Director of Strategic Initiatives

Lynne Palmer Executive Recruitment; New York (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The NYC-based, design-focused materials marketplace seeks a Director of Strategic Initiatives to partner with the CEO, translate ideas into action with urgency and rigor, and maintain high standards across the organization.

You will lead CEO-driven initiatives end-to-end, align cross-functional teams, manage risks, and maintain clear communication while supporting strategic planning, board meetings, and executive communications.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Chief of Staff, strategy, business operations, entrepreneurship, or similarly high-impact role working closely with senior executives.
• Proven track record of independently leading complex, cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong business acumen, analytical skills, and judgment.
• Experience with high-impact initiatives such as M&A, fundraising, growth strategy, operational transformation, product development, or go-to-market strategy.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted partner and extension of the CEO, driving execution, alignment, accountability, and follow-through on the company’s highest-priority initiatives.
• Lead multiple CEO-driven strategic and operational initiatives end-to-end, translating broad ideas into clear plans, workstreams, owners, resources, risks, decisions, and next steps.
• Act as a thought partner to the CEO through analysis, recommendations, constructive challenge, and sound judgment on key business decisions.
• Maintain close alignment with the CEO on priorities, goals, decisions, and commitments while proactively surfacing risks, opportunities, and issues requiring leadership attention.
• Drive cross-functional alignment and organizational effectiveness by gathering and synthesizing insights, communicating priorities clearly, and ensuring teams follow through on commitments.
• Support high-impact executive activities, including strategic planning, executive and board meetings, presentations, and other critical communications.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Cross-functional leadership

Analytical skills

Executive partnership

Job description

(NYC) Design-focused materials marketplace company seeking a Director of Strategic Initiatives to work closely with the CEO. This role is responsible for translating the CEO's work into action with urgency, rigor, and high standards. Roughly half the role will focus on leading a high volume of fast-moving, CEO-driven projects, requiring the ability to rapidly assess opportunities, mobilize resources, navigate ambiguity, and drive outcomes. The other half will serve as the connective tissue between the CEO and the broader organization, ensuring alignment, communication, accountability, and follow-through across functions and levels. The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial, highly capable thought partner who brings clear analysis, sound judgment, candid perspective, and the credibility to represent the CEO effectively.

Main Responsibilities Include:

Serve as a trusted partner and extension of the CEO, driving execution, alignment, accountability, and follow-through on the company’s highest-priority initiatives.

Lead multiple CEO-driven strategic and operational initiatives end-to-end, translating broad ideas into clear plans, workstreams, owners, resources, risks, decisions, and next steps.

Act as a thought partner to the CEO through analysis, recommendations, constructive challenge, and sound judgment on key business decisions.

Maintain close alignment with the CEO on priorities, goals, decisions, and commitments while proactively surfacing risks, opportunities, and issues requiring leadership attention.

Drive cross-functional alignment and organizational effectiveness by gathering and synthesizing insights, communicating priorities clearly, and ensuring teams follow through on commitments.

Support high-impact executive activities, including strategic planning, executive and board meetings, presentations, and other critical communications.

Build trusted relationships across the organization and with external stakeholders while operating with exceptional judgment, discretion, professionalism

Qualifications/Experience/Skills Include:

Significant experience in Chief of Staff, strategy, business operations, corporate development, entrepreneurship, general management, or a similarly high-impact role working closely with senior executives.

Proven track record of independently leading complex, cross-functional initiatives

Strong business acumen, analytical skills, and judgment

Experience with high-impact initiatives such as M&A, fundraising, growth strategy, operational transformation, product development, or go-to-market strategy

Willingness to travel frequently (~50%).

Job#: JR-4796