Strategic Initiatives Lead

Job Description Summary:

The Strategic Initiatives Lead will take ownership of key change and transformation projects from planning through execution, working with a high degree of independence once direction is set. This role serves as a hands-on driver of project and change management work across the organization, translating strategic priorities into structured plans, clear timelines, and measurable outcomes. You will partner closely with department leaders and cross-functional teams to keep initiatives on track, resolve roadblocks, and ensure that communication and change adoption efforts are well coordinated. This is an individual contributor role for someone who can take a project brief, build the plan, and run with it, while keeping stakeholders aligned along the way.

Job Description:

The Strategic Initiatives Lead will take ownership of key change and transformation projects from planning through execution, working with a high degree of independence once direction is set. This role serves as a hands-on driver of project and change management work across the organization, translating strategic priorities into structured plans, clear timelines, and measurable outcomes. You will partner closely with department leaders and cross-functional teams to keep initiatives on track, resolve roadblocks, and ensure that communication and change adoption efforts are well coordinated. This is an individual contributor role for someone who can take a project brief, build the plan, and run with it, while keeping stakeholders aligned along the way.

 

Primary Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end project plan for assigned strategic initiatives, including scope, milestones, timelines, and resource needs.

• Translate high-level direction from leadership into actionable workstreams, then run day-to-day execution with minimal oversight.

• Develop and lead change management plans (communications, training, adoption tracking) that support successful rollout of new processes, tools, or organizational changes.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for department leaders and stakeholders on assigned initiatives, gathering input, surfacing risks, and driving decisions to closure.

• Identify and resolve project risks and roadblocks proactively, escalating only when needed.

• Build and maintain project documentation, status reports, and dashboards (including Power BI) for leadership and department reviews.

• Partner with the Transformation Management Office (TMO) to ensure program, project, and initiative content is accurate and current across shared platforms (e.g., SharePoint).

• Facilitate working sessions and stakeholder meetings, driving toward clear action plans and follow-through.

• Coach and guide team members (e.g., Strategic Initiatives team members) on project tasks as needed, without formal management responsibility.

• Support firm-wide goals and OKR processes, including planning, tracking, and reporting.

• Monitor engagement and adoption metrics, using data to refine plans and improve outcomes.

• Contribute to the broader Strategic Initiatives team's planning, tools, and best practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Organizational Development, Communications, or a related field; equivalent experience considered.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in project management, change management, or strategic operations.

• Demonstrated ability to take a project from direction to completion with minimal day-to-day guidance.

• Strong organizational and planning skills, with comfort managing multiple initiatives at once.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience presenting to and influencing stakeholders.

• Proven ability to work effectively across teams and build strong working relationships at multiple levels of the organization.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and collaboration platforms (e.g., Teams, SharePoint); comfort learning new tools.

• Experience with project management or reporting tools (e.g., Power BI, Smartsheet, MS Project) preferred.

• Ability to leverage AI tools as they become available.ti

al Job Duties & Responsibiliti

 This is an exempt position. The annualized base pay range for this role is expected to be between $85,000-$150,0000.  Actual base pay could vary based on factors including but not limited to experience, subject matter expertise, geographic location where work will be performed, and the applicant's skill set.  The base pay is just one component of the total compensation package for employees.  Other rewards may include an annual cash bonus and a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and 401(k). Please note that the job title is subject to change based on the selected candidate’s experience and education.

Focus is a leading financial services firm comprised of integrated wealth management, family office, and business management services. Blending deep expertise and expansive resources with a boutique, client-first fiduciary philosophy, Focus helps individuals, families, and institutions navigate complex financial situations with highly personalized solutions tailored to their unique needs. To learn more about Focus, visit www.focusfinancialpartners.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.

#LI-KP1

Focus is a leading financial services firm comprised of integrated wealth management, family office, and business management services. Blending deep expertise and expansive resources with a boutique, client-first fiduciary philosophy, Focus helps individuals, families, and institutions navigate complex financial situations with highly personalized solutions tailored to their unique needs. To learn more about Focus, visit www.focusfinancialpartners.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.

EEO Statement: Focus is an equal opportunity employer and bases its employment decisions on the employee or candidate’s skillset, and without regard to an employee or candidate’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state and/or federal law.

 

Focus complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact careers@focuspartners.com

The following language is for US based roles only

 

For California Applicants: Information on your California privacy rights can be found here

 

For Indiana Applicants: It is unlawful for an employer to discriminate against a prospective employee on the basis of status as a veteran by refusing to employ an applicant on the basis that they are a veteran of the armed forces of the United States, a member of the Indiana National Guard or a member of a reserve component.

 

For Maryland Applicants: I UNDERSTAND THAT UNDER MARYLAND LAW, AN EMPLOYER MAY NOT REQUIRE OR DEMAND, AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT, PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYMENT OR CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT, THAT ANY INDIVIDUAL SUBMIT TO OR TAKE A POLYGRAP OR SIMILAR TEST.  AN EMPLOYER WHO VIOLATES THIS LAW IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND SUBJECT TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $100. 

 

For Massachusetts Applicants: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment.  An employer who violates this shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. 

 

For Montana Applicants: If hired, the employment relationship is governed by the Wrongful Discharge from Employment Act. Mont. Code Ann. Section 39-2-901.

 

For Rhode Island Applicants: Focus is subject to Chapters 29-38 of Title 28 of the General Laws of Rhode Island and is therefore covered by the state’s workers’ compensation law. If you willfully provide false information about your ability to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, you may be barred from filing a claim under the provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act of the State of Rhode Island if the false information is directly related to the personal injury that is the basis for the new claim for compensation.  The Company complies fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act.