Cox Enterprises
Job Description
The Strategic Planning Director plays a critical role in identifying new opportunities and crafting long‑term strategic plans for products and capabilities. By understanding clients’ top needs, this leader will position Cox Automotive (CAI) to drive value in the marketplace. This role requires direct interaction with customers, external business partners, and cross‑functional internal teams to shape the strategic direction of the business. The Director will collaborate closely with Cox Automotive’s Executive leaders, business stakeholders, product teams, and corporate strategy teams. Through this collaborative approach, the Director will ensure alignment and shared methodologies in the design and development of our products.
The ideal candidate will possess a robust strategic formation background, demonstrating the ability to analyze market trends, assess competitive landscapes, and develop actionable strategies that propel the business forward. This leader will also be an expert at leveraging insights to inform product strategy plans, guiding teams through complex decision‑making processes, and effectively communicating strategic initiatives across all levels of the organization.
Experience in direct people management is not required for this role; it will involve a high level of executive visibility and a wide range of influence with cross‑functional teams across all our Cox Automotive brands. (Individual Contributor Role)
Responsibilities
Collaborating with executive leaders, cross‑functional partners, and business stakeholders to craft and refine product strategies that drive company and client growth.
Engaging with business leaders to analyze and uphold core revenue streams through alignment with foundational business strategies.
Conducting market and opportunity analysis to identify new growth avenues and assess potential for new product offerings and lines of business.
Performing the full range of analysis required to ensure proposed opportunities align with strategy and have the potential of enhancing long‑term success from multiple perspectives, including technology, products, and services.
Contributing to and advising management on the identification, evaluation, and execution of potential acquisitions, partnerships, alliances, joint ventures, and/or internal start‑up opportunities.
Directing the various workstreams to understand how initiatives may impact and benefit the business.
Aligning strategies across Cox Auto and ensuring they contribute to shared end‑state and market‑oriented outcomes.
Coaching product leaders (AVPs, Directors, and Sr. Managers), helping them lift out of the tactical to ensure their product lines have/are aligned to a strategic north star that is durable.
Developing and sustaining deep subject‑matter expertise in the evolving landscape of auto retailing, wholesaling, ownership, and fleet maintenance.
Identifying opportunities to consolidate /coordinate capabilities that cross‑solution sets/delivery streams and build consensus to shift how we deliver value as we advance.
Turning vision and concept into actionable, feasible plans in partnership with others, being indispensable in developing winning product strategies.
Qualifications
Analytical Thinking : Demonstrates advanced analytical skills to diagnose organizational challenges, identify root causes, and propose viable solutions.
Business Acumen : Understands economic, financial, and industry trends to enhance organizational performance.
Consulting : Applies knowledge of consulting techniques to guide both internal and external clients.
Financial Acumen : Utilizes financial analysis tools and techniques to assess alternative scenarios and outcomes.
Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline and 10 years’ experience in a related field (or equivalent combinations such as master’s degree with 8 years, Ph.D. with 5 years, 14 years, etc.).
Experience in automotive, strategy consulting, or technology consulting.
Strong strategic‑formation background – must have experience developing long‑term strategies or initiatives and transforming ideas into actionable plans.
Experience in market analysis, data‑driven decision‑making, and performance metrics; proficiency in data‑analysis tools and modeling.
Ability to adapt strategy based on real‑time feedback and changing conditions.
Ability to identify adequate resources—financial, human, and technological—that will support execution.
Proficiency in data‑analysis tools and methodologies to support strategic decision‑making.
Proven ability to lead using influence within highly complex, matrixed teams.
Proven ability to deliver high‑impact presentations to C‑suite executives, clearly articulating the product vision, strategic alignment with corporate goals, and expected ROI, using data visualizations.
Capable of traveling up to 25% of the time.
Preferred
Advanced degrees (e.g., MBA) or relevant certifications.
Top‑tier strategy consulting background.
People‑leader experience (leading cross‑functional teams).
Corporate strategy experience.
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.
Benefits The Company offers eligible employees 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.
