Strategy Director

This review provides an overview of the Strategy Director opportunity, designed to help potential candidates understand the scope and advantages of this role. We will highlight key aspects that can guide your career path and inform your decision-making.

About the Opportunity

The Strategy Director role is a significant opportunity for a motivated and experienced professional to influence and drive growth strategy across a portfolio of solutions, with a specialized focus on the Academic and Government segments. This position is ideal for individuals who possess strong strategic consulting acumen and a deep understanding of the Research & Development landscape. You will be instrumental in defining market opportunities, shaping product development, and accelerating growth in a dynamic, data-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities and Their Career Impact

• Strategy Development & Execution: You will lead the creation of comprehensive portfolio and product-level strategies. This responsibility offers a chance to hone your strategic thinking and execution skills, impacting the direction of key solutions within the Academic and Government sectors.
• Portfolio and Product Strategy & Roadmap: By guiding the Product Leadership Team, you will ensure product roadmaps are aligned with overarching portfolio strategies and market demands. This offers a direct influence on product evolution and the chance to build strong collaborative relationships with product development teams.
• Competitive Intelligence: Continuously analyzing the competitive landscape to identify threats and opportunities (including potential partnerships and M&A) will allow you to develop and implement strategies that strengthen the company's market position. This fosters sharp analytical skills and a proactive, market-aware mindset.
• Market Assessment & Opportunity Identification: Conducting in-depth market research to uncover new market needs and target them with existing or new solutions is a core aspect of this role. This will sharpen your ability to identify and capitalize on emerging trends and growth avenues.
• Lead Strategic Initiatives & Projects: Leading growth-focused initiatives such as opportunity assessments, M&A screenings, and strategic partnerships provides hands-on experience in driving complex projects and demonstrating leadership in strategic decision-making.
• Stakeholder Management & Communication: Building strong relationships and effectively communicating strategic recommendations to senior leadership, cross-functional teams, and external stakeholders is crucial. This will enhance your communication, influencing, and leadership capabilities.

What Makes This Role Stand Out for Your Career

This role offers a unique platform to:

• Shape the Future of Solutions: Directly influence the strategic direction and growth of important solutions within the Academic and Government sectors.
• Leverage and Expand Consulting Skills: Apply your strategic consulting experience in a dynamic in-house environment, gaining practical experience in driving business outcomes.
• Deepen Industry Knowledge: Develop a profound understanding of the R&D landscape, academic research, and government initiatives, particularly within data-driven and software-focused products.
• Drive Impact in a Data-Driven World: Work at the intersection of strategy, data, and technology, contributing to innovative solutions that advance science and improve health outcomes.
• Career Growth and Development: The company emphasizes a commitment to employee well-being and professional development, offering various resources to support your long-term goals.

Key Considerations for Candidates

To excel in this role, candidates should consider the following:

• Experience: Director/Engagement Manager-level strategy consulting experience from a top-tier firm or a strong in-house strategy team is highly valued. Experience in evaluating and developing strategies for software and/or data-driven products is also a significant advantage.
• Skills: Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills are essential for structuring ambiguous problems, synthesizing information, and driving outcomes.
• Technical Acumen (Beneficial): While not always mandatory, experience with advanced databases, AI/ML applications, or SaaS models can be a strong differentiator, especially given the data-driven nature of the role.
• Educational Background: A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required, with an advanced degree (MBA, MSc, PhD) being desirable.
• Execution and Collaboration: A proven ability to drive execution across multi-disciplinary teams in a collaborative setting is key.

Work Environment and Benefits

The organization is committed to fostering a healthy work/life balance and offers a supportive environment with numerous wellbeing initiatives. Key benefits that can support your career and personal life include:

• Flexible working hours and the option to work from anywhere, promoting productivity and personal well-being.
• Comprehensive benefits such as a pension plan, generous vacation entitlement, and sabbatical leave.
• Support for personal and professional growth through study assistance, online training, and career roadshows.
• Extensive parental and family care leave to support life's important moments.
• Additional perks like a Personal Choice budget, employee discounts, and wellbeing programs.

This Strategy Director position presents an exciting prospect for ambitious professionals looking to make a significant impact within a leading global information and analytics provider. It's an opportunity to contribute to advancing science and healthcare while growing your career in a forward-thinking organization.