What are the responsibilities and job description for the VP / SVP, Strategic Planning position at Gaia, Inc.?
Summary
We are seeking a senior leader to own and evolve the company’s strategic planning, modeling, and analytics capabilities, serving as a critical partner to the executive team. This role combines executive-level strategic influence with hands-on analytical execution, translating corporate strategy into rigorous, decision-grade models and insights. The VP will lead high-impact analyses across scenarios such as M&A, market expansion, budgeting, and transformational initiatives—while directly engaging in complex modeling, BI analytics, and cross-functional problem solving. At Gaia, soft skills are key to success. We seek candidates with strong interpersonal abilities – effective communication, teamwork, prioritization, and problem solving – who can adapt to change, manage conflicts with empathy, and collaborate well with diverse teams. While technical skills matter, we highly value those who build positive relationships, contribute to a supportive culture, and approach challenges with a solution-oriented mindset. If this sounds like you, you’ll thrive in our dynamic environment. Must be able to work on campus in Louisville, CO. US citizenship or an existing work visa is required Gaia subscribers strongly preferred Non-smoker
Responsibilities
We are seeking a senior leader to own and evolve the company’s strategic planning, modeling, and analytics capabilities, serving as a critical partner to the executive team. This role combines executive-level strategic influence with hands-on analytical execution, translating corporate strategy into rigorous, decision-grade models and insights. The VP will lead high-impact analyses across scenarios such as M&A, market expansion, budgeting, and transformational initiatives—while directly engaging in complex modeling, BI analytics, and cross-functional problem solving. At Gaia, soft skills are key to success. We seek candidates with strong interpersonal abilities – effective communication, teamwork, prioritization, and problem solving – who can adapt to change, manage conflicts with empathy, and collaborate well with diverse teams. While technical skills matter, we highly value those who build positive relationships, contribute to a supportive culture, and approach challenges with a solution-oriented mindset. If this sounds like you, you’ll thrive in our dynamic environment. Must be able to work on campus in Louisville, CO. US citizenship or an existing work visa is required Gaia subscribers strongly preferred Non-smoker
Responsibilities
- Own the development, governance, and continuous improvement of enterprise-wide financial and strategic models, including long-range planning (LRP), valuation frameworks, and scenario platforms
- Remain hands-on in building and refining complex models, particularly for high-priority or ambiguous strategic initiatives
- Lead advanced analytics and BI-driven insight generation (e.g., dashboards, performance tracking, KPI frameworks) to support real-time decision-making
- Partner directly with the CEO, CFO, and executive leadership to shape corporate strategy through data-driven insights
- Drive modeling and analysis for major strategic decisions, including M&A, capital allocation, pricing strategy, and new business incubation
- Design and lead scenario planning processes that stress-test the business under varying macroeconomic and competitive conditions
- Collaborate closely across Finance, Marketing, Operations, and executive leadership to align data, assumptions, and strategic priorities
- Translate ambiguous strategic questions into structured, quantitative analyses that inform executive decision-making
- Oversee the integration of financial, operational, and market data into cohesive, scalable modeling frameworks
- Build and lead a high-performing team (if applicable), while setting standards for modeling rigor, transparency, and usability
- Present clear, actionable insights and recommendations to executive leadership and Board-level stakeholders
- Drive modernization of modeling and analytics capabilities, including automation, advanced analytics, and BI tooling
- 10–15 years of experience in corporate finance, strategy, investment banking, private equity, or management consulting
- Proven track record of influencing executive-level decisions through analytical insights
- Deep, hands-on expertise in financial modeling, valuation, and strategic analysis at an enterprise level
- Strong experience with BI tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) and data analysis (SQL, Python, or similar)
- Demonstrated ability to operate both strategically and tactically, balancing leadership with direct execution
- Experience leading large-scale initiatives such as M&A transactions, corporate transformations, or long-range planning processes
- Strong leadership and cross-functional influence skills
- MBA, CFA, or equivalent experience strongly preferred
- Strategic Tactical Balance: Able to zoom out to shape strategy and dive deep into the model when needed
- Executive Communication: Distills complex analyses into clear, actionable narratives
- Cross-Functional Influence: Effectively partners across Finance, Marketing, and leadership teams
- Judgment Under Uncertainty: Provides clarity in ambiguous, high-stakes situations
- Data-Driven Leadership: Embeds analytics into the company’s decision-making culture
- Executive team and Board rely on outputs as a trusted foundation for strategic decisions
- Complex models are not only built but personally validated and pressure-tested for critical initiatives
- BI and analytics capabilities enable real-time visibility into performance and key drivers
- Cross-functional teams are aligned through a shared, data-driven understanding of the business
- The function operates as both a strategic advisor and a hands-on analytical engine