Strategic Planning Manager

the USO; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 84,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

401k match

Education reimbursement

Training opportunities

Job summary

The USO in Arlington, VA seeks an experienced strategy professional to help shape and execute enterprise strategic planning. You will distill inputs into clear recommendations, draft executive materials, and support senior leaders across multiple functions.

Role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, rigorous analysis, and timely decision support in a fast-paced nonprofit environment. In-person collaboration with mission-driven teams is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; nonprofit management, business administration, strategic management or related field preferred.
• Advanced degree or professional certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support development of the enterprise strategic plan including research analysis and synthesis of inputs.
• Organize cross functional inputs into summaries and draft recommendations for leadership.
• Prepare executive briefings and strategy documents for VP review.
• Identify themes and decision points within strategy work.
• Conduct research to support priorities and tradeoff discussions.
• Assist with business case drafting for major initiatives.
• Track progress and risks across workstreams.
• Develop high quality executive materials for senior leadership meetings.

Skills

Strategic planning

Program management

Analytical thinking

Executive communications

Cross-functional collaboration

High attention to detail

Project coordination

Decision support

Stakeholder engagement

Prioritization skills

Professional discretion

Education

Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management or related field

Advanced degree or professional certification preferred

Job description

Why join our team

With a mission that spans the globe the USO provides a rewarding and fulfilling work environment Our team is exceptional and we offer generous paid time off including volunteer days and military leave We have a remarkable 401k match comprehensive benefits and opportunities for training and education reimbursement Our team members are passionate about putting the mission first and we have a lot of fun while doing it Working for the USO isnt just a job its a calling and we believe in doing what you love and loving what you do A Certified Great Place to Work Dont just take our word for itour people have spoken According to the Great Place to Work 20252026 survey 96 feel good about how we support the community94 are proud to tell others they work at the USO92 say their work has special meaningits not just a job91 felt welcomed from day oneOver 88 agree all employees are treated fairly regardless of race or genderThis position reports to the Strategy Innovation and Program Management Office SIPMO and supports enterprise strategic planning execution tracking and decision support

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the development of the USOs enterprise strategic plan including research analysis and synthesis of inputs
• Help organize cross functional inputs into clear summaries themes and draft recommendations for review by leadership
• Prepare draft materials including executive briefings board and committee materials strategy documents and presentations for review and refinement by the VP of SIPMO
• Executive briefingsBoardcommittee materialsStrategy documents and presentations
• Identify key themes trade offs and decision points within strategy work
• Conduct research and analysis to support strategic priorities program design decisions and enterprise tradeoff discussions
• Help clarify ambiguous problems by organizing information identifying options and outlining actionable next steps for review
• Assist with research analysis and drafting to support business cases for major initiatives
• Support assigned tasks related to enterprise strategic initiatives and cross functional workstreams
• Track progress identify risks and escalation issues as needed
• Ensure alignment between strategy execution and operational realities
• Contribute to development of initiative charters workplans and deliverables
• Partner with leaders across Mission Delivery Development Finance IT and other functions
• Facilitate alignment across stakeholders and ensure inputs are incorporated into strategy work
• Support structured engagement processes eg leadership sessions working groups interviews
• Develop high quality executive ready materials to supportSenior leadership meetingsBoard and committee briefingsStrategic updates and communications
• Ensure materials are clear concise and decision oriented
• Support the VP of SIPMO in establishing and maintaining the operating cadence for strategy and execution includingWeekly workstream trackingProgress reportingKey meetings and decision forums
• Help ensure follow through on action items and commitments across workstreams
• Support high priority time sensitive strategic initiatives led by executive leadership
• Conduct rapid analysis and develop recommendations under tight timelines
• Contribute to CEO level materials and decision support as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Job Specifications

• 5 years of directly related experience
• Bachelors degree required nonprofit management business administration strategic management program management or related field preferred
• Advanced degree in related fieldrelevant professional certification preferred
• Strong structured problem solving and analytical thinking
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to synthesize large amounts of information into clear insights
• Strong organizational and project management capabilities
• Ability to operate in ambiguous fast paced environments
• High attention to detail and quality of output
• Highly self directed and proactive
• Strong judgment and prioritization skills
• Comfortable preparing materials and information for review by senior leaders
• Effective collaborator across functions and teams
• Able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• High level of professionalism discretion and integrity
• Must be a strong advocate for the USOs mission

Salary

This salary range for this position is 84000 110000 To support pay transparency this posting includes the anticipated base salary range for this role Compensation is determined based on several factors including geographic location relevant experience specialized skills certifications and overall alignment with the position requirements Our compensation practices are designed to ensure market competitiveness and internal equity across roles and levels

Location

This is an in person position located in Arlington VA

Background Check

Resume and cover letter are required for full considerationBackground check education criminal and driving required

EEO/DEI

Over 88 agree all employees are treated fairly regardless of race or gender

Employee Feedback

The organization truly cares about the people who work here There is great consideration given and extended in the following areas organizational core values for all work life balance impact we can actually see and even experience as a staff member the feeling of making an impact is priceless autonomy with respect to current position within the organizationEveryone is friendly and easy to talk to We collaborate well together and share ideas and interests to create fun activities for our overall goal in the community I couldnt think of a better organization to work forThe mission alone provides a positive and meaningful purpose where people should want to work and be a part of Most of the people who work for the USO and volunteer for the USO have giving hearts and want to make a difference This also makes the organization a place where people would want to workThe mission and opportunities to make a Difference are amazing There is no doubt that the USO is one of the most forward facing frontline serving nonprofits that I know of