About Us Through groundbreaking technology and a commitment to stellar experiences for drivers and dealers alike, Cox Automotive employees are transforming the way the world buys, owns, sells — or simply uses — cars. Cox Automotive employees get to work on iconic consumer brands like Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book and industry‑leading dealer‑facing companies like vAuto and Manheim, all while enjoying the people‑centered atmosphere that is central to our life at Cox. Benefits of working at Cox may include health care insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement planning (401(k)), and paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, flexible vacation/wellness days, and/or PTO). For more details on what benefits you may be offered, visit our benefits page.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Cox is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer — All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment without regard to that individual’s age, race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law. Cox provides reasonable accommodations when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with disability, unless such accommodations would cause an undue hardship. Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The ideal candidate will possess a robust strategic formation background, demonstrating the ability to analyze market trends, assess competitive landscapes, and develop actionable strategies that propel the business forward. This leader will also be an expert at leveraging insights to inform product strategy plans, guiding teams through complex decision‑making processes, and effectively communicating strategic initiatives across all levels of the organization.
Experience in direct people management is not required for this role; it will involve a high level of executive visibility and a wide range of influence with cross‑functional teams across all our Cox Automotive brands. (Individual Contributor Role)
Responsibilities
Collaborating with executive leaders, cross‑functional partners, and business stakeholders to craft and refine product strategies that drive company and client growth.
Engaging with business leaders to analyze and uphold core revenue streams through alignment with foundational business strategies.
Conducting market and opportunity analysis to identify new growth avenues and assess potential for new product offerings and lines of business.
Performing the full range of analysis required to ensure proposed opportunities align with strategy and have the potential of enhancing long‑term success from multiple perspectives, including technology, products, and services.
Contributing to and advising management on the identification, evaluation, and execution of potential acquisitions, partnerships, alliances, joint ventures, and/or internal start‑up opportunities.
Directing the various workstreams to understand how initiatives may impact and benefit the business.
Aligning strategies across Cox Auto and ensuring they contribute to shared end‑state and market‑oriented outcomes.
Coaching product leaders (AVPs, Directors, and Sr. Managers), helping them lift out of the tactical to ensure their product lines have/are aligned to a strategic north star that is durable.
Developing and sustaining deep subject‑matter expertise in the evolving landscape of auto retailing, wholesaling, ownership, and fleet maintenance.
Identifying opportunities to consolidate /coordinate capabilities that cross‑solution sets/delivery streams and build consensus to shift how we deliver value as we advance.
Turning vision and concept into actionable, feasible plans in partnership with others, being indispensable in developing winning product strategies.
Qualifications
Analytical Thinking : Demonstrates advanced analytical skills to diagnose organizational challenges, identify root causes, and propose viable solutions.
Business Acumen : Understands economic, financial, and industry trends to enhance organizational performance.
Consulting : Applies knowledge of consulting techniques to guide both internal and external clients.
Financial Acumen : Utilizes financial analysis tools and techniques to assess alternative scenarios and outcomes.
Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline and 10 years’ experience in a related field (or equivalent combinations such as master’s degree with 8 years, Ph.D. with 5 years, 14 years, etc.).
Experience in automotive, strategy consulting, or technology consulting.
Strong strategic‑formation background – must have experience developing long‑term strategies or initiatives and transforming ideas into actionable plans.
Experience in market analysis, data‑driven decision‑making, and performance metrics; proficiency in data‑analysis tools and modeling.
Ability to adapt strategy based on real‑time feedback and changing conditions.
Ability to identify adequate resources—financial, human, and technological—that will support execution.
Proficiency in data‑analysis tools and methodologies to support strategic decision‑making.
Proven ability to lead using influence within highly complex, matrixed teams.
Proven ability to deliver high‑impact presentations to C‑suite executives, clearly articulating the product vision, strategic alignment with corporate goals, and expected ROI, using data visualizations.
Capable of traveling up to 25% of the time.
Preferred
Advanced degrees (e.g., MBA) or relevant certifications.
Top‑tier strategy consulting background.
People‑leader experience (leading cross‑functional teams).
Corporate strategy experience.
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.
Benefits The Company offers eligible employees 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.
About Us Through groundbreaking technology and a commitment to stellar experiences for drivers and dealers alike, Cox Automotive employees are transforming the way the world buys, owns, sells — or simply uses — cars. Cox Automotive employees get to work on iconic consumer brands like Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book and industry‑leading dealer‑facing companies like vAuto and Manheim, all while enjoying the people‑centered atmosphere that is central to our life at Cox. Benefits of working at Cox may include health care insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement planning (401(k)), and paid days off (sick leave, parental leave, flexible vacation/wellness days, and/or PTO). For more details on what benefits you may be offered, visit our benefits page.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Cox is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer — All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment without regard to that individual’s age, race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law. Cox provides reasonable accommodations when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with disability, unless such accommodations would cause an undue hardship. Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship.
#J-18808-Ljbffr