Head of Corporate Strategy & Development

00001 Kelly Services, Inc; United States; On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Kelly Services, Inc. seeks a strategic executive to lead enterprise strategy, corporate development, and execution across a global organization. You will shape the 3–5 year plan, drive market analysis, and align capital allocation with long-term growth objectives.

You will advise the CEO and Board, manage M&A processes, and lead cross-functional governance to drive profitable growth and strategic imperatives in a complex, matrixed environment.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in senior leadership in strategy/corporate development
• Proven track record leading complex deals from origination to close
• Experience advising C-suite and boards with credibility and impact
• Strong analytical and market analysis capabilities

Responsibilities

• Own the enterprise-wide strategic agenda and 3–5 year plan
• Oversee corporate development lifecycle from pipeline to post-merger integration
• Govern deal structuring, valuation, due diligence, and negotiation
• Lead integration planning, governance, and external advisor management
• Develop relationships ensuring alignment of corporate goals with external partners

Skills

Strategic planning

Corporate strategy

Corporate development

M&A governance

Board communication

Executive leadership

Financial acumen

Job description

Together we change lives.

Kelly is a team of experts driven by our belief that the impact of the right person in the right job is limitless.

No matter where you are in your career journey you can apply your knowledge and passion to move people, organizations, and communities forward. You'll have opportunities to grow your expertise and capabilities, both professionally and personally. As a team we celebrate inclusion, caring and collaboration. As a company we value your contribution, we work with integrity, and we always put people first - so your impact really will change lives.

Our Head of Corporate Strategy and Development is a senior strategy executive serving as Kelly's chief architect of enterprise direction and capital allocation - combining strategic planning and execution, corporate development leadership, and competitive intelligence and analysis governance under a single remit that reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

As Kelly enters a pivotal chapter in its 80th year, with new executive and Board leadership focused on profitable growth amid rapid industry change, this Vice President position will serve as a key strategic advisor to senior leadership and the Board. The role will lead long-range planning, corporate development, and enterprise execution, ensuring strategic priorities translate into measurable business outcomes while overseeing strategy, M&A, and enterprise management functions.

The successful candidate will bring a combination of top-tier strategic intellect, buy side and sell side transaction experience, executive presence and the ability to influence and mobilize a complex, matrixed enterprise behind a unified direction.

Responsibilities

Enterprise Strategy Leadership

Own the enterprise-wide strategic agenda, setting the 3-5 year strategic planning cycle and long-range plan (LRP)

Develop and track key initiatives and operational performance metrics that are critical to executing against to deliver the LRP

Drive competitive intelligence, market analysis, and scenario planning

Define organic growth priorities and capital allocation recommendations

Corporate Development Program Ownership

Oversee the full lifecycle from pipeline sourcing through post-merger integration

Govern deal structuring, valuation, due diligence, and negotiation

Lead integration planning and performance tracking; manage external advisors, banks, and divestiture activities

Manage matrixed governance model spanning all key functional areas and across the business units

Develop and manage critical external relationships ensuring strategic alignment of Kelly goals with their objectives

Strategic Counsel

Serve as primary strategic advisor to the CEO, CFO and executive leadership team; develop and curate Board-level strategy narrative and materials

Support investor relations and broader external messaging storyline and enterprise positioning

Facilitate executive team alignment on strategic priorities

Cross-Functional Governance

Chair enterprise-wide strategic initiative governance forums; broker alignment across BU leaders on shared priorities

Define and track KPIs for strategy execution and accountability

Partner with Finance, HR, and Operations on integrated planning

Strategic Partnerships & Alliances

Lead non-M&A strategic partnership development and negotiation

Identify and evaluate alliance opportunities that accelerate strategy; govern partnership performance and relationship management

Represent Kelly in external strategic forums and industry bodies

Key Success Measures

• Clearly defined, CEO- and Board-aligned 3 year strategic plan with measurable milestones, capital allocation guidance, and executive sponsorship in place
• CEO and Board confidence in the quality and cadence of strategic materials, reflected in Board feedback and executive team adoption of strategic governance frameworks
• Strong cross-functional relationships with BU presidents and functional leaders, evidenced by participation in and adoption of enterprise planning and governance processes
• Defined and robust Corporate Development processes including pipeline tracking and transparency, capital allocation priorities and opportunity evaluation criteria, due diligence and post deal integration
• Established and engaged partner portfolio for all facets of the strategic and corporate development lifecycles

Knowledge, Skills, and Experiences

• 15+ years of progressive senior leadership experience spanning corporate strategy, corporate development, and enterprise execution - ideally combining top-tier management consulting or investment banking with in-house strategy leadership at a publicly traded, global organization
• Proven track record leading complex deals from origination to close, with demonstrated ability to govern M&A at pace and build repeatable deal processes
• Experience building and leading enterprise planning processes and advising C-suite and Board-level stakeholders with credibility and impact
• Rare combination of strategic