Director of Strategic Business Operations

Position : Director of Strategic Business Operations Location : Cleveland, OH

Job Id : 797 # of Openings : 0 Position Title : Director of Strategic Business Operations Position Location : Cleveland, OH, Open to remote / hybrid candidates Business Unit : Team Wendy Position Overview : We are seeking a Director of Strategy and Business Operations who will be responsible for developing and executing strategic initiatives and key programs within the Head Protection organization while aligning with the Group's strategy.

The Director of Strategy and Business Operations will drive operational efficiency and organizational growth by developing and implementing strategies and programs, delivering programs on time and within budget to support strategic initiatives, and leading all mergers and acquisitions activities.

This role involves working closely with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to align business strategies with operational plans, ensuring efficient and effective achievement of company objectives, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and high performance.

This position will report directly to the President of Head Protection, SBU. Key Responsibilities :

• Developing and implementing the SBU business and operating models aligned to the Head Protection Group.
• Collaborating with the executive leadership team and cross-functionally to implement SBU-wide strategic objectives and monitor progress in implementing reporting software & tools.
• Driving transformative change at an increased pace across the SBU that drives operational efficiency and / or organizational growth.
• Supporting and promoting business enterprise initiatives, including continuous improvement and process streamlining.
• Interacting with senior and executive level management (as needed) regarding strategy, programs, expected business outcome, and contract / engagement administration (SOW or internal projects).
• Establish and Lead the Program Management Office (PMO) team in the delivery of complex strategic product development projects, bids, and key internal / external programs, such as : Company and Customer-funded (organic) new technology / product development and transformation initiatives.

DoD / Customer-driven NPI / productionzation and customer relationship management.

Provide mentorship and training to individuals throughout the organization, increasing bench depth and capability within core departments and fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment that promotes a culture of transparency, accountability, and performance excellence.

Establish and direct cross-disciplinary teams, directing key programs and delegating identified priorities to a team of well-trained and effective PMs.

Ensure successful implementation of PMO resources / tools aligned to Avon’s SIA process, including OKRs and agreed meeting cadences.

Establish project management governance and tools that are aligned with the group’s business operating processes.

• Manage a comprehensive project portfolio encompassing budgets, resource allocations, and costs with appropriate reporting and overall accountability for performance (through key performance indicators, risk management, and metrics) while aligning reporting to Avon Group processes.
• Support growth initiatives by : Providing support and leadership for major commercial bid proposals. Implementing Supporting the evaluation and implementation of enhanced NPI processes that evolve the existing stage gate process and ensure continuous improvement.
• Drive Head Protection SBU partnerships and future mergers and acquisitions activities, including : Identifying, evaluating, and executing M&A opportunities that support and align with the company’s strategic objectives.

Leading a cross-functional team through all phases of the M&A process, including target identification, due diligence, valuation, negotiation, and post-merger integration.

Minimum Qualifications :

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 7 years' experience in Project Management.
• Minimum of 7 years' experience in corporate strategy, M&A, consulting, or related field
• Proven track record in delivering increasingly complex transformation projects.
• Experience in creating and directing a Project or Program Management Office (PMO), preferably in a corporate, government, and technical product development environment.
• Strong leadership and demonstrated capability to mentor junior team members.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to influence others and perform well in a matrix environment.
• Exemplary presentation skills at all levels of a global business.
• Commitment to excellence through continuous process improvement.
• Superior business and financial acumen, organizational awareness, and change management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Preferred Qualifications :

• MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred.
• Certified Project Management Professional preferred.
• International product development experience within the US and UK.
• Experience in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or products requiring 3rd party certification.
• Experience in the field of military / law enforcement in global markets.
• Experience managing a team.

Key Relationships :

• Internal : Business Development & Sales, Futures, Commercial Sales, Engineering, Finance, Quality, Product Management, Legal, Contracts, IT and Marketing & Group Exec
• External : Military program managers, key customers and end users, agents and applicable distribution, regulatory and certification agencies

About Avon Protection : We design and produce life-critical personal protection solutions for the world’s militaries and first responders.

With a portfolio that includes Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear ( CBRN ), protection. We do this through our two brands, Avon Protection and Team Wendy.

Our mission is to provide unparalleled protection for those who protect us, giving them the confidence to tackle challenging situations and helping them get home safe.

At Avon Protection, we recognize that our success relies on the collective efforts of our talented team. As an organization, we welcome individuals who embody our #FIERCE company values - fearlessness, integrity, excellence, resilience, collaboration, and the ability to execute. What We Offer :

• Flexible Schedule
• Competitive Compensation Package
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• 401k Matching
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Learning and Development Initiatives
30+ days ago