Strategy Manager at DLA Piper in Phoenix, Arizona

Strategy & Operations Manager

DLA Piper's Strategy & Ops function sits under the COO/CFO and exists to turn ambiguous, high-stakes problems into decisions and execution that move the business forward, especially when the issue is cross-functional in nature and does not otherwise have a clear owner. The department is empowered by senior leadership to pursue and deliver opportunities that are too important for the Firm, too messy, and too cross-cutting to sit cleanly in one function. Strategy & Operations is designed to bring direction and momentum in situations that otherwise lack both.

The Strategy & Operations Manager is a senior individual-contributor role responsible for leading cross functional, firm priority initiatives from inception through execution, acting as a trusted partner to executive sponsors, functional leaders, and project owners. The role sits at the intersection of strategy, execution, and operational problem solving, and is accountable for ensuring that high impact initiatives progress with clarity, rigor, and momentum.

This role is not traditional project management. Rather, it combines program leadership, strategic judgment, and executive communication to help the Firm reliably execute its most critical back-office priorities while shaping future opportunities.

Location: This position can sit in any of our US office locations and offers a hybrid work schedule.

Responsibilities:

• Lead complex, cross-functional initiatives aligned to Firm strategic priorities.
• Translate ambiguous executive asks into clear problem statements, success metrics, workplans, and governance structures.
• Design and maintain integrated program plans, key decisions, risks, dependencies, and milestones.

Executive & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Serve as a day-to-day thought partner to executive sponsors and business owners.
• Prepare concise executive-level updates and recommendations for senior audiences.
• Proactively surface issues, trade-offs, and decision points, and drive timely resolution or escalation.

Cross-Functional Orchestration:

• Build and guide cross-functional working teams, clarifying roles, responsibilities, and accountability while respecting functional ownership.
• Break down organizational silos by aligning functions around shared objectives.
• Coordinate selectively with external vendors and advisors to advance projects.

Strategic & Analytical Contribution:

• Partner with leadership to identify high-impact opportunities, assess feasibility, and shape Firm priorities.
• Apply structured problem-solving, financial reasoning, and data-driven analysis to inform recommendations.
• Support development of Firm playbooks, standard operating approaches, and reusable frameworks.

AI-Enabled Execution & Scale:

• Leverage collaboration tools and AI capabilities to improve efficiency across planning, documentation, reporting, and communications.
• Identify repeatable processes suitable for automation and partner in developing AI agents where appropriate.

Profile & Capabilities:

• 4+ years of experience in strategy consulting, internal strategy / operations, corporate development, or a comparable role in a complex organization.
• Proven track record leading enterprise-scale, cross-functional initiatives with senior stakeholders.
• Exceptionally strong executive communication skills (written and verbal).
• Comfort operating in ambiguity and shaping structure where none exists.
• High judgment, low-ego collaborator with the ability to influence without formal authority.
• Familiarity with professional services, legal, or financial services environments preferred.

Success Looks Like:

• Firm-priority initiatives move faster, with clearer ownership and fewer surprises.
• Executives trust the role as a reliable extension of their strategic intent.
• Cross-functional teams are aligned, engaged, and focused on outcomes.
• The Strategy & Ops function is seen as essential to "getting the hardest things done.

Desired Skills: Dynamic individual with experience in strategy and operations, preferably within a professional services firm setting. Experience and demonstrated impact in strategy and operations consulting with project management, data and financial analysis, and analytics-based decision-making. Team players with a growth-mindset, strong critical thinking abilities, a problem-solving approach, strong communication skills, an ability to take ownership of and tackle new challenges in a fast-paced environment, and a great work-ethic. Strategy and operations consulting within Big Law legal industry or other large professional services firms is preferred.

Minimum Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.

Preferred Education:

• Master's degree in MBA or other advanced degree in a relevant field.

Minimum Years of Experience:

• 4 years' experience in strategy consulting or with related experience or minimum two years' post-MBA experience.

Essential Job Expectations: While the specific job requirements of a DLA Piper position may vary depending upon scope of the job and area of specialty, there are certain universal requirements that are expected of all DLA Piper employees, which include but are not limited to:

• Effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with clients, lawyers, business professionals, and third parties.
• Produce deliverables, answer phone calls, and reply to correspondence in an efficient and responsive manner.
• Provide timely, accurate, and quality work product.
• Successfully meet deadlines, expectations, and perform work duties as required.
• Foster positive work relationships.
• Comply with all firm policies and practices.
• Engage in both physical and sedentary activity, such as (a) working at a computer for extended periods of time, including on-screen reading and typing; (b) participating in digital/virtual conference calls; (c) participating in meetings as needed.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands in a fast-paced environment.
• Perform all other duties, tasks or projects as assigned.

Our employees are expected to embrace and uphold our firm values as a part of our DLA Piper culture. We are committed to excellence in how we represent our clients and develop our people. Physical Demands: Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Work Environment: The individual selected for this position may have the opportunity for a hybrid work arrangement comprised of remote and in-office work, the requirement for which will be determined in coordination with the hiring manager or supervisor and may be modified in the firm's discretion in the future.

Disclaimer: The purpose of this job description is to provide a concise statement of the work elements and to organize and present the information in a standardized way. It is not intended to describe all the elements of the work that may be performed by every individual in this classification, nor should it serve as the sole criteria for personnel decisions and actions. The job duties, requirements, and expectations for this position may be modified at the Firm's discretion at any time. This job description does not change the at-will nature of employment.

Application Process: Applicants must apply directly online instead of sending application materials via email. Accommodation Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to permit individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions and responsibilities of the position or to participate in the job selection process. If you have a request for an accommodation during the application process, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io. Agency applications will not be considered. No immigration sponsorship is available for this position. The firm's expected hiring range for this position is $100,787 - $160,255 per year depending on the candidate's geographic market location. The compensation offered for employment will also be dependent on other factors including the candidate's experience, skills, educational and professional background, and overall qualifications. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits, including medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k). DLA Piper is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.