Senior Director, Strategic Planning

Cox Communications, Inc.; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 299,000; Full time

Job summary

Cox Automotive is seeking a Senior Director of Strategic Planning to lead high-impact initiatives that define where to play, how to win, and what to do across the organization. You will partner with senior leaders, steer strategic engagements from definition to execution, and influence decisions through rigorous analysis and storytelling.

Required are 12+ years in strategy/consulting, strong analytical and communication skills, and the ability to travel up to 20%.

Qualifications

• BA/BS Degree required with 12+ years of relevant strategic planning and/or management consulting experience; MS degree with 10+ years or 16+ years in lieu of a degree.
• Strong analytical, financial modeling, research, organizational, and project management skills.
• Clear, concise written and verbal communication skills; ability to translate complex data into executive-ready documents and presentations.
• Ability to apply critical thinking and strategic perspective to ambiguous opportunities.
• Ability to influence leaders and serve as an internal thought partner on strategic issues.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration with leaders at all levels.
• Ability to translate market insights into compelling stories and actionable business plans.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, changing environment with urgency and adaptability.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Willingness to travel up to 20%.

Responsibilities

• Lead market, customer, competitive, portfolio, and profit pool assessments for Cox Automotive and its business groups.
• Apply strategic planning frameworks to identify opportunities and risks and recommend choices.
• Define and communicate strategies for where to play, how to win, and what to do across Cox Automotive and its business units.
• Use hypothesis-driven analysis to identify root causes and actionable insights.
• Build financial models and scenario analyses to support decisions.
• Synthesize research into concise recommendations for executives.
• Lead strategic projects with defined scope, objectives, and success measures.
• Advise senior leaders as a strategic thought partner and build enterprise-wide perspectives.
• Plan and facilitate executive planning sessions and workshops.
• Develop portfolio assessments and decision-support materials.
• Prepare executive communications and presentations to advance strategy.

Skills

Analytical skills

Financial modeling

Research

Organization

Project management

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Education

BA/BS Degree

MS degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Position Overview

The Senior Director, Strategic Planning leads high-impact projects and initiatives that help Cox Automotive determine where to play, how to win, and what to do. This role partners with senior leaders across the organization to prioritize growth opportunities, strengthen strategic decision-making, and help business and solution groups achieve their financial and strategic objectives. Working closely with the strategy team, operational vice presidents, and general managers, this leader will guide strategic planning engagements from definition through execution. The role requires strong strategy, analytics, financial modeling, project leadership, and communication skills, along with the ability to influence across functions and levels in a rapidly changing industry.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic planning and analysis

• Lead market, customer, competitive, portfolio, and profit pool assessments for Cox Automotive and its business groups.
• Apply strategic planning frameworks to evaluate internal and external factors, identify opportunities and risks, and recommend clear choices.
• Define and communicate strategies for where to play, how to win, and what to do across Cox Automotive and its business units.
• Use hypothesis-driven analysis to identify root causes, key drivers, critical assumptions, and actionable insights, even when data is incomplete.
• Build financial models and scenario analyses to evaluate sensitivities and support strategic, investment, and operational decisions.
• Synthesize complex research and analysis into concise recommendations and implications for executive audiences.

Leadership and influence

• Lead strategic projects by defining scope, objectives, success measures, workplans, and deliverables.
• Advise senior leaders and cross-functional teams as a strategic thought partner, bringing new insights and an enterprise-wide perspective.
• Build strong relationships across Cox Automotive and influence decisions while balancing enterprise and business unit priorities.
• Guide solution group strategy leaders in developing business unit plans, strategic assessments, and financial analyses.
• Plan and facilitate productive executive planning sessions, ideation workshops, and decision-making meetings.

Execution and communication

• Develop portfolio assessments, total addressable market analyses, profit pool analyses, and other decision-support materials.
• Prepare executive communications, meeting materials, presentations, and summaries that advance the strategic planning process.
• Partner across functions to gather expertise, align stakeholders, and support the execution of strategic initiatives.
• Support industry- and customer-facing strategy communications.
• Contribute to budget planning and provide analysis that supports investment decisions and operational efficiency.
• Gather, analyze, and communicate marketplace and industry trends across the organization.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS Degree required with 12+ years of relevant strategic planning and/or management consulting experience required. Candidate can also have an MS degree and 10+ years of experience or 16+ years of experience in lieu of a degree.
• Strong analytical, financial modeling, research, organizational, and project management skills.
• Clear, concise written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex data into executive-ready documents and presentations.
• Ability to apply critical thinking, sound judgment, and strategic perspective to ambiguous or emerging opportunities.
• Ability to respectfully challenge perspectives, make recommendations, and articulate practical next steps.
• Demonstrated ability to establish credibility, influence leaders, and serve as an internal thought partner on strategic and business issues.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively with leaders at all levels.
• Ability to translate broad concepts and market insights into compelling stories, recommendations, and actionable business plans.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, changing environment with a sense of urgency and adaptability.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to travel as needed, up to 20%.

Drug Testing

To be employed in this role, you'll need to clear a pre-employment drug test. Cox Automotive does not currently administer a pre-employment drug test for marijuana for this position. However, we are a drug-free workplace, so the possession, use or being under the influence of drugs illegal under federal or state law during work hours, on company property and/or in company vehicles is prohibited.

Compensation

Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $179,600.00 - $299,400.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.

Benefits

The Company offers eligible employees the flexibility to take as much vacation with pay as they deem consistent with their duties, the company’s needs, and its obligations; seven paid holidays throughout the calendar year; and up to 160 hours of paid wellness annually for their own wellness or that of family members. Employees are also eligible for additional paid time off in the form of bereavement leave, time off to vote, jury duty leave, volunteer time off, military leave, and parental leave.

Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship. EOE, including disability/vets