Sr Manager, Strategy & Operations

Job description

The Senior Manager, Strategy & Operations (Transformation) helps lead the design and delivery of one of AutoNation’s most consequential transformation programs: an enterprise-wide effort to modernize how a leading American automotive retailer operates, with significant P&L impact at scale. Extending across the company’s core businesses and customer experience, the program will build modern, technology-led operating models and carry them from concept to scaled rollout across the network. This is a builder’s and operator’s role, not only a strategy-deck role. As a core member of the Transformation Office, you will sit at the center of the transformation agenda, with a strategic vantage point across the full scope of work. You will play a key cross-functional role in the effort, collaborating frequently with Product, Tech, Finance, and Operations to drive the high-priority initiatives forward. You will be comfortable structuring ambiguous problems, building the analysis and the executive narrative, and carrying them from approved business case through pilot, rollout, and value capture. You will interact frequently and directly with senior executives, preparing materials for the Executive Committee and presenting them at the senior leadership level. You operate strategically and in the details. You bring exceptional synthesis and communication skills and mastery of the core strategy toolkit (structured problem solving, Excel modeling, executive-ready PowerPoint), paired with the conviction to push through ambiguity and the willingness to roll up your sleeves and get things done, changing traditional processes into something faster and more customer-centric. Key Responsibilities: ● Cross-functional ownership: Work cross-functionally to bring workstreams from approved business case through pilot, rollout, and value capture; accountable not for the plan alone, but for the result and its P&L impact. ● Build the analytical backbone: Develop the financial and operational models, KPIs, and reporting that size the opportunity, quantify impact, and hold every initiative accountable to its targets. ● Own the executive narrative: Structure ambiguous problems, translate complex analysis into a single clear point of view, and prepare and deliver Executive Committee- and senior-leadership-level materials with a high bar for accuracy and clarity. ● Translate strategy into execution: Turn enterprise strategy into clear operating plans, roadmaps, milestones, and owners that teams can actually run with. ● Shape the operating model: Help architect target-state operating models, the processes, roles, workflows, and store-level economics, across priority areas of the transformation agenda. ● Drive alignment and governance: Bring leaders across operations, finance, and corporate functions to clear decision points, build adoption in the field, resolve the risks and blockers that stall transformation work, and help manage cross-workstream sequencing and reporting so the program stays honest to its numbers and its timeline. Minimum Qualifications ● Experience: 7 years of experience across strategy and operations, with a track record of taking cross-functional initiatives from idea to measurable result. ● Executive presence and influence: Superb top-down communication and synthesis skills, and track record of building and owning clear, executive-quality materials. Demonstrated success leading through influence rather than formal hierarchy, building trust across operators, finance, and other functions to deliver enterprise results. ● Comfort with ambiguity: Ability to move from an ambiguous, enterprise-level challenge to a clear execution roadmap autonomously, without waiting to be told how. ● Analytical rigor: Excellent Excel skills and strong financial knowledge, with the judgment to know which analysis actually drives a decision and the discipline to hold initiatives to their numbers. ● Consulting background: Tenure at a top-tier management consulting firm with transformation experience is strongly preferred. Experience in automotive retail, mobility, or multi-brand, multi-unit distributed consumer operations is highly valued. Education - BS/BA degree in Business, Economics, Finance, Engineering, or a related field. Exciting Benefits and Perks Await You Reporting Structure: Reports to the Director of Strategy & Growth Initiatives Direct Reports: This position is an Individual Contributor (IC) Exciting Benefits and Perks Await You: Competitive compensation and 401k matching Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with insurance plans (health, dental, vision) and maternity benefits. Associate purchase and discount programs for new and pre-owned vehicles, services, parts, collision, accessories, and AutoGear Access amazing deals and discounts through YouDecide, a website with offers from top providers and retailers Join our DRVPNK mission to raise and donate millions of dollars to cancer research and treatment, partnering with cancer charities nationwide AutoNation is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States, offering innovative products, exceptional services, and comprehensive solutions, empowering our customers to make the best decisions for their needs. With a network of dealerships nationwide strengthened by a recognized brand, we offer a wide variety of new and used vehicles, customer financing, parts, and provide expert maintenance and repair services. Through DRV PNK, we have raised over $40 million for cancer-related causes, demonstrating our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of our Associates, Customers, and the communities we serve. AutoNation is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment in our workplace and the services we provide. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds who are passionate about making a positive impact. Even if you do not meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. Join our team and help us foster a culture of belonging while contributing to our revolutionary work in the automotive industry. We value innovation, teamwork, and a commitment to making a positive impact in the world.