Corporate Planning Strategist

FordDirect; Dearborn (MI); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

FordDirect is seeking a Corporate Planning Strategist to partner with the CEO/COO and lead enterprise strategy, long-range planning, and performance monitoring. The role shapes priorities, develops roadmaps, and drives execution across the organization.

The ideal candidate brings 10+ years in corporate strategy, management consulting, or related fields, with strong financial acumen and experience influencing senior executives. This hybrid role requires in-office presence Tue–Thu.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to craft a compelling narrative from complex analyses to build alignment, influence stakeholders, and drive decisions.
• Ability to apply critical thinking and analysis skills and build frameworks for executive messaging.
• Ability to develop strategies and establish governance and implementation systems and processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide insights, market intelligence, and decision-support on key opportunities.
• Partner with CEO/COO to develop strategic priorities and translate objectives into initiatives and metrics.
• Lead annual strategic planning processes and performance tracking.
• Oversee high-priority strategic initiatives from executive leadership.
• Leverage AI-enabled tools to improve efficiency and accuracy.

Skills

Narrative storytelling

Critical thinking

Strategic governance

AI-enabled tools

Follow-through

Customer service mindset

Professional judgment

Independent collaboration

Continuous improvement

Organization & time management

Interpersonal communication

Microsoft Office

Automotive marketing knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Finance, or related field

MBA

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The Corporate Planning Strategist, reporting to the CEO, supports the development and execution of the organization’s strategic priorities and growth initiatives. This role partners with the CEO and COO to inform and develop the corporate strategy, translate business objectives into actionable plans, and ensure effective execution across the organization. This role leads the organization’s enterprise strategy development and long-range planning processes, translates vision and opportunities into clear priorities, measurable goals, and actionable roadmaps. This position will help drive alignment and execution by developing reporting and monitoring systems and processes.

The position will analyze market trends, the competitive landscape and create compelling messaging (POVs, white papers, executive presentations, etc.) to inform leadership decision-making and the evaluation of growth opportunities.

The ideal candidate has an analytical mindset with the ability to craft compelling stories and comes from a corporate strategy, strategic operations role or management consulting firm.

This position is a hybrid role which requires the employee to work in the office Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Essential Functions

• Provide insights, recommendations, market intelligence, and decision-making support on critical business opportunities and challenges.
• Partner with the CEO, COO, and executive team to develop strategic priorities and translate business objectives into operational initiatives, key performance metrics, and execution plans.
• Lead annual strategic planning processes, including goal setting, prioritization, business reviews, and performance tracking.
• Lead and oversee high-priority strategic initiatives sponsored by executive leadership.
• Leverage AI-based tools and technologies to improve efficiency, accuracy, and quality of work within scope of responsibilities.
• Monitor evolving automotive retail, digital marketing, customer experience, data, and technology trends to identify opportunities for competitive advantage and growth through strategic investments and partnerships.
• Develop executive-level POVs, business cases, thought papers, and recommendations supported by data, financial analysis, and business insights.
• Facilitate coordination between the CEO, COO, and executive team to ensure enterprise-wide alignment, consistent tracking and follow-through on commitments and strategic objectives.
• Lead preparation of reports, business reviews, briefing materials, updates and facilitation of executive team meetings, strategic reviews, planning meetings, and board-level presentations.
• Support organizational change management efforts associated with strategic initiatives and business transformation.
• Support annual operating plan and budgeting processes in partnership with Finance and business area leaders.

% Travel Required (Approximate): 25%

Qualifications

At FordDirect, we believe in diversity as a strength. You are encouraged to apply even if your experience or background doesn't precisely match the job description. Candidates who do not meet all listed qualifications may be considered based on the combination of relevant work experience and depth of expertise in job-related skills.

Experience

• Progressive experience in strategic planning, business operations, management consulting, corporate strategy, program management, or related disciplines, 10+ years
• Experience influencing senior executives and driving cross-functional initiatives, 7+ years.
• Experience leading enterprise-wide strategic initiatives and organizational transformation efforts.
• Strong financial acumen, including business planning, budgeting, forecasting, and investment evaluation.
• Experience in either automotive, digital marketing, technology, SaaS, agency, or consulting, preferred.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Proven ability to craft a compelling narrative from complex analyses to build alignment, influence stakeholders, and drive decisions.
• Ability to apply critical thinking and analysis skills and build frameworks and models to create clear, structured executive-ready messaging.
• Ability to develop strategies and establish governance and implementation systems and processes.
• Demonstrated fluency with AI-enabled tools and a working understanding of their appropriate use, limitations and application to job-related tasks.
• Follow-through mindset to uphold a ‘close the loop’ culture.
• A positive approach to serving customers and providing exceptional customer service.
• Ability to demonstrate good judgment, high ethics, and project a professional image.
• Ability to work independently and as a collaborative team member with a positive ‘can do’ attitude.
• The drive to identify and seize opportunities for continuous improvement as business needs change.
• Excellent organization, flexibility and time management skills and the ability to work in a dynamic, deadline-driven environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal and business communication skills (written, verbal, listening).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Deep understanding of current and future automotive marketing vendors and platforms

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Finance, or related field required

MBA preferred

At FordDirect, our emphasis on diversity is much more than words. We encourage you to be yourself. We open our minds and doors to all walks of life, respecting and celebrating the uniqueness within each of us. We value the voice and contributions of all team members. The diversity of our team drives us, inspires us, and makes us proud to call FordDirect home. FordDirect is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please email [e-mail].

Note to Third-Party Agencies: FordDirect accepts resumes only from employment businesses/agencies with which we formally engage their services. Please do not forward resumes to our applicant tracking system, FordDirect employees or hiring managers. FordDirect will not be liable for any fees arising from such actions or any fees arising from any referrals by employment businesses/agencies for vacancies posted on this site.

FordDirect is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Only candidates permanently authorized to work in the United States will be considered.