Director, Corporate Strategy

Circana; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Circana in Chicago, IL is seeking a Senior Corporate Strategy leader to shape growth across existing and new business models. You will drive end-to-end strategy development, partner with ELT, and align executives across product, technology, and operations to deliver ambitious initiatives.

The role requires deep analytical thinking, 5+ years in strategy (MBA preferred), strong financial modeling, and experience guiding large, cross-functional teams—while navigating an AI-driven market to unlock

Qualifications

• 5+ years of strategy experience; with at least 2+ years at a top-tier strategy firm.
• MBA strongly preferred; Bachelor's degree in Business/Operations related field.
• Experience in consumer products, retail, software, analytics or BI sectors is desirable.
• Mastery of hypothesis-driven thinking, scoping, lean testing, and data analytics.
• Ability to lead and mentor a strategy team across multiple programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and execution of Circana's corporate strategy initiatives.
• Align business unit, functional and regional strategies with overall goals.
• Drive portfolio strategy, value creation and major transformation programs.
• Coordinate corporate development activities: M&A, partnerships, and divestitures.
• Develop board-ready content and strategic business cases; support ELT decisions.
• Explore AI/GenAI opportunities to reshape offerings and operating models.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Financial modeling

Excel

Cross-functional leadership

AI/GenAI awareness

Project management

Communication

Entrepreneurial mindset

Ethical integrity

Education

MBA preferred

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

Financial modeling

Job description

Let's be unstoppable together! Circana is a leading provider of technology, AI, and data solutions for consumer packaged goods companies, manufacturers, and retailers. Our predictive analytics and Liquid Data® platform help clients measure market share, uncover consumer behavior, and drive growth-powered by six decades of expertise and an expansive, high-quality data set. At Circana, we are fueled by our passion for continuous learning and growth, we seek and share feedback freely, and we celebrate victories both big and small in an environment that is flexible and accommodating to our work and personal lives. We're a global company dedicated to fostering inclusivity and belonging. We value and celebrate the unique experiences, cultures, and viewpoints that each individual brings. By embracing a wide range of backgrounds, skills, expertise, and beyond, we create a stronger, more innovative environment for our employees, clients, and communities. With us, you can always bring your full self to work. Join our inclusive, committed team to be a challenger, own outcomes, and stay curious together. Learn more at www.circana.com.

What will I be doing? We are seeking a strong strategic thinker who is able to help define and accelerate Circana's growth trajectory. You will play a critical role in the Corporate Strategy group by driving the end-to-end aspects of creating and operationalizing the strategies required to drive growth from both our existing business and new and emerging business models. Reporting to the SVP, Corporate Strategy, you will be a key member of Circana's strategy leadership team and lead global cross-functional teams on critical growth initiatives. As a leader within Circana, you will work closely with key stakeholders to craft corporate, business unit and product strategy recommendations that can be implemented across the organization. The successful candidate will interact with the CEO, commercial, product and technology leaders, M&A/corporate development, and other executive team members to ensure alignment with the overall corporate strategy. As Circana navigates a rapidly changing, AI-driven market, you will help shape how the company harnesses AI and emerging technologies to sharpen our competitive advantage, unlock new business models, and reimagine how we deliver value to clients. This is a critical leadership position within Circana. The ideal candidate will operate at a high level of intellectual curiosity, exhibit superior analytical skills, demonstrate a strong work ethic, and bring a proven ability to work with and lead teams. They will have the maturity, confidence, intellectual strengths, and real-world experience to lead and inspire a team of smart and driven professionals. This candidate must have a passion for understanding, driving value, and delivering growth for Circana's business and the customers we serve.

Job Responsibilities

• Strategy Design: Lead and participate in the design and iteration of corporate strategy; drive the strategic planning process, acting as a trusted advisor to Circana's Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and relevant stakeholders during strategy formulation, development, and execution.
• Strategic Alignment: Collaborate with stakeholders across the business to ensure Circana's business unit, functional, and regional strategies are aligned to advance the goals of the overall business.
• Long Term Value Creation: Spearheading portfolio strategy & optimization efforts to create competitive advantage and maximize value creation.
• Strategic Projects: Direct and coordinate critical company transformation initiatives, including prioritization of projects, development of business cases, supporting implementation plans, and coordinating with relevant business leaders.
• Corporate Development: Play a key role in corporate acquisitions, joint ventures, and divestiture efforts, providing support throughout the deal lifecycle including identification, assessment, diligence, planning, and execution.
• Business Case Development: Support multiple projects that require overall problem structuring, strategy formulation and quantitative / qualitative analysis (e.g., white space opportunity sizing, geographic expansion, portfolio analysis, competitive landscape).
• Board-Level Content Preparation: Responsible for working closely with senior management, coordinating, and developing Board presentations in support of key strategic outputs.
• AI & Emerging Technology Strategy: Identify and evaluate how AI, GenAI, and emerging technologies can reshape Circana's offerings, operating model, and markets; translate these shifts into actionable strategic recommendations and business cases for the ELT.

Requirements

• 5+ years of relevant strategy experience; with at least 2+ years of experience with a top-tier strategy consulting firm.
• MBA strongly preferred, Bachelor's degree required (preferably in the areas of Business or Operations concentration, i.e., Finance, Engineering, Economics, etc.)
• Industry experience in the consumer products, consumer services, retail sectors, software, analytics or business intelligence sectors is desired.
• Mastery of strategy craft skills (hypothesis-driven thinking, project scoping, lean testing, financial and business modeling, strategic option identification, and rigorous data analytics)
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor a talented and driven strategy team in the development and execution of strategic initiatives; excellent people development and leadership skills.
• Able to manage multiple extended or virtual teams.
• Demonstrated curiosity about and working fluency in AI/GenAI and its strategic implications; experience assessing how emerging technologies disrupt business models and create new growth opportunities is a strong plus.
• Project management experience on an international scale, providing strategic leadership for multiple programs simultaneously in a cross-functional business.
• Experience with other strategic transactions including partnerships, alliances or joint ventures.
• Strong financial acumen, Excel modeling skills and experience applying those skills to business development, operations and other projects.
• Excellent communications skills. Must be able to effectively and succinctly communicate in writing and orally to executive management.
• An entrepreneurial, creative thinker with an action-oriented approach characterized by speed and productivity.
• An ability to operate at the highest ethical levels and project this integrity to customers and employees.
• Ability to perform with high pressure and short timelines.

Location

This position can be located in the following area(s): Hybrid: Chicago, IL or New York, NY. The below range reflects the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, shift, travel requirements, sales or revenue-based metrics, any collective bargaining agreements, and business or organizational needs. The salary range for this role is $140,000.00 to $180,000.00 USD. This job is also eligible for bonus pay. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees. An offer of employment may be conditional upon successful completion of a background check in accordance with local legislation and our candidate privacy notice. Your current employer will not be contacted without your permission.

Circana uses artificial intelligence (AI) to assess resumes for alignment with job requirements by helping locate details in resumes that relate to the job description.

This position is expected to remain open for approximately 30 days and may close earlier if sufficient qualified candidates are identified.