Senior Director, Strategic Planning

Company Cox Automotive - USA Job Family Group Strategy & Corporate Development Job Profile Strategic Planning Sr Director Management Level Sr Director Flexible Work Option Hybrid - Ability to work remotely part of the week Travel % Yes, 5% of the time Work Shift Day Compensation Compensation includes a base salary in the range of $179,600.00 - $299,400.00. The base salary may vary within the anticipated base pay range based on factors such as the ultimate location of the position and the selected candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. Position may be eligible for additional compensation that may include an incentive program.

Job Description Position Overview

The Senior Director, Strategic Planning leads high-impact projects and initiatives that help Cox Automotive determine where to play, how to win, and what to do. This role partners with senior leaders across the organization to prioritize growth opportunities, strengthen strategic decision-making, and help business and solution groups achieve their financial and strategic objectives. Working closely with the strategy team, operational vice presidents, and general managers, this leader will guide strategic planning engagements from definition through execution. The role requires strong strategy, analytics, financial modeling, project leadership, and communication skills, along with the ability to influence across functions and levels in a rapidly changing industry.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic planning and analysis

• Lead market, customer, competitive, portfolio, and profit pool assessments for Cox Automotive and its business groups.
• Apply strategic planning frameworks to evaluate internal and external factors, identify opportunities and risks, and recommend clear choices.
• Define and communicate strategies for where to play, how to win, and what to do across Cox Automotive and its business units.
• Use hypothesis-driven analysis to identify root causes, key drivers, critical assumptions, and actionable insights, even when data is incomplete.
• Build financial models and scenario analyses to evaluate sensitivities and support strategic, investment, and operational decisions.
• Synthesize complex research and analysis into concise recommendations and implications for executive audiences.

Leadership and influence

• Lead strategic projects by defining scope, objectives, success measures, workplans, and deliverables. Advise senior leaders and cross-functional teams as a strategic thought partner, bringing new insights and an enterprise-wide perspective. Build strong relationships across Cox Automotive and influence decisions while balancing enterprise and business unit priorities. Guide solution group strategy leaders in developing business unit plans, strategic assessments, and financial analyses. Plan and facilitate productive executive planning sessions, ideation workshops, and decision-making meetings.

Execution and communication

• Develop portfolio assessments, total addressable market analyses, profit pool analyses, and other decision-support materials. Prepare executive communications, meeting materials, presentations, and summaries that advance the strategic planning process. Partner across functions to gather expertise, align stakeholders, and support the execution of strategic initiatives. Support industry- and customer-facing strategy communications. Contribute to budget planning and provide analysis that supports investment decisions and operational efficiency. Gather, analyze, and communicate marketplace and industry trends across the organization.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS Degree required with 12+ years of relevant strategic planning and/or management consulting experience required.
• Candidate can also have an MS degree and 10+ years of experience or 16+ years of experience in lieu of a degree.
• Strong analytical, financial modeling, research, organizational, and project management skills.
• Clear, concise written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex data into executive-ready documents and presentations.
• Ability to apply critical thinking, sound judgment, and strategic perspective to ambiguous or emerging opportunities.
• Ability to respectfully challenge perspectives, make recommendations, and articulate practical next steps.
• Demonstrated ability to establish credibility, influence leaders, and serve as an internal thought partner on strategic and business issues.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively with leaders at all levels.
• Ability to translate broad concepts and market insights into compelling stories, recommendations, and actionable business plans.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, changing environment with a sense of urgency and adaptability.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to travel as needed, up to 20%.

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 the 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
• 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.
• 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).

Equal Employment Opportunity and Hiring Eligibility

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. EOE, including disability/vets Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without current or future sponsorship. No OPT, CPT, STEM/OPT or visa sponsorship now or in future.

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.

Cox brings together the world’s greatest minds to help breathe life into new possibilities – and drive innovation for a better future. That’s why we look for individuals who share our pioneering spirit, have imaginative ideas and are fearless when it comes to tackling the world’s biggest challenges. Our people love technology – and they love making a difference. They have a passion for finding new solutions and working with brilliant colleagues. Every day they dedicate themselves to a huge range of exciting projects, contributing to the Cox vision around the globe. From engineering new sustainability solutions that conserve water and energy to creating the infrastructure for the smart cities of tomorrow, there’s no challenge too great for our pioneers. And there’s no shortage of opportunities for you to make a difference. Come and experience the dynamic, collaborative and creative environments where your ideas are welcome and new discoveries are waiting. To help you grow to your full potential, we strive to support our employees in their career aspirations and promote the freedom to explore new horizons.