VP, Strategic Initiatives

Position Summary

The VP, Strategic Initiatives serves as a strategic partner and operational extension of the CEO and Executive Chairman, ensuring alignment and execution across the enterprise. This role acts as a trusted advisor, project leader, and cross‑functional liaison—driving strategic initiatives, improving organizational effectiveness, and enabling the CEO and Executive Chairman to focus on the highest‑impact priorities. The VP, Strategic Initiatives operates with significant autonomy and discretion, representing the CEO and Executive Chairman perspective across internal and external stakeholders including the Board of Directors, investors, segment leadership, and corporate functions.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Execution

• Partner with the CEO and Executive Chairman to develop, prioritize, and track enterprise‑wide strategic initiatives across the Company's four operating segments.
• Support the CEO and Executive Chairman in coordinating strategic priorities, capital allocation, and governance responsibilities with the Executive Chairman.
• Prepare briefing materials, talking points, and strategic recommendations for Board meetings, investor presentations, and executive leadership sessions.

Growth Management & Scaling

• Help the CEO and Executive Chairman manage the organizational complexity of rapid growth—including workforce scaling, capacity expansion across multiple facilities, and the coordination of long‑duration, high‑value customer relationships.
• Maintain consolidated cross‑segment visibility into the Company's data center pipeline, including demand signals, capacity constraints, and execution risks.

Operational Effectiveness

• Drive accountability for enterprise priorities by tracking progress, removing obstacles, and escalating issues across C‑Suite executives and segment Presidents.
• Identify operational inefficiencies or process gaps and recommend solutions to improve organizational performance and scalability.
• Support the implementation and monitoring of enterprise initiatives such as D365, IT upgrades, HRIS, HVAC/plumbing expansion, and cross‑segment data center service coordination.

CEO Communications & Governance

• Manage the CEO and Executive Chairman strategic agenda, ensuring time is allocated to the highest‑impact activities.
• Synthesize complex inputs into clear, actionable summaries for the CEO; draft and review executive communications including internal memos, Board correspondence, and external messaging.
• Coordinate preparation for earnings calls, investor conferences, shareholder meetings, and Board and Committee meetings in collaboration with the CAO, CFO, and external advisors.

M&A and Integration

• Support the CEO and Executive Chairman in evaluating acquisition opportunities, including strategic assessment, coordination of due diligence workstreams, and preparation of investment recommendations.
• Oversee post‑acquisition integration planning and execution in coordination with segment leadership and corporate functions, ensuring newly acquired operations are integrated effectively into the Company's decentralized model.
• Track integration milestones and report progress to the CEO, Executive Chairman and executive team.

Financial Analysis & Capital Allocation

• Partner with the CFO and finance team to prepare financial analyses, scenario modeling, and capital allocation recommendations.
• Assist in annual budgeting and long‑range planning processes.
• Monitor key financial and operational metrics—including backlog conversion rates, margin trends, capacity utilization, and remaining performance obligations—flagging variances requiring CEO and Executive Chairman attention.

Organizational & Talent Priorities

• Support the CEO and Executive Chairman leadership development and succession planning responsibilities.
• Help facilitate executive team effectiveness through meeting design, agenda management, and follow‑up on action items.

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, engineering, or a related field or equivalent experience.
• 8–12 years of progressive professional experience, with at least 3 years in a strategic advisory or senior operational role.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience with financial modeling, budgeting, capital allocation analysis, and the ability to interpret segment‑level P&L and backlog data.
• Demonstrated experience supporting or interacting with Boards of Directors, investors, or other senior stakeholders in a public company environment.
• Meaningful M&A experience, including due diligence, deal evaluation, or post‑acquisition integration—ideally across multiple transactions.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information for executive audiences.
• High degree of discretion, integrity, and judgment in handling confidential and sensitive matters.
• Proven ability to manage multiple high‑priority projects simultaneously in a fast‑paced, high‑growth environment.
• Comfort operating within a decentralized model.
• Digital‑forward mindset with a willingness to leverage emerging technologies, including AI, to enhance productivity, decision‑making, and organizational scalability.

Preferred

• MBA or advanced degree in business, finance, or a related discipline.
• Experience in electrical contracting, infrastructure services, technology systems integration, data center, or industrial fabrication industries.
• Prior experience in strategic initiatives, corporate development, or corporate strategy role at a company with $1B+ in revenue.
• Familiarity with SEC reporting requirements and public company governance practices.
• Experience supporting organizations through rapid scaling, including workforce expansion, facility buildouts, and the integration of acquisitions.
• Understanding of end‑market dynamics relevant to IES, including data center infrastructure, power generation/distribution, residential construction, and electrification trends.
• Experience with enterprise digital transformation initiatives, including ERP implementations, data analytics platforms, or technology‑driven process improvements across multi‑site operations.

Working Conditions

• Houston, Texas corporate headquarters; in‑office presence expected.
• Travel to operating segment locations (including facilities in Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Alabama, Ohio, Oklahoma, and other markets), customer sites, investor meetings, and industry events as needed (estimated 30–40%).
• Extended hours and flexibility required around Board meetings, earnings cycles, M&A activity, and strategic initiatives.