Sr Manager Strategy Development (11555)

Location: Riverwoods, IL UNITED STATESFunctional Area: Finance/EconomicsMin Pay Rate: $0Max Pay Rate: $0Pay Type: YearResource Type: Full TimeJob Description: A high profile position within Cardmember Services & Consumer Banking reporting to the Vice President, Planning & National Operations, the person in this role will manage a newly formed team that identifies and evaluates performance improvement opportunities in “core” Cardmember Services operations. The team will consist of both junior- and senior-level strategy analysts. We are looking for an energetic and highly motivated individual who will build this team, develop relationships with the senior leaders in Cardmember Services to identify the highest priority project opportunities, and provide thought leadership in directing project work. Successful performance in this role presents significant opportunity to advance into a general management role within one of the business units in Cardmember Services & Consumer Banking.SKILLSRequired: • Build and manage a team of junior- and senior-level strategy analysts who can identify and critically assess performance improvement initiatives for the various business units within Cardmember Services using activity-based costing data, industry benchmarks, and internal assessments• Develop an ongoing screening and prioritization mechanism for new project opportunities that enables periodic realignment of internal consulting resources based on changing corporate, CSCB, and business unit priorities• Manage the creation of presentations to the Executive Vice President of the Cardmember Service & Consumer Banking, other members of the Management Committee, and the Discover Financial Services Board of Directors on CSCB performance and key issues• Manage development of strategic plans for the business units within Cardmember Services• Serve as a thought partner to the Vice Presidents and Senior Vice Presidents in CSCB to identify, structure, and manage delivery of analysis that will drive key decisions• Champion the effective adoption of strategic planning / performance improvement tools and processes within CSCB to enable the business units to achieve strategic objectives• Coordinate with the Cardmember Services & Consumer Banking Program Management Office to track and evaluate the implementation of key initiatives stemming from the team’s analysis• Coordinate with members of the CSCB Financial Planning & Analysis team to ensure that identified opportunities are appropriately reflected in the CSCB financial plan• Create a rapid response capability that can deliver value-added analysis in response to urgent, ad hoc requests• Manage recruiting, training, and other skill-building activities for new hires and current members of the CSCB Strategy Development teamDesired: Experience:• Work experience that demonstrates sustained achievement in roles of progressively increased responsibility• Minimum of three years experience in managing teams of professionals focused on quantitatively-based industry and operational performance improvement analysis• Minimum of three years experience working for a professional services consulting firm or in an internal consulting environment – preferably post-MBA• Between seven and ten years of professional experience in an analytically-oriented operations environment, a strategy consulting firm, or a financial / strategic planning function – preferably in the consumer financial services industryCompetencies:• Demonstrated strength in issue identification, directing and performing quantitative analysis, and effectively synthesizing complex, possibly conflicting, data into key insights• Significant experience interacting with, presenting to, and influencing senior management audiences• The proven ability to apply a general management mindset to a complex operating environment• Ability to structure work and provide direction to teams consisting of analysts with diverse skill sets• Demonstrated ability to drive action with both direct reports and those over whom he / she has informal authority• Ability to apply an entrepreneurial mindset to building a new team and adjust quickly to changing direction and tight deadlines• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software: Excel, PowerPoint, and Word• Experience in a Financial Planning & Analysis environment or as a CPA is desirable, but not requiredEducation:• Successful completion of an MBA degree or equivalent – preferably with emphasis in Finance or a quantitatively-based Strategy discipline Click here to apply: