Associate Director of Strategic Programs

About the Role  

The Associate Director of Strategic Programs is responsible for owning and driving cross-functional strategic and operational initiatives to completion. In this role, you will partner with Executives and business leaders to support and deliver key initiatives across the organization, including value creation projects and other operational priorities.

The ideal candidate combines structured program leadership, strong analytical skills, and executive presence to operate credibly across the leadership team. You will translate strategy into execution, connect work that would otherwise sit in silos, and serve as a trusted thought partner across the business. This is a high-impact role for someone who thrives on execution, accountability, and measurable outcomes.

Reports to

Vice President of AI Transformation and Operations 

Pay Classification

Full-Time, Exempt   

Responsibilities  

Strategic Programs Execution

• Partner with business leaders to scope, prioritize, and execute A-LIGN’s strategic growth initiatives
• Translate company priorities into clear roadmaps, milestones, KPIs, and expected outcomes
• Establish program governance, decision rights, leadership cadences, and escalation paths
• Develop business cases, scenario models, and benefits analyses to support key decisions
• Lead new capabilities, lines of business, and operating processes from initial design through implementation and transition to functional ownership

AI Transformation & Adoption  

• Identify and evaluate opportunities to use AI to improve productivity, efficiency, and business outcomes
• Lead discovery sessions to understand workflows, pain points, and practical AI use cases
• Coordinate AI pilots and implementations across business units and measure results
• Support adoption by documenting and sharing effective practices, lessons learned, and successful use cases

Executive Operations & Reporting

• Prepare concise, metrics-based updates and recommendations for Executives and the Board of Directors
• Lead the annual strategic planning process and connect company priorities to budgets, hiring plans, and execution
• Plan and facilitate strategy reviews, business reviews, and other leadership meetings
• Support organizational design and operating-model changes as A-LIGN continues to scale

M&A Integration Support (optional, subject to deal activity)

• Partner with deal leadership on integration planning, including Day 1 readiness and 100-day plans
• Drive functional integration across technology, operations, commercial, and people workstreams
• Build repeatable integration playbooks for future transactions 

Minimum Qualifications  

EDUCATION  

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, or other relevant fields
• MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred    

EXPERIENCE  

• 5 to 7 years' experience in program management or strategic planning, preferably with a foundation in management consulting (e.g., Big 4, BCG, McKinsey, or equivalent)
• 2+ years' operating experience in a corporate or PE-backed environment
• Track record of leading complex, cross-functional programs from scoping through measurable outcomes
• Experience producing board-level materials and operating in a metrics-driven environment
• Advanced proficiency in PowerPoint, Excel, and data analysis tools
• B2B services or tech-enabled services experience preferred
• Cybersecurity, compliance, audit, regulated services, or federal contracting experience is a plus  

SKILLS  

• Outcome orientation with strong discipline on priorities and results
• Mental agility and comfort with complexity and ambiguity
• Ability to lead through influence and credibility
• Business acumen connecting strategy, operations, and financials
• Executive-level written and verbal communication
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and competing priorities

Benefits  

• Healthcare, Dental, and Vision Benefits 
• Employer Paid Life Insurance and Disability Insurance 
• EAP - Employee Assistance Program 
• Pet Insurance 
• 401(k) Plan with Employer Matching 
• Competitive Bonus Structure
• Home Office Reimbursement
• Certification Reimbursement 
• Personalized Career Coaching 
• Generous Paid Time Off 
• Paid Office Closure December 25-January 1 
• Vacation Bonus 
• Summer Hours  

About A-LIGN  

A-LIGN is the leading provider of high-quality, efficient cybersecurity compliance programs. Combining experienced auditors and audit management technology, A-LIGN provides the widest breadth and depth of services including SOC 2, ISO 27001, HITRUST, FedRAMP, and PCI. A-LIGN is the number one issuer of SOC 2 and HITRUST and a top three FedRAMP assessor. To learn more, visit a-lign.com.  

Come Work for A-LIGN!  

Apply online today at A-LIGN.com and learn about life at A-LIGN by following us on LinkedIn.   
A-LIGN is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities, women, disabled, and veterans encouraged to apply!