Strategic Planning Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Why join our team?

With a mission that spans the globe, the USO provides a rewarding and fulfilling work environment. Our team is exceptional, and we offer generous paid time off, including volunteer days and military leave. We have a remarkable 401k match, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for training and education reimbursement. Our team members are passionate about putting the mission first, and we have a lot of fun while doing it. Working for the USO isn't just a job – it's a calling, and we believe in doing what you love and loving what you do.

A Certified Great Place to Work®

Don’t just take our word for it—our people have spoken. According to the Great Place to Work® 2025–2026 survey:

• 96% feel good about how we support the community
• 94% are proud to tell others they work at the USO
• 92% say their work has special meaning—it’s not “just a job”
• 91% felt welcomed from day one
• Over 88% agree all employees are treated fairly, regardless of race or gender

This position reports to the Strategy, Innovation and Program Management Office (SIPMO) and supports enterprise strategic planning, execution tracking, and decision support. Working under the direction of the VP of SIPMO, the role helps organize inputs, conduct analysis, prepare materials, and coordinate follow-up across workstreams. The position contributes to the development and execution of the USO’s enterprise strategy by translating information into polished reports, supporting project activities, and helping maintain alignment across stakeholders. This role is suited for a detail-oriented analytical professional who can manage assigned workstreams, communicate clearly, thrive in a fast-paced work environment, and help catalyze the movement of strategy into action.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (*Essential Duties)

• Support the development of the USO’s enterprise strategic plan, including research, analysis, and synthesis of inputs.
• Help organize cross-functional inputs into clear summaries, themes, and draft recommendations for review by leadership.
• Prepare draft materials, including executive briefings, board and committee materials, strategy documents, and presentations, for review and refinement by the VP of SIPMO.
  • Executive briefings
  • Board/committee materials
  • Strategy documents and presentations
• Identify key themes, trade-offs, and decision points within strategy work.
• Conduct research and analysis to support strategic priorities, program design decisions, and enterprise tradeoff discussions.
• Help clarify ambiguous problems by organizing information, identifying options, and outlining actionable next steps for review.
• Assist with research, analysis, and drafting to support business cases for major initiatives.
• Support assigned tasks related to enterprise strategic initiatives and cross-functional workstreams.
• Track progress, identify risks, and escalate issues as needed.
• Ensure alignment between strategy, execution, and operational realities.
• Contribute to development of initiative charters, workplans, and deliverables.
• Partner with leaders across Mission Delivery, Development, Finance, IT, and other functions.
• Facilitate alignment across stakeholders and ensure inputs are incorporated into strategy work.
• Support structured engagement processes (e.g., leadership sessions, working groups, interviews).
• Develop high-quality, executive-ready materials to support:
  • Senior leadership meetings
  • Board and committee briefings
  • Strategic updates and communications
• Ensure materials are clear, concise, and decision-oriented.
• Support the VP of SIPMO in establishing and maintaining the operating cadence for strategy and execution, including:
  • Weekly workstream tracking
  • Progress reporting
  • Key meetings and decision forums
• Help ensure follow-through on action items and commitments across workstreams.
• Support high-priority, time-sensitive strategic initiatives led by executive leadership.
• Conduct rapid analysis and develop recommendations under tight timelines.
• Contribute to CEO-level materials and decision support as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.
• This is an in-person position located in Arlington, VA.

Job Specifications

• 5+ years supporting enterprise strategy, business transformation, or large-scale organizational initiatives, including research, analysis, executive communications, and leadership recommendations. Nonprofit, complex organizaiton or consulting experience preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree required (nonprofit management, business administration, strategic management, program management, or related field preferred)
• Advanced degree in related field/relevant professional certification preferred
• Strong structured problem-solving and analytical thinking
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to synthesize large amounts of information into clear insights
• Strong organizational and project management capabilities
• Ability to operate in ambiguous, fast-paced environments
• High attention to detail and quality of output
• Highly self-directed and proactive
• Strong judgment and prioritization skills
• Comfortable preparing materials and information for review by senior leaders.
• Effective collaborator across functions and teams`
• Able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and integrity
• Must be a strong advocate for the USO’s mission.

. Details

• This salary range for this position is $84,000-$110,000.
• To support pay transparency, this posting includes the anticipated base salary range for this role. Compensation is determined based on several factors including geographic location, relevant experience, specialized skills, certifications, and overall alignment with the position requirements. Our compensation practices are designed to ensure market competitiveness and internal equity across roles and levels.
• This is an in-person position located in Arlington, VA.
• Resume and cover letter are required for full consideration.
• Background check – education, criminal and driving required.
• The statements contained herein describe the scope of the responsibility and essential functions of this position but should not be considered to be an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other areas to cover absences or relief to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

If that’s not enough to convince you, here are some direct quotes from employees:

• The organization truly cares about the people who work here.
• There is great consideration given and extended in the following areas: organizational core values for all, work-life balance, impact we can actually see (and even experience as a staff member- the feeling of making an impact is priceless), autonomy with respect to current position within the organization.
• Everyone is friendly and easy to talk to. We collaborate well together and share ideas and interests to create fun activities for our overall goal in the community. I couldn't think of a better organization to work for.
• The mission alone provides a positive and meaningful purpose, where people should want to work and be a part of. Most of the people who work for the USO and volunteer for the USO have giving hearts and want to make a difference. This also makes the organization a place where people would want to work.
• The mission and opportunities to make a Difference are amazing. There is no doubt that the USO is one of the most forward-facing, frontline serving nonprofits that I know of.

Apply today. Join the mission. Join Team USO