Head of Strategic Initiatives Jobs
Head of Strategic Initiatives jobs are open across healthcare, financial services, technology, and professional services, from director-level to C-suite, with specializations in corporate strategy, organizational transformation, and cross-functional program leadership. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Requisition Number: 79718
The company built on breakthroughs.
Join us.
Corning is one of the world’s leading innovators in glass, ceramic, and materials science. From the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space, our technologies push the boundaries of what’s possible.
How do we do this? With our people. They break through limitations and expectations – not once in a career, but every day. They help move our company, and the world, forward.
At Corning, there are endless possibilities for making an impact. You can help connect the unconnected, drive the future of automobiles, transform at-home entertainment, and ensure the delivery of lifesaving medicines. And so much more.
Come break through with us.
As a leading developer, manufacturer, and global supplier of scientific laboratory products for 100 years, Corning’s Life Sciences segment collaborates with researchers seeking new approaches to increase efficiencies, reduce costs and compress timelines in the drug discovery process. Using unique expertise in the fields of materials science, surface science, optics, biochemistry and biology, the segment provides innovative solutions that improve productivity and enable breakthrough discoveries.
Role Purpose
The Engineering Strategic Initiatives Leader is a senior manufacturing and engineering leader responsible for accelerating high-impact plant initiatives while building deep familiarity with Corning’s culture, technologies, operating systems, and plant priorities. The role provides leadership capacity within Engineering for strategic work that is often delayed by competing day-to-day demands. This individual will lead a portfolio of cross-functional initiatives focused on cost reduction, digital transformation, AI implementation, equipment and manufacturing-data accuracy, operational performance excellence, Lean deployment, reliability, capacity, and productivity improvement. The role will partner closely with Manufacturing, Maintenance, Quality, IT/OT, Finance, Supply Chain, and division resources to turn strategic opportunities into sustainable operational results.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead high-priority plant initiatives that deliver measurable results, and drive cost-reduction and productivity projects from identification, validation, and financial tracking through implementation and sustainment of savings. Ensure initiatives connect to plant goals and do not create conflicting demands on manufacturing teams.
- Lead cross-functional problem solving on complex operational, equipment, reliability, capacity, quality, and performance constraints. Establish strong project-management discipline, including executive updates, decision logs, risk mitigation, action tracking, and accountability mechanisms.
- Lead the plant's implementation of approved digital and AI-enabled solutions that improve decision quality, productivity, reliability, quality, safety, or employee effectiveness. Identify valuable AI applications to improve decision making.
- Establish governance for MES, OSI PI, and related equipment/process data to improve data accuracy, consistency, ownership, availability, and trust. Define key data-quality metrics and lead efforts to correct underlying equipment connectivity, tag structure, master-data, data-entry, and process-discipline issues.
- Build working knowledge of plant operations, technology, quality systems, safety expectations, workforce practices, and Corning culture. Serve as a trusted partner to the Plant Engineering Manager and Manufacturing leaders on strategic decisions and execution challenges.
- Lead through influence across organizational boundaries and develop productive relationships with frontline employees, supervisors, technical experts, and senior leaders. Provide coaching and mentorship to project team members and emerging engineering or operations leaders.
Experiences/Education - Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or a related technical discipline.
- 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing.
- Demonstrated record of leading complex, cross-functional improvement programs that produced measurable results in cost, productivity, quality, safety, capacity, reliability, or service.
- Experience leading teams directly and/or leading substantial initiatives through influence in a matrixed manufacturing environment.
- Strong business acumen, including the ability to develop financial cases, track benefits, and prioritize investment and resource decisions.
- Exceptional communication, change-management, stakeholder-management, and executive-presentation skills
Experiences/Education - Desired
- Advanced degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, Data/Analytics, or a related field.
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent continuous-improvement leadership experience.
- Experience with MES, OSI PI, industrial automation, OT/IT integration, manufacturing analytics, cloud/data platforms, AI/ML applications, or digital product deployment.
- Experience leading Capital projects.
Success Measures:
- Measurable improvement in cost, productivity, reliability, capacity, quality, delivery, safety, and/or workforce effectiveness.
- Increased accuracy, accessibility, and utilization of MES, OSI PI, and other manufacturing/equipment data.
- Successful deployment and sustained adoption of approved AI, digital, or automation solutions.
This position does not support immigration sponsorship.
The range for this position is $146,918.00 - $202,013.00 assuming full time status. Starting pay for the successful applicant is dependent on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education.
A job that shapes a life.
Corning offers you the total package.
Your well-being is our priority. Our compensation and benefits package supports your health and wellness, financial aspirations, and career from day one.
- Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives align with key business results and ensure you are rewarded when the company performs well. When Corning wins, we all win.
- As part of our commitment to your financial well-being, we provide a 100% company-paid pension benefit with fixed contributions that grow throughout your career. Combined with matching contributions to your 401(k) savings plan, Corning’s total contributions to your retirement accounts can reach between 7% and 12% of your pay, depending on your age and years of service.
- Our health and well-being benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, family building support, fitness, company-paid life insurance, disability, disease management programs, paid time off, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your family.
- Getting paid for our work is important, but feeling appreciated and recognized for those contributions motivates us much more. That’s why Corning offers a recognition program to celebrate successes and reward colleagues who make exceptional contributions.
Your well-being is our priority. Our compensation and benefits package supports your health and wellness, financial aspirations, and career from day one.
- Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives align with key business results and ensure you are rewarded when the company performs well. When Corning wins, we all win.
- As part of our commitment to your financial well-being, Corning provides company matching contributions to your 401(k) savings plan of up to 4% of pay when you contribute at least 6% of pay.
- Our health and well-being benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, family building support, fitness, company-paid life insurance, disability, disease management programs, paid time off, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your family.
We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected status.
Corning is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and considers requests for reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs may request reasonable accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, perform essential job functions, or access other benefits and privileges of employment. To submit a request for reasonable accommodation related to disability or religion, please contact us at accommodations@corning.com.
Requisition Number: 79718
The company built on breakthroughs.
Join us.
Corning is one of the world’s leading innovators in glass, ceramic, and materials science. From the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space, our technologies push the boundaries of what’s possible.
How do we do this? With our people. They break through limitations and expectations – not once in a career, but every day. They help move our company, and the world, forward.
At Corning, there are endless possibilities for making an impact. You can help connect the unconnected, drive the future of automobiles, transform at-home entertainment, and ensure the delivery of lifesaving medicines. And so much more.
Come break through with us.
As a leading developer, manufacturer, and global supplier of scientific laboratory products for 100 years, Corning’s Life Sciences segment collaborates with researchers seeking new approaches to increase efficiencies, reduce costs and compress timelines in the drug discovery process. Using unique expertise in the fields of materials science, surface science, optics, biochemistry and biology, the segment provides innovative solutions that improve productivity and enable breakthrough discoveries.
Role Purpose
The Engineering Strategic Initiatives Leader is a senior manufacturing and engineering leader responsible for accelerating high-impact plant initiatives while building deep familiarity with Corning’s culture, technologