Manager, Strategy & Corporate Development

James Hardie Inc.; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 126,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and bonus potential

Paid time off

401(k) with match

Employee stock purchase plan (ESP)

Wellness programs

Parental leave

Job summary

James Hardie Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, IL, seeks a Manager of Strategy & Corporate Development to lead high-impact strategic analyses and drive inorganic growth through M&A. You will collaborate with senior leaders across corporate functions and business units to translate insights into actionable roadmaps and long-term value creation.

Ideal candidates bring corporate strategy, management consulting, investment banking, or corporate finance experience in fast-paced environments,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a related field is required.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in management consulting, investment banking, private equity, corporate strategy, or a high-growth corporate environment.
• Demonstrated success supporting complex, cross-functional initiatives and delivering measurable business impact.
• Strong M&A experience, including support for due diligence and integration.
• Exceptional analytical, strategic thinking, and financial modeling skills with structured problem-solving.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to communicate effectively with senior leadership; professional discretion.
• Collaborative, entrepreneurial, and resilient mindset; bias for action in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.
• Experience in enterprise strategic planning, competitive analysis, and executive-level presentation development.
• Experience supporting M&A transactions or strategic investments.
• Prior experience in building materials, manufacturing, or industrials is a plus.
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint; familiarity with PitchBook, Capital IQ, or similar tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise strategy and long-range planning initiatives.
• Define and conduct analyses to assess market attractiveness and growth opportunities.
• Synthesize insights and present recommendations to senior leadership.
• Coordinate leadership materials, strategy decks, and scorecards.
• Maintain internal strategy repositories and templates.

Skills

Analytical skills

Financial modeling

Strategic thinking

Executive communication

M&A experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or related field

Tools

PitchBook

Capital IQ

Job description

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Chicago, IL, US, 60601

Hybrid

James Hardie is the industry leader in exterior home and outdoor living solutions, with a portfolio that includes fiber cement, fiber gypsum, composite and PVC decking and railing products. Our family of trusted brands includes Hardie®, TimberTech®, AZEK® Exteriors, Versatex®, fermacell®, and StruXure®.
With over 8,000 employees and our U.S. operating entities headquartered in Chicago, we boast 31 operating sites, 6 recycling facilities, and 6 research and development centers globally. Powered by a dynamic workforce, we’re united by our purpose of Building a Better Future for All™ through sustainable innovation, a Zero Harm culture, and a commitment to empowering our people and communities.
For more information, visit www.jameshardie.com .

The Manager, Strategy & Corporate Development is a key member of the newly formed strategy team, partnering with the organization leaders to drive growth and long-term value through world-class strategic execution. The Manager will lead high-impact strategic analyses and initiatives, support inorganic growth through M&A, and contribute to key transformation priorities — collaborating closely with corporate functions and business units to identify, evaluate, and pursue opportunities that enhance long-term value creation.

This position is ideal for a high-performing individual with experience in corporate strategy, management consulting, investment banking, or corporate finance who thrives in fast-paced environments, embraces ambiguity, and brings a proven ability to influence senior leaders and translate insights into action.

What You’ll Do:

Enterprise Strategy & Long-Range Planning

• Support enterprise-wide strategic initiatives — including corporate strategy, strategic planning, and portfolio strategy
• Build understanding of market trends, headwinds, tailwinds, risks, and competition; prioritize and weigh alternative courses of action to support senior decision-making
• Define, lead, and conduct analyses to assess the attractiveness of existing, adjacent, and white-space markets, customers, and growth vectors
• Synthesize findings and present recommendations clearly and effectively to senior leadership, translating strategic priorities into actionable roadmaps with clarity of vision and adherence to timelines
• Coordinate preparation and review of leadership meeting materials, executive strategy decks, scorecards, and strategic planning outputs
• Own and maintain internal strategy repositories, templates, and supporting materials

M&A & Corporate Development

• Support end-to-end M&A processes, including target identification, evaluation, due diligence, deal execution, and integration planning
• Support the evaluation of acquisition opportunities through primary and secondary research, financial analysis, and assessment of strategic fit and value creation potential
• Identify new opportunities for inorganic growth (acquisitions, licensing, partnerships) and support development of relationships with external industry participants
• Assist with target screening, market mapping, and strategic fit assessments aligned with long-term growth priorities
• Coordinate diligence efforts across internal functions and external advisors
• Support preparation of investment committee materials, board presentations, and transaction-related communications
• Develop fact-based, economically driven, outside‑in perspectives on new and adjacent market spaces; identify key market trends and value chain dynamics

Strategic Projects & Cross-Functional Execution

• Support cross-functional transformation programs and large-scale change management initiatives across the global organization
• Independently manage strategic analyses, including scoping, planning, and conducting research to generate actionable insights for executive decision‑making
• Drive collaboration and consensus with business, sales, and operations leaders to support strategic decisions and execution against strategic plans; identify and drive linkages across functions
• Help ensure clarity of vision, adherence to timelines, and alignment of people and talent to key strategic activities

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in management consulting, investment banking, private equity, corporate strategy, or a high‑growth corporate environment
• Demonstrated success supporting complex, cross‑functional initiatives and delivering measurable business impact
• Strong M&A experience, including support for due diligence and integration
• Exceptional analytical, strategic thinking, and financial modeling skills with structured and logical problem‑solving ability
• Strong executive presence with the ability to communicate effectively with senior leadership; high degree of professionalism, judgment, and discretion
• Collaborative, entrepreneurial, and resilient mindset; strong bias for action in fast-paced, ambiguous environments
• Experience in enterprise strategic planning, competitive analysis, and executive‑level presentation development
• Experience supporting M&A transactions or strategic investments
• Prior experience in building materials, manufacturing, or industrials is a plus, but not required
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills; experience with PitchBook, Capital IQ, or equivalent research and analytics platforms

What You’ll Receive:

As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay scale for this position is $125,900K to $157,400K. Placement in the range depends on several factors such as experience, skills, geography and internal equity and may change over time. This position qualifies for benefits and you will be eligible to participate in a bonus plan.

At James Hardie, we recognize that our success depends on our people. We've worked hard to build a generous and competitive benefits program that demonstrates our commitment to our employees.

• Compensation: competitive salary and bonus eligibility
• Paid Time Off: vacation and company holidays
• Retirement: 401(k) with 6% match
• Investments: Employee Stock Purchase plan (ESP)
• Work-Life Balance: parental leave, wellness programs

James Hardie Building Products Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, veteran's status, marital status, pregnancy, disability, or any other basis protected by law.
James Hardie will comply with any applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in accordance with its plans and policies.
The position responsibilities outlined above are in no way to be construed as all encompassing. Other duties, responsibilities, and qualifications may be required and/or assigned as necessary.