Director, Strategy

About the Role

At Ariat, we are seeking an energetic, collaborative, and forward-thinking Director of Strategy to develop and support the execution of our go-to-market strategy. The role will report to the Vice President of Strategy & Analytics, and work closely with the Senior Leadership Team and the broader organization.

Through rigorous analyses, focus on our customers, creative thinking, and deep partnership with cross-functional stakeholders, the Director of Strategy develops the overall strategic direction for Ariat. This person will support the prioritization and implementation of near-term initiatives, and identify/assess longer-term growth opportunities across our Retail, eCommerce, Wholesale, and International business segments.

Ariat currently has a hybrid schedule, and this role will be working in our San Leandro, CA office a minimum of three days per week.

• Developing and driving Ariat’s overall strategy, and translating the strategy into specific initiatives and transformation efforts that drive profitable growth
• Researching and synthesizing market and competitive intelligence to understand current trends and industry dynamics – and what they mean for Ariat, both short- and long-term
• Evaluating new business opportunities, including market potential, brand/customer fit, competitive positioning, capability requirements, and business cases
• Supporting cross-functional teams to provide clear insights and strategies for key growth initiatives in their respective areas, and how these “ladder up” to Ariat’s overall strategy
• Assessing growth and capability investments (e.g., Artificial Intelligence), including use case prioritization, business impact, and change management required
• Partnering with consumer insights and analytics teams to embed “voice of the consumer” into our strategies – with a clear articulation of the “so-what”
• Evaluating underlying drivers of business performance and opportunities for improvement (e.g., sales trends, consumer loyalty, channel growth, etc.)
• Synthesizing findings and developing clear and compelling materials that communicate our strategies to the Board, Senior Leadership Team, and the broader organization
• Leading the Strategy team, providing strategic guidance, thought leadership, and mentorship that supports personal and professional development
• Assisting with other responsibilities based on business needs

• 10+ years of work experience in strategy or strategy consulting for wholesale and direct-to-consumer companies. Experience in the apparel and/or footwear industry strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree required. MBA preferred.
• Track record of leading and developing high-performing teams
• Entrepreneurial mindset, with a track record of building new capabilities or supporting a business through an accelerated growth and transformation period
• Demonstrated track record as an outstanding problem solver and strategic thinker with the ability to quickly identify key issues and develop hypotheses
• Ability to translate complex ideas and dispersed information into simple, actionable recommendations
• Strong analytical and financial modeling skills, with the ability to oversee and provide support to cross-functional partners and/or more junior team members
• Organizational skills, including project planning, time management, and attention to detail
• Strong business acumen related to consumer-facing businesses and the ability to assess the impact of decisions on overall business performance
• Strength in written and oral communication with proven ability to connect with and influence senior executives
• Strong ability and willingness to collaborate effectively as a true team player
• Demonstrated interest in retail and apparel/footwear

Ariat is an innovative, outdoor global brand with roots in equestrian performance. We develop high-quality footwear and apparel for people who ride, work, and play outdoors, and care about performance, quality, comfort, and style.

The salary range for this position is $165,000 - $185,000 per year.

The salary is determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity,…