Associate Principal, Business Strategy

DRG, Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote role

Job summary

Cortico-X is seeking an Associate Principal to lead Business Strategy engagements that embed experience at the core of operating models. You will work with Fortune 500s and growth startups, shaping transformation strategies and guiding cross-functional teams through complex initiatives.

The role includes exposure to business development, proposal support, and potential origination leadership as you grow with the firm. Fully remote with flexible work arrangements is offered.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years in management consulting, business strategy, or experience-led transformation
• 3+ years in senior client-facing advisory roles with executive impact
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, or related field
• Proven track record designing operating models, governance structures, or strategic roadmaps
• Experience with both large enterprises and growth-stage companies preferred
• Some exposure to business development, proposal support, or account expansion

Responsibilities

• Lead discovery and visioning sessions with executives to surface opportunities
• Translate objectives into actionable strategy roadmaps and operating models
• Present findings and recommendations to C-suite and VP-level stakeholders
• Support proposals, pursuits, and account growth
• Design governance frameworks and experience leadership models
• Mentor project teams of consultants and analysts

Skills

Executive presence

Strategic thinking

Client-facing advisory

Communication

Facilitation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Admin/Related field

MBA preferred

Job description

All Jobs > Associate Principal, Business Strategy

Cortico-X was built on a simple belief: what's best for people is what's best for the organization. We help leaders turn that belief into action by connecting insight, strategy, and transformation in ways that create stronger experiences and better business outcomes.

This is not consulting for consulting's sake. Our work is designed to move organizations forward by helping them make smarter decisions, align around what matters most, and turn human understanding into real change.

We are building a different kind of firm for the AI era — one that treats human experience as a strategic advantage, not a side consideration. If that kind of work energizes you, read on.

The Opportunity

Cortico-X is seeking an Associate Principal to lead Business Strategy engagements that shape how organizations operate by embedding experience at the core of their business and operating models. In this role, you will work directly with senior client stakeholders—across Fortune 500 enterprises and high-growth startups—to design and activate transformative strategies that deliver measurable outcomes. This is a client-facing, advisory-first role: you will lead discovery, shape recommendations, and guide cross-functional teams through complex transformation initiatives spanning operating model design, governance, change enablement, and portfolio planning.

This role carries growing exposure to business development — supporting proposals, pursuits, and account growth — building the foundation to take on greater origination responsibility as you grow with the firm.

What You’ll Do

Client Leadership & Business Development

• Serve as a trusted advisor to C-suite and VP-level stakeholders across industries and company stages
• Lead discovery and visioning sessions to surface business model gaps and experience-led transformation opportunities
• Translate business objectives into actionable strategy roadmaps, operating model blueprints, and phased delivery plans
• Present findings, frameworks, and recommendations to executive audiences with clarity and conviction
• Build enduring client relationships and identify opportunities to expand engagements over time
• Support business development efforts — including proposal development and pursuit preparation — building the skills to eventually lead origination independently
• Design and reimagine business and operating models that place customer and employee experience at the center
• Develop governance frameworks and experience leadership models that enable sustained organizational change
• Lead experience portfolio planning and prioritization exercises, balancing short-term wins with long-term transformation goals
• Craft compelling value cases and strategic narratives that align stakeholders and drive investment decisions
• Apply design thinking and systems-level perspectives to uncover root causes and define scalable solutions

Change Enablement & Delivery

• Develop change enablement strategies that prepare organizations to absorb and sustain transformation
• Define success metrics and governance structures to track progress against strategic objectives
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams—including data, design, and technology practitioners—to ensure strategy translates to delivery
• Facilitate workshops and alignment sessions with diverse stakeholder groups
• Lead and mentor project teams of consultants, strategists, and analysts
• Set direction, manage workstreams, and ensure quality of deliverables across engagements
• Contribute to internal capability building, knowledge sharing, and practice development

Requirements

What You’ll Bring

Experience

• 7–10 years in management consulting, business strategy, or experience-led transformation, including required tenure at a top-tier strategy firm (McKinsey, Bain, or BCG)
• 3+ years in senior client-facing advisory roles with demonstrated impact at the executive level
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, or a related field required
• Proven track record designing operating models, governance structures, or strategic roadmaps for complex organizations
• Experience working with both large enterprises and growth-stage companies preferred
• Some exposure to business development, proposal support, or account expansion is a plus, along with a genuine interest in growing into that responsibility

Strategy & Advisory Skills

• Deep expertise in business and operating model design, organizational governance, and change management
• Strong fluency in experience strategy frameworks, portfolio planning, and value case development
• Ability to synthesize ambiguous, complex problems into clear strategic choices and actionable recommendations
• Comfort navigating and leading through organizational complexity and competing stakeholder priorities
• An emerging orientation toward business development — comfortable contributing to pursuits and eager to grow into leading origination over time

Communication & Facilitation

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; able to craft compelling narratives for executive audiences
• Strong facilitation skills for workshops, alignment sessions, and strategic planning offsites
• Ability to structure and present complex ideas with clarity, precision, and confidence

Personal Qualities

• Executive presence and credibility with senior leaders across functions
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a bias toward action and impact
• Collaborative team leader who thrives in ambiguous, fast-paced environments
• Intellectually curious with a strong point of view on the future of business transformation
• Genuinely energized by meeting new people, building rapport quickly, and winning others over; finds the challenge of initiating new relationships fun rather than draining

Why This Role, Why Now

• A clear growth path toward greater client ownership and business development responsibility for strong performers
• A front-row seat in building a new kind of experience transformation firm.
• A collaborative, low-ego, high-performance culture.
• Opportunities to shape strategy and make a tangible impact with clients.
• Fully remote with flexible work arrangements
• Competitive compensation including base salary, performance bonuses, and strong benefits

Salary: Actual compensation is influenced by many factors including skill set, experience, and qualifications. The range of starting base pay for this role is $150,000-$200,000.

Actual compensation will vary based on skills, experience, and qualifications.

Cortico-X is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a team as diverse as the clients and communities we serve.