Director, Corporate Strategy

About Designer Brands

At Designer Brands, we are the proud parent company of DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, The Shoe Company, and Rubino, operating nearly 675 stores across North America and a billion-dollar digital commerce business. We lead the footwear industry with a diverse portfolio of iconic brands, including Topo Athletic, Keds, Vince Camuto, Kelly & Katie, Jessica Simpson, Lucky Brand, Mix No. 6, Crown Vintage, and others. With expertise in design, production, and sourcing, we create on-trend footwear and accessories, delivered through a robust omni-channel infrastructure and national wholesale distribution. At Designer Brands, we are committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, where each employee's unique perspective contributes to our success. Anchored by our core values of “We Love What We Do,” “We Own What We Do,” “We Do What's Right,” and “We Belong,” we continuously drive forward together, building a future where everyone can put their best foot forward.

The Opportunity

At Designer Brands, we're not just shaping the future of fashion—we're shaping the future of how people experience it. As our Director of Corporate Strategy, you'll be at the heart of that transformation. This isn't just a strategic role—it's a chance to influence the direction of a beloved brand, drive innovation, and help us grow in ways that matter.

You'll be a trusted advisor to our executive team, leading high-impact initiatives that blend data-driven insights with bold thinking. If you thrive on solving complex challenges, collaborating across teams, and turning strategy into action, this is your moment.

What You'll Be Doing

As a strategic leader, you'll guide the business through transformation and growth by:

Strategic Leadership & Planning

• Designing and executing enterprise-wide strategic initiatives aligned with our most critical priorities.
• Partnering with executive leadership to shape and refine our strategic roadmap.
• Acting as an internal consultant to drive meaningful business outcomes.

Initiative & Portfolio Management

• Facilitating strategic planning and initiative reviews to ensure cross-functional alignment.
• Prioritizing and sequencing initiatives for maximum impact across the organization.
• Maintaining a dynamic pipeline of strategic opportunities in collaboration with business unit leaders.

Analysis & Business Case Development

• Creating frameworks for evaluating opportunities, including financial modeling, risk assessment, and scenario planning.
• Partnering with Finance to build robust business cases for M&A, partnerships, and new ventures.
• Conducting market research and competitive benchmarking to inform strategic decisions.

Execution & Change Enablement

• Driving organizational agility by challenging conventional strategies and embedding sustainable solutions.
• Identifying and resolving strategic risks through structured issue management.
• Enhancing visibility into performance, risks, and opportunities through tools and processes that foster accountability.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Leading strategic communications to ensure alignment across teams and stakeholders.
• Supporting investor relations through earnings call prep, industry benchmarking, and investor messaging.

What You'll Need

We're looking for a strategic thinker who's ready to lead with purpose and clarity. Here's what sets you up for success:

Skills & Experience

• Exceptional communication and storytelling skills to influence senior stakeholders.
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical capabilities—able to turn data into action.
• Deep financial acumen, including modeling and interpreting financial statements.
• Ability to simplify complex ideas for diverse audiences, from executives to cross-functional teams.
• Proven leadership in cross-functional environments, with a knack for building trust and alignment.
• Expertise in solving complex business challenges, managing resources, and applying change management principles.
• Highly organized and adaptable, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced setting.
• Familiarity with project management tools and governance frameworks.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• 10 years leading corporate strategy, business optimization, or transformation initiatives (including growth strategies, M&A integration, and process improvements).
• 7 years in leadership roles, ideally within retail or consumer-facing industries.
• Background in management consulting or professional services is a strong plus.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field.

Preferred

• MBA or advanced degree.
• PMP certification.
• Experience supporting investor relations or strategic communications.

• Your Sole Well-Being: Our benefits package is crafted with our associates in mind! We support you with benefits like free virtual health care, robust family/fertility benefits, 401(k) w/ match, and more. Explore our offerings at https://mymobilewalletcard.com/dbi.
• Stride with Flexibility: We offer hybrid and remote work opportunities, giving you the freedom to stay connected, productive, and inspired—wherever you do your best work.
• Stepping Up Your Career: Take advantage of training programs, professional development, and education assistance to advance your career with a company that celebrates bold ideas and fresh perspectives.
• We are Shoe-Obsessed: Because we know a great pair of shoes can change your day, you'll enjoy 30% off at DSW & DSW.com, plus discounts across our family of brands.

Additional Details : The successful candidate's actual pay rate offer will consider a wide range of job-related factors including skill sets, years and nature of relevant experience, training, pay rates of associates in similar positions, the candidate's location, and other organizational needs. The estimated hiring pay range has been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential. This position may be eligible for additional incentive compensation, which may include bonuses, or other forms of variable pay, subject to applicable program requirements and company discretion. This range does not include benefits such as health insurance, paid or unpaid time off work, and/or retirement benefits, unless required by law. Benefits eligibility may vary based on where you work and your position. Visit https://mymobilewalletcard.com/dbi/ to learn more!

Pay Transparency In order to support the Fair Compensation Strategy by the US Govt., HR Dept., clients are required to adhere to "Pay Transparency Law"; in the impacted states; that have mandated the employers to list the salary ranges in Job advertisements or postings for job opportunities and Job promotions.