeholders in order to evaluate overall performance against targets and make necessary adjustments as is necessary.
• Establishes KPIs that the business will measure performances against and determine the effectiveness of the implemented strategies.
• Drives awareness and insightful analyses of the market and transaction trends as well as identifies and explores any adjacencies to the business in order to ascertain risks and opportunities.
• Builds analytical models and performs regular financial, competitive, performance, and market analyses for the business in order to comprehensively value business opportunities and ensure well-founded strategies are presented to the relevant leadership
• Establishes collaborative and trusting relationships with the business’s key internal leaders and stakeholders in order to ensure that there is a free flow of ideas and information across the business, leading to suitable strategy formulation and overall business performance enhancement.

Additional Essential Functions
• Ensure compliance with Northwest’s policies and procedures, and Federal/State regulations
• Navigate Microsoft Office Software, computer applications, and software specific to the department in order to maximize technology tools and gain efficiency
• Work as part of a team
• Work with on-site equipment

Safety and Health for Supervisors without Direct Reports
• Discourage any unsafe work habits by setting a good example for employees by following the required safe work practices as indicated by the safety and loss prevention program
• Consistently and fairly enforce safe work practices
• Ensure that each employee knows what to do in the event of an emergency

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education
Master's Degree Business Administration, Finance or Accounting

Work Experience
6 - 8 years Strategy Management Experience

Executive Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Ability to develop and implement an organizational vision which integrates key strategic goals, priorities, values, and other factors 
• Ability to balance change and continuity – to continually strive to improve customer service and program performance, to create a work environment that encourages creative thinking, and to maintain focus, intensity and persistence, even under adversity 
• Ability to design and implement strategies which maximize employee potential and foster high ethical standards in meeting the Northwest’s vision, mission, and goals 
• Ability to make timely and effective decisions and produce results through strategic planning and the implementation and evaluation of programs and policies
• Ability to acquire and administer human, financial, material, and information resources in a manner which instills public trust and accomplishes Northwest’s mission, and to use new technology to enhance decision making
• Ability to explain, advocate and express facts and ideas in a convincing manner, and negotiate with individuals and groups internally and externally
• Ability to develop an expansive professional network with other organizations
• Knowledge of key national and industry policies and economic, political, and social trends that affect Northwest; Understands near-term and long-range plans and determines how best to be positioned to achieve a competitive business advantage

Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, strength in framing / storytelling related to insights gleaned and opportunities
Passion for information and developing insights
Ability to develop tactical and long-term plans/strategy
Strong organizational capabilities, working multiple initiatives concurrently
Critical thinking and intuition for the next best action
Analytical expertise to review larger data sets
Experience with building presentations, including charts