Director, Strategy & Operations

GEICO; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 154,000 - 256,000; Full time

Job summary

GEICO seeks an accomplished Director of Strategy & Operations to lead transformation and operational priorities for the Tech organization. This hybrid role requires on-site presence 2-3 days a week in Palo Alto, CA or Bethesda, MD, and will manage a team of ~13-15 people focused on culture, change management, and executive support.

The position emphasizes stakeholder collaboration, governance, and measurable outcomes, with a salary range reflecting senior leadership responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 10+ years of experience in product, project, change management, strategy, or operations.
• 5+ years of experience leading cross-functional teams.
• At least 3 years in the P&C Insurance Industry.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and improve Tech operating rhythms and high-performance culture.
• Lead teams responsible for cultural transformation, change management, and operational support.
• Set strategy and drive execution for the Tech RTO program and changes.
• Oversee centralized EA support for multiple domains.
• Partner with HR, Recruiting, Finance, Communications, Risk/Compliance, Real Estate, and others to speed up Tech delivery.
• Establish performance framework and report progress to Tech leadership.
• Establish governance for Tech-wide initiatives and manage risks and dependencies.
• Set strategy for culture and engagement initiatives with People Group and Communications.
• Lead change management strategy for major Tech-wide initiatives.
• Provide leadership and development opportunities for team members.

Skills

Project management

Operating models

Data-driven insights

Stakeholder influence

Cross-functional leadership

Communication skills

Change management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Why Join GEICO?

At GEICO, we offer a rewarding career where your ambitions are met with endless possibilities.

Every day we honor our iconic brand by offering quality coverage to millions of customers and being there when they need us most. We thrive on relentless innovation to exceed our customers' expectations while making a real impact on local communities nationwide.

Founded in 1936, GEICO is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and one of the largest auto insurers in the United States. When you join our company, we want you to feel valued, supported, and proud to work here. That's why we offer the GEICO Pledge: Great Company, Great Culture, Great Rewards, and Great Careers.

GEICO is seeking an accomplished, customer-obsessed, and results-oriented Director of Strategy & Operations to lead key transformation and operational priorities for the Tech organization. This leader will manage a team of ~13-15 people responsible for Tech-wide culture and engagement initiatives, the Tech return-to-office (RTO) program, change management for major Tech-wide initiatives, and Tech’s centralized Executive Assistant (EA) support function.

This is a hybrid position, requiring on-site presence 2-3 days a week at one of the following locations: Palo Alto, CA; Bethesda, MD.

Job Responsibilities

• Design, build, and continuously improve Tech’s operating rhythms and high-performance culture to accelerate delivery against customer and business objectives.
• Lead multiple teams responsible for cultural transformation, change management, talent resource management, and operational support.
• Set the strategy and drive execution for the Tech RTO program, including operational readiness and change coordination as Technology office hubs become available.
• Oversee the centralized EA support function for Application Engineering/Product, Design, AI, Strategy, Analytics, and Operations.
• Partner across Business, HR and Recruiting, Finance, Communications, Risk and Compliance, Real Estate, and other stakeholder groups to improve the speed, efficiency, and effectiveness of Tech delivery.
• Establish the performance framework for the portfolio and advise Tech senior leadership on progress, readiness, risks, decisions, and measurable business outcomes.
• Establish governance and decision-making mechanisms for key Tech-wide initiatives, proactively escalating risks, resolving cross-functional dependencies and competing priorities, and holding teams accountable for measurable outcomes.
• Set the strategy for key Tech-wide culture and engagement initiatives in partnership with the People Group and Communications teams, strengthening associate connection, leadership alignment, and organizational effectiveness.
• Set the change management strategy for major Tech-wide initiatives, including stakeholder alignment, impact assessment, communications, leader readiness, associate engagement, and adoption planning.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and development opportunities that enable team members to grow, perform, and succeed.

What You Will Bring

• Strong understanding of project management, technology development, and operating model disciplines.
• Proven experience developing and managing organizational operating cadences and high-performance culture programs.
• Ability to synthesize operational, financial, and performance data into insights that inform strategic decisions.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• At least 10 years of experience in product, project, change management, strategy, or operations roles.
• At least 5 years of experience leading cross-functional teams and managing complex initiatives.
• At least 3 years of experience in the P&C Insurance Industry.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to advise senior executives, influence decisions across complex organizational boundaries, and establish governance for enterprise-scale initiatives.
• Experience leading enterprise-scale transformation, workforce, workplace, or operating model initiatives and translating strategy into measurable outcomes.
• Strong business judgment and organizational leadership, with the ability to navigate ambiguity, competing priorities, and sensitive organizational matters.
• Lean Six Sigma, Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Product Manager (CPM), Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), Design Thinking, or Leadership and Management certifications preferred.

Annual Salary

$153,750.00 - $256,250.00

The above annual salary range is a general guideline. Multiple factors are taken into consideration to arrive at the final hourly rate/ annual salary to be offered to the selected candidate. Factors include, but are not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, the selected candidate’s work experience, education and training, the work location as well as market and business considerations.

At this time, GEICO will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position.

The GEICO Pledge

• Great Company: Protecting customers through life’s twists and turns with innovation and integrity.
• Great Careers: Personalized development programs, mentorship, and certification assistance.
• Great Culture: Inclusive and collaborative culture rooted in shared success.
• Great Rewards: Competitive pay, benefits, and flexibility to support your well-being and future.

The equal employment opportunity policy of the GEICO Companies provides for a fair and equal employment opportunity for all associates and job applicants regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability or genetic information, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law. GEICO hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.

GEICO reasonably accommodates qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to receive equal employment opportunity and/or perform the essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship to the Company. This applies to all applicants and associates. GEICO also provides a work environment in which each associate is able to be productive and work to the best of their ability. We do not condone or tolerate an atmosphere of intimidation or harassment. We expect and require the cooperation of all associates in maintaining an atmosphere free from discrimination and harassment with mutual respect by and for all associates and applicants.