Director of Strategic Planning, ELDS NAM

ABB Inc.; Miles (NC); Remote; USD 143,000 - 228,000; Full time

Job summary

ABB is seeking a Director of Strategic Planning to drive NAM DS division strategy and inorganic growth. You will lead market research, competitive analyses, and executive-ready presentations, while supporting M&A activities.

The role emphasizes data-driven insights and cross-functional collaboration across the US, with remote work flexibility. The ideal candidate has a strong finance/strategy background, 10+ years of relevant experience, and authorization to work in the US.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Engineering, or equivalent.
• 10+ years of experience in corporate strategy, strategic planning, management consulting, investment banking, or related analytics.
• Structured market and competitive research including market sizing and benchmarking.
• Strong financial acumen; experience building financial models and business cases.
• Proficient in PowerPoint; ability to build clean, data-driven slides for executives.
• Proficient in AI research tools.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; able to synthesize complex information.
• Self-starter with ability to manage workload with minimal supervision.
• Some exposure to M&A research or corporate development preferred.
• Authorization to work for ABB in the US.

Responsibilities

• Lead external market research on prioritized end markets and segments.
• Build market-sizing models, competitive benchmarks, and data visualizations.
• Support competitive intelligence with summarized competitor data for stakeholders.
• Develop strategy presentation materials for executive management.
• Coordinate research tools and market intelligence platforms for Strategy & M&A.
• Track planning items and consolidate inputs from cross-functional teams.
• Conduct research for prospective acquisition targets and support due diligence data gathering.
• Maintain the M&A pipeline tracker and assist with synergy analysis & integration workstreams.

Skills

Market research

Financial modeling

PowerPoint

AI research tools

Strategic thinking

Written communication

Project management

M&A research exposure

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Capital IQ

PitchBook

Tableau

Power BI

Job description

At ABB, we help industries run leaner and cleaner-and every person here makes that happen. You'll be empowered to lead, supported to grow, and proud of the impact we create together. Join us and help run what runs the world.

This position reports to:

Business Line Strategy Manager, North America ELDS

The Director of Strategic Planning supports the NAM DS Business Line Strategy Leader in executing the division's strategic planning and inorganic growth agenda. This role is a key analytical and research contributor, responsible for gathering market intelligence, building competitive analyses, preparing presentation materials, and assisting on active M&A projects as directed. The Manager works closely with market and product managers, corporate development colleagues, and cross-functional teams, translating data into clear, actionable insights that feed directly into executive-level strategy work. Approximately 75% of the role is focused on strategic research and planning support, with the remaining 25% devoted to M&A project assistance and special initiatives.

This role is open to applicants within the US who will work remotely (preference for those within the Eastern and Central time zones). #LI-Remote

You will be mainly accountable for:

• Strategy Research & Planning Support (Primary - 75%~):

• Lead in conducting external market research on prioritized end markets and segments-including macrotrend identification, market sizing, industry structure analysis, profitability mapping, and channel assessment-to inform divisional strategy. Lead and coordinate internal market research including: Build Marimekko charts, market-sizing models, competitive benchmarks, and other analytical frameworks under the direction of the Business Line Strategy Manager. Support the competitive intelligence program by gathering, organizing, and summarizing competitor data (pricing, product positioning, share shifts, strategic announcements) for distribution to relevant stakeholders. Assist in the development of strategy presentation materials for executive management, including slide preparation, data visualization, and supporting analysis required for strategy reviews and leadership offsites. Conduct desktop research on industry trends, adjacent markets, and emerging technologies to provide the Strategy Planning Manager with timely, well-synthesized inputs. Identify, evaluate, maintain, and own research tools, data subscriptions, and market intelligence platforms used by the Strategy & M&A function. Support the strategic planning process by tracking action items, updating planning templates, and consolidating inputs from cross-functional stakeholders.

• M&A Project Assistance (Secondary - 25%~)

• Conduct research on prospective acquisition targets as directed, compiling target profiles that include business descriptions, strategic fit rationale, competitive positioning, and preliminary financial summaries. Coordinate with Business Area team on active M&A processes, including supporting due diligence data gathering, coordinating information flow, and preparing materials for non-binding and binding offer stages. Help maintain and update the M&A pipeline tracker, relationship-management tool, and target coverage database. Support synergy analysis and integration planning workstreams by gathering data, building supporting models, and tracking progress against milestones as directed. Assist with special projects that increase the capability of the Strategy & M&A team, such as implementing new research workflows, tool rollouts, or process improvements.

Required Qualifications for the role:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Engineering, or equivalent.

• 10+ years of combined professional experience in corporate strategy, strategic planning, management consulting, investment banking, or related analytical role.

• Demonstrated ability to conduct structured market and competitive research, including market sizing, Marimekko / waterfall chart construction, and industry benchmarking.

• Strong financial acumen with experience building and interpreting financial models and business case analyses.

• Proficient in PowerPoint; ability to build clean, well-structured, data-driven slides suitable for senior management audiences.

• Proficient in AI research tools

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into concise summaries.

• Self-starter who can manage workloads and deadlines with minimal supervision while operating effectively in a team environment.

• Some exposure to M&A research, due diligence, or corporate development activities preferred.

• Candidates must already possess authorization to work for ABB in the US.

Preferred Qualifications for the role:

• MBA or Master's degree in Finance, Strategy, or related discipline.

• Management consulting experience at a leading firm.

• Investment banking or corporate development analyst/associate experience.

• Familiarity with electrical products and / or adjacent industrial technology markets.

• Experience with data and analytics tools such as Capital IQ, PitchBook, Tableau, Power BI, or similar research platforms.

What's in it for you:

We empower you to take initiative, challenge ideas, and lead with confidence. You'll grow through meaningful work, continuous learning, and support that's tailored to your goals. Every idea you share and every action you take contributes to something bigger

ABB is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affir

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their sex (gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation), marital status, citizenship, age, race and ethnicity, inclusive of traits historically associated with race or ethnicity, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles, color, religious creed, national origin, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal and state law.

For more information regarding your (EEO) rights as an applicant, please visit the following websites: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf

As an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affir

Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access ABB's career site as a result of your disability. You may request reasonable accommodations by calling an ABB HR Representative at 1-888-694-7762 or by sending an email to [e-mail]. Resumes and applications will not be accepted in this manner.

While base salary is determined by things such as the successful applicant's qualifications and experience, this position is expected to pay between $142,500 and $228,000 annually and is eligible for a short-term incentive plan/annual bonus.

ABB Benefit Summary for eligible US employees

[excludes ABB E-mobility, Athens union, Puerto Rico]

Go to MyBenefitsABB.com and click on "Candidate/Guest" to learn more

Health, Life & Disability

• Choice between two medical plan options: A PPO plan called the Copay Plan OR a High Deductible Health Plan (with a Health Savings Account) called the High Deductible Plan.

• Choice between two dental plan options: Core and Core Plus

• Vision benefit

• Company paid life insurance (2X base pay)

• Company paid AD&D (1X base pay)

• Voluntary life and AD&D - 100% employee paid up to maximums

• Short Term Disability - up to 26 weeks - Company paid

• Long Term Disability - 60% of pay - Company paid. Ability to "buy-up" to 66 2/3% of pay.

• Supplemental benefits - 100% employee paid (Accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness, pet insurance

• Paid Parental Leave

• Employee Assistance Program

• Health Advocate support resources for mental/behavioral health, general health navigation and virtual health, and infertility/adoption

• Employee discount program

Retirement

• 401k Savings Plan with Company Contributions

• Employee Stock Acquisition Plan (ESAP)

Time off

ABB provides 11 paid holidays. Salaried exempt positions are provided vacation under a permissive time away policy.

Building a cleaner, smarter future takes all kinds of minds: the curious, the courageous, and the creative. That's why we welcome people from all backgrounds and experiences.