Director of Strategic Projects

Department: Operations
Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Location: Remote
FLSA Status: Exempt
Employment Status: Full-Time

Position Summary

The Director of Strategic Projects is responsible for leading the Company's highest-priority strategic initiatives, operational transformation efforts, and cross-functional projects that drive growth, profitability, efficiency, and customer experience improvements. This individual serves as the executive project lead for enterprise initiatives from concept through implementation, ensuring projects are executed on time, within scope, and aligned with organizational objectives.

The Director of Strategic Projects will oversee complex programs such as ReStock, the Low Vehicle Value Project (LVVP), and future operational improvement initiatives. This role partners closely with executive leadership, Operations, Pricing, Remarketing, Technology, Customer Relations, Accounting, Compliance, and other business functions to translate strategic goals into measurable business outcomes.

The ideal candidate is a highly analytical, results-oriented leader who thrives in fast-paced environments, can navigate ambiguity, influence across departments, and successfully manage multiple high-impact initiatives simultaneously.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Project Leadership

• Lead the planning, execution, implementation, and optimization of enterprise-wide strategic initiatives.
• Serve as the primary project owner for high-impact operational transformation programs.
• Develop project charters, business cases, implementation plans, milestone schedules, and success metrics.
• Identify project dependencies, risks, resource requirements, and mitigation strategies.
• Ensure projects remain aligned with organizational goals, financial objectives, and operational priorities.

Cross-Functional Execution

• Partner with executive leadership and department leaders to identify, prioritize, and execute strategic opportunities.
• Coordinate efforts across Operations, Information Technology, Pricing, Remarketing, Customer Relations, Accounting, Human Resources, and other business functions.
• Facilitate project meetings, status reviews, and executive steering committees.
• Drive accountability and ownership among project stakeholders.

Operational Improvement & Transformation

• Analyze business processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, customer experience, operational performance, and profitability.
• Lead process redesign initiatives and implementation of new workflows.
• Develop scalable operating procedures that support long-term business growth.
• Evaluate project outcomes and implement continuous improvement initiatives.

Technology & Systems Implementation

• Collaborate with Information Technology and development teams on system enhancements, platform implementations, and automation initiatives.
• Ensure new technologies are successfully integrated into operational workflows.
• Partner with stakeholders to gather requirements, define business processes, conduct testing, and support user adoption.
• Monitor post-launch performance and oversee issue resolution efforts.

Performance Monitoring & Analytics

• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and project success metrics.
• Develop reporting dashboards and executive-level project updates.
• Analyze operational, financial, and customer data to support decision-making.
• Present recommendations and progress reports to executive leadership.

Change Management

• Develop communication plans to support project deployments and organizational change.
• Manage stakeholder engagement and adoption strategies.
• Facilitate training and support efforts to ensure successful implementation of new processes and technologies.
• Anticipate organizational impacts and proactively address barriers to success.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• May directly manage project managers, business analysts, or specialized project resources as assigned.
• Provides project leadership to cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• May oversee external consultants, vendors, and implementation partners.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Exceptional project management and organizational skills.
• Strong strategic thinking and business acumen.
• Ability to manage multiple large-scale initiatives simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to influence without direct authority and build consensus across departments.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, and project tracking tools.
• Strong process improvement and change management experience.
• Ability to effectively communicate with frontline employees through executive leadership.
• Experience managing technology-driven operational initiatives.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Project Management, Finance, Technology, or a related field required.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Seven (7)+ years of progressive experience in project management, business transformation, operational leadership, consulting, or strategic initiatives.
• Experience leading complex cross-functional projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Experience in automotive, retail, logistics, operational services, technology implementation, or related industries preferred.
• PMP, Lean Six Sigma, Agile, or equivalent project management certification preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to communicate effectively through virtual and in-person meetings.
• Occasional travel may be required based on project needs.