Strategy Manager

CDW; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 125,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

CDW is seeking a Strategy Manager to partner with leaders across Finance, Operations, Product, and Commercial to drive strategic planning and execution. The role focuses on structuring complex questions, analyzing data, and delivering clear recommendations that influence decisions.

The ideal candidate will have strong communication, the ability to navigate ambiguity, and experience building executive-ready presentations and business cases.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience structuring complex problems and developing clear recommendations.
• Strong written and verbal communication across all levels, including senior leadership.
• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders across many departments.
• Analytical skills to interpret data and translate insights into actions.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and drive work to completion.
• Comfort with ambiguity and structured thinking to define priorities.
• Experience using PowerPoint and Excel for executive-ready materials.
• Experience in a large corporate or strategy-focused environment.

Responsibilities

• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to support strategy initiatives and key projects.
• Break down complex questions into structured workplans, analyses, and recommendations.
• Analyze data, identify trends, and translate insights into decisions.
• Develop professional presentations, memos, and communications for senior leaders.
• Gather inputs from Finance, Operations, Product, Commercial, Marketing, and others.
• Facilitate working sessions and updates to drive alignment and progress.
• Support development of business cases, scenario analyses, and market assessments.
• Communicate key insights clearly and manage timelines to completion.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Communication

Data analysis

Presentation skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor degree or higher

5+ years in strategy/related field OR 9 years experience

Tools

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

Description

The Strategy Manager supports strategic planning, business analysis, and cross-functional execution across key organizational priorities. This role partners with stakeholders across multiple departments to structure complex business questions, analyze data, identify trends, and translate insights into clear recommendations that support decision-making. This individual will help structure ambiguous business questions, develop clear workplans, gather and synthesize inputs from cross-functional partners, and communicate recommendations through presentations, written updates, and verbal discussions. The Strategy Manager will work closely with leaders and business partners to drive work forward, support alignment, and ensure strategy deliverables are completed with accuracy, clarity, and pace. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem solver with strong communication skills, sound business judgment, and the ability to navigate ambiguity while driving work to completion.

What you'll do

• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to support strategy initiatives, business planning efforts, and key projects aligned to department and organizational priorities.
• Break down complex or ambiguous business questions into structured workplans, analyses, and recommendations.
• Analyze data, identify trends, and synthesize insights to support business decisions and strategic recommendations.
• Develop clear, professional presentations, memos, and written communications for a variety of audiences, including senior leaders and executive stakeholders.
• Gather inputs from teams such as Finance, Operations, Product, Commercial, Marketing, and other business functions to help inform recommendations.
• Facilitate working sessions, project discussions, and stakeholder updates to drive alignment and move work to completion.
• Support the development of business cases, scenario analysis, market assessments, and other strategic deliverables.
• Distinguish key insights from available data and clearly communicate what the analysis supports.
• Manage priorities, timelines, and deliverables to ensure work is completed accurately and efficiently.
• Build strong working relationships across departments and act as a trusted partner in helping teams solve business challenges.

What we expect of you

• Bachelor degree and 5 years of experience in strategy, business analysis, consulting, finance, operations, corporate planning, or a related business function OR
• 9 years of experience in strategy, business analysis, consulting, finance, operations, corporate planning, or a related business function

Preferred skills, experience, and qualities needed

• Demonstrated experience structuring complex problems, analyzing information, and developing clear business recommendations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and professionally across all levels of the organization, including senior and executive leadership.
• Proven ability to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders across multiple departments.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and translate insights into actionable recommendations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, drive work to completion, and adapt to changing business needs.
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of responsibilities, navigate ambiguity, and work independently with appropriate guidance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including PowerPoint and Excel.
• Experience working in a large corporate environment or on a strategy-focused team.
• Experience in management consulting, corporate strategy, business operations, finance, or a related strategic function.
• Foundational understanding of finance, business metrics, P&L concepts, or business case development.
• Experience developing executive‑ready presentations, business updates, or strategic recommendations.
• Strong planning and execution skills, with the ability to demonstrate a strategic thought process.
• Ability to influence, collaborate, and build trusted relationships across teams.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Comfortable working through ambiguity and bringing structure to undefined or evolving priorities.
• Adaptable, coachable, and eager to learn and grow within the role.
• Experience in B2B technology, commercial strategy, operations, or an adjacent industry preferred.

Pay

Pay range: $125,000 - $174,600 depending on experience and skill set

Annual bonus target of 10% subject to terms and conditions of plan

Benefits overview: https://cdw.benefit-info.com/

Salary ranges may be subject to geographic differentials

CDW is committed to being an AI‑fluent organization

We're looking for people who bring curiosity, a learner's mindset, and a willingness to engage with ever‑evolving technology and tools. We value adopting AI as a partner, openness to experimentation, and a shared interest in learning together on AI. Our goal is to create a culture where AI enhances‑not replaces‑human creativity and decision‑making. You don't need to be an expert today; what matters is your readiness to explore, adapt, and grow with us as we integrate AI responsibly and effectively into our work.

Additionally, CDW is committed to fostering an equitable, transparent, and respectful hiring process for all applicants. During our application process, our goal is to understand your experience, strengths, skills, and qualifications. As an AI forward company, we see AI not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for new ways of thinking, creating, and communicating. We encourage candidates to embrace an AI mindset, one that's curious, adaptive, and ready to explore what's possible. We welcome thoughtful use of AI to expand your perspective and elevate how you share your story, while ensuring your application remains rooted in your own background, judgment, and voice.

About Us

CDW is a Fortune 500 technology solutions provider that helps businesses, government, education, and healthcare organizations achieve what's possible through technology. What makes CDW different isn't just what we do-it's how we do it. At CDW we act as one-building trust, speaking candidly, and working together to achieve more. We play to win-focusing on what matters most and delivering for our customers. And we think forward-staying curious, moving fast, and continuously learning. We believe meaningful work happens when people feel supported, heard, and empowered to contribute. That's why we think of ourselves as coworkers, not just employees-working together to solve complex challenges and deliver real impact for our customers and communities.

As a fullstack, fulllifecycle technology partner, CDW brings deep expertise, strong relationships, and broad industry knowledge to help turn ideas into outcomes. When you join CDW, you become part of a collaborative environment where your work matters, your growth is supported, and your contributions help shape what's next.

Together, we deliver the full promise of what technology can do.

Together, we Make Amazing Happen.

CDW is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by state and local law.