Strategy Manager

Position Summary The Strategy Manager serves as a strategic partner to the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO), supporting the development, coordination, communication, measurement and execution of enterprise strategic priorities. This is a detailed, hands-on individual contributor role responsible for translating strategic objectives into articulate and actionable plans, rigorous analyses, executive-ready materials and measurable results. The position coordinates the annual strategic planning process, quarterly performance reviews, selected strategic initiatives and ad hoc decision support. Success requires strong business acumen, analytical rigor, financial modeling, exceptional written and presentation development skills, organizational discipline and the ability to influence stakeholders across the organization without direct authority. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable building a financial model, developing a Board-quality presentation, facilitating a working session and working through a complex business issue from initial question to process mapping to practical recommendation, implementation and measurement. Duties & Responsibilities Strategic Planning & Enterprise Coordination Coordinate and support the annual and multi-year strategic planning process across business lines and support functions, including calendars, templates, inputs, working sessions and final materialsMaintain the enterprise inventory of strategic priorities, initiatives, milestones, measures, risk factors, owners and key dependenciesPartner with business leaders to translate enterprise objectives into actionable plans and measurable goalsPersonally develop strategic planning materials, executive presentations, written narratives and progress updates in coordination with the CSO and COO and other business leaders as directedTrack progress against strategic objectives, identify execution risks and elevate issues requiring leadership attentionResearch market trends, competitors, industry developments and emerging opportunities relevant to Busey and the banking industryCoordinate cross-functional working groups and dotted-line project teams while maintaining clear ownership by business and functional leaders Quarterly Performance Reviews & Executive Reporting Own the hands-on coordination and preparation of Quarterly Performance Reviews across the organizationBuild and refine executive reporting materials, dashboards and scorecards that connect strategic planning objectives to timely updates on progress and emerging business issues or risksPartner with Finance, Enterprise Project Management Office, Corporate Insights and business leaders to validate data, sharpen conclusions and ensure materials are presented in an accurate, concise and decision-useful formatPrepare agendas, briefing materials, discussion questions, meeting notes and executive summariesDocument decisions, commitments and action items; maintain disciplined follow-up between review cyclesContinuously improve review content and process so leadership time is focused on decisions, actions and enterprise implicationsProactively follow up with accountable leaders, surface interdependencies and help remove barriers to execution Analysis & Decision Support Develop financial models, business cases, scenario analyses and data-driven assessments to support strategic decisionsAnalyze and clearly synthesize profitability, growth, productivity and performance successes and/or issues across business lines, regions, markets and strategic initiativesParticipate in the design and lead the execution of key business line incentive plans for the Regional Operating Model, Wealth Management, Busey Payments and Consumer BankingStructure ambiguous business questions, gather relevant facts, test assumptions and develop practical recommendationsEvaluate organic growth opportunities, strategic partnerships, new capabilities and operating model alternatives as assignedBenchmark business and enterprise performance against peers and relevant market indicatorsTranslate complex quantitative and qualitative information into concise executive-level insights and recommendationsPerform ad hoc analyses and special projects requested by the Chief Strategy Officer, COO or CEO Executive Partnership & Organizational Influence Operate as a trusted, hands-on extension of the CSO and COO on strategic planning, analysis and execution mattersBuild productive dotted-line relationships across business lines and functions; influence through credibility, sound analysis, responsiveness and follow-throughHandle confidential and time-sensitive matters with sound judgment and discretion Every day, our associates live Busey’s core values, doing better business, building stronger relationships and creating thriving communities—while delivering meaningful value to shareholders. Compensation And Benefits Salary offered is based on factors, including but not limited to, the job duties, required qualifications and relevant experience, and local market trends. The role may be eligible for bonus or incentives based on company and individual performance. (Base Pay Range: $112,000 - $147,000/year) Busey provides a competitive Total Rewards package in return for your time, talents, efforts and ultimately, results. Your personal and professional well-being—now and in the years to come—are important to us. Busey’s Total Rewards include a competitive benefits package offering 401(k) match, profit sharing, employee stock purchase plan, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, company-paid life insurance and long-term disability, supplemental voluntary life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, wellness incentives and an employee assistance program. In addition, eligible associates may take advantage of pre-tax health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts. Visit Busey Total Rewards for more information. Equal Opportunity Busey values a diverse and inclusive workplace and strives to recruit, develop and retain individuals with exceptional talent. A team with diverse talent, working together, is essential to Busey’s commitment of delivering extraordinary excellence. Busey is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Disability/Vets. Visit Busey.com/Careers to learn more about Busey’s Equal Opportunity Employment. Unsolicited Resumes Busey Bank, and its subsidiaries, does not accept any liability for fees for resumes from recruiters or employment agencies ("Agency"), without a binding, written recruitment agreement between Busey and Agency describing the services and specific job openings ("Agreement"). Busey may consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume and explicitly reserves the right to hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the Agency, unless an Agreement is in place. Any email or verbal contact with any Busey associate is inadequate to create a binding agreement. Agencies without an Agreement are requested not to contact any associates of Busey with recruiting inquiries or resumes. Busey respectfully requests no phone calls or emails. Education & Experience Knowledge Of Corporate strategy, strategic planning, initiative management and performance management disciplinesFinancial statements, budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, business-case development and value-driver analysisMarket research, competitor analysis, operating models, project governance and change managementBanking or financial services economics, products, regulatory environment and competitive dynamics, or the ability to learn a complex regulated industry quicklyExecutive and Board-level communication practicesPowerBI, Tableau or other data visualization tools Ability To Move fluidly between strategic thinking and detailed, hands-on executionStructure ambiguous questions, identify critical facts, test assumptions and develop practical recommendationsUse advanced Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint skills to produce executive-ready analyses and presentationsManage multiple priorities, deadlines and stakeholders with limited supervisionInfluence senior leaders and cross-functional partners without direct authorityCommunicate complex information clearly and concisely in writing, presentations and discussionsExercise sound judgment, discretion and composure when handling confidential or sensitive mattersDemonstrate strong attention to detail while maintaining an enterprise perspective Education And Training Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration or a related field requiredMinimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in corporate strategy, strategic finance, financial planning and analysis, management consulting, investment banking, corporate development, banking, business analytics, project or program management, or a comparable role required; 7-10 years preferredExperience leading cross-functional work and preparing materials for senior executives requiredFinancial services or banking experience preferred, but not required for a candidate with strong strategic, financial and execution capabilitiesPrior direct people management is not required; demonstrated leadership through dotted-line relationships and project teams is preferred