Associate Director of Strategic Programs

About the Role

The Associate Director of Strategic Programs is responsible for owning and driving cross-functional strategic and operational initiatives to completion. In this role, you will partner with Executives and business leaders to support and deliver key initiatives across the organization, including value creation projects and other operational priorities.

The ideal candidate combines structured program leadership, strong analytical skills, and executive presence to operate credibly across the leadership team. You will translate strategy into execution, connect work that would otherwise sit in silos, and serve as a trusted thought partner across the business. This is a high-impact role for someone who thrives on execution, accountability, and measurable outcomes.

Reports to

Vice President of AI Transformation and Operations

Pay Classification

Full-Time, Exempt

Responsibilities

Strategic Programs Execution

Partner with business leaders to scope, prioritize, and execute A-LIGN’s strategic growth initiatives

Translate company priorities into clear roadmaps, milestones, KPIs, and expected outcomes

Establish program governance, decision rights, leadership cadences, and escalation paths

Develop business cases, scenario models, and benefits analyses to support key decisions

Lead new capabilities, lines of business, and operating processes from initial design through implementation and transition to functional ownership

AI Transformation & Adoption

Identify and evaluate opportunities to use AI to improve productivity, efficiency, and business outcomes

Lead discovery sessions to understand workflows, pain points, and practical AI use cases

Coordinate AI pilots and implementations across business units and measure results

Support adoption by documenting and sharing effective practices, lessons learned, and successful use cases

Executive Operations & Reporting

Prepare concise, metrics-based updates and recommendations for Executives and the Board of Directors

Lead the annual strategic planning process and connect company priorities to budgets, hiring plans, and execution

Plan and facilitate strategy reviews, business reviews, and other leadership meetings

Support organizational design and operating-model changes as A-LIGN continues to scale

M&A Integration Support (optional, subject to deal activity)

Partner with deal leadership on integration planning, including Day 1 readiness and 100-day plans

Drive functional integration across technology, operations, commercial, and people workstreams

Build repeatable integration playbooks for future transactions

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, or other relevant fields

MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred

EXPERIENCE

5 to 7 years' experience in program management or strategic planning, preferably with a foundation in management consulting (e.g., Big 4, BCG, McKinsey, or equivalent)

2+ years' operating experience in a corporate or PE-backed environment

Track record of leading complex, cross-functional programs from scoping through measurable outcomes

Experience producing board-level materials and operating in a metrics-driven environment

Advanced proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel, and data analysis tools

B2B services or tech-enabled services experience preferred

Cybersecurity, compliance, audit, regulated services, or federal contracting experience is a plus

SKILLS

Outcome orientation with strong discipline on priorities and results

Mental agility and comfort with complexity and ambiguity

Ability to lead through influence and credibility

Business acumen connecting strategy, operations, and financials

Executive-level written and verbal communication

Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and competing priorities

Benefits

Healthcare, Dental, and Vision Benefits

Employer Paid Life Insurance and Disability Insurance

EAP - Employee Assistance Program

Pet Insurance

401(k) Plan with Employer Matching

Competitive Bonus Structure

Home Office Reimbursement

Certification Reimbursement

Personalized Career Coaching

Generous Paid Time Off

Paid Office Closure December 25-January 1

Vacation Bonus

Summer Hours

About A-LIGN

A-LIGN is the leading provider of high-quality, efficient cybersecurity compliance programs. Combining experienced auditors and audit management technology, A-LIGN provides the widest breadth and depth of services including SOC 2, ISO 27001, HITRUST, FedRAMP, and PCI. A-LIGN is the number one issuer of SOC 2 and HITRUST and a top three FedRAMP assessor . To learn more, visit a-lign.com.

Come Work for A-LIGN!

Apply online today at A-LIGN.com and learn about life at A-LIGN by following us on LinkedIn .

A-LIGN is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities, women, disabled, and veterans encouraged to apply!