Lead Director - Strategy & Business Operations

Aetna Mental Wellbeing is seeking a highly strategic, organized, and influential Lead Director, Strategy and Business Operations to support the Growth & Client Success (GCS) organization. This role serves as a trusted partner to the AVP, Growth & Client Success, helping drive execution, operational excellence, organizational alignment, and strategic initiatives across a national organization focused on sales, client success, and growth.

About the role

This is a unique opportunity for a leader who thrives at the intersection of strategy and execution. The successful candidate will coordinate enterprise initiatives, lead cross-functional projects, support executive communications, and help translate strategic priorities into measurable action.

Responsibilities

• Drive the Growth & Client Success Operating Rhythm
  • Manage the operating cadence for the Growth & Client Success organization, including leadership meetings, business reviews, planning cycles, and strategic forums.
  • Coordinate agendas, materials, action-item tracking, and follow-up activities to ensure accountability and execution.
  • Monitor progress against strategic priorities and elevate risks, barriers, and opportunities.
• Lead Strategic and Cross-Functional Initiatives
  • Provide project management support for high-priority business initiatives spanning sales, account management, product, marketing, operations, and clinical teams.
  • Develop project plans, align stakeholders, manage timelines, and drive execution through completion.
  • Ensure consistent communication, governance, and visibility across initiatives.
• Support Executive Leadership and Strategic Planning
  • Prepare executive presentations, business reviews, leadership updates, and strategic planning materials.
  • Help synthesize complex information into concise recommendations and clear executive-level communications.
  • Support leadership decision-making through rigorous preparation and coordination.
• Enhance Organizational Communication and Alignment
  • Facilitate effective communication flow across multiple teams and functions.
  • Help ensure organizational priorities, decisions, and updates are communicated consistently and clearly.
  • Partner with leaders to improve collaboration and strengthen execution across the Growth & Client Success organization.
• Maintain Operational Excellence
  • Establish and reinforce best practices for project tracking, meeting management, documentation, and organizational processes.
  • Support resource planning, priority management, and operational consistency.
  • Drive a disciplined approach to execution and organizational health.
• Build Strong Internal Partnerships
  • Coordinate with stakeholders across product, marketing, clinical, operations, finance, and enterprise functions.
  • Serve as a connector across teams, helping align efforts and remove obstacles to execution.
  • Foster productive relationships that enable speed, accountability, and collaboration.
• Deliver Business Insights and Reporting
  • Support reporting, performance tracking, and business reviews through data gathering and analysis.
  • Develop dashboards, summaries, and presentations that help leaders monitor progress and make informed decisions.
  • Identify trends, opportunities, and areas requiring leadership attention.
• Advocate for Customer Needs
  • Partner with Product and Innovation teams to represent customer, consultant, and market feedback.
  • Help ensure client and market insights are incorporated into product enhancements, service improvements, and future growth strategies.
  • Support initiatives that improve the customer experience and strengthen market competitiveness.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in business consulting, strategy, operations, project management, program management, or related business leadership roles.
• Demonstrated success leading complex cross-functional initiatives in a matrixed environment.
• Strong executive presence with exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities while driving accountability and execution.
• Experience developing executive-level materials, business reviews, and strategic communications.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; MBA or other advanced degree preferred.
• Healthcare, employee benefits, behavioral health, consulting, or health plan experience.
• Experience supporting senior executives, chief of staff functions, business operations, or strategic planning activities.
• Knowledge of sales, account management, customer success, or go-to-market organizations.
• Advanced proficiency with PowerPoint, Excel, and business reporting tools.

What success looks like

• Strategic priorities are executed with discipline, transparency, and accountability.
• Leadership teams operate with greater alignment, efficiency, and visibility.
• Cross-functional initiatives are delivered on time and achieve intended business outcomes.
• Executive decision-making is strengthened through effective communication, reporting, and planning.
• Customer and market insights are consistently represented in business and product decisions.
• The Growth & Client Success organization operates with a stronger, more scalable execution model.

Pay

The typical pay range for this role is $100,000.00 - $231,540.00. This pay range represents the base annual full-time salary for all positions in the job grade within which this position falls. The actual base salary offer will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education, geography, and other relevant factors. This position is eligible for a CVS Health bonus, commission, or short-term incentive program in addition to the base pay range listed above. This position also includes an award target in the company’s equity award program.

Benefits

This full-time position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the physical, emotional, and financial well-being of colleagues and their families. The benefits for this position include:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Paid time off.
• Retirement savings options.
• Wellness programs and other resources, based on eligibility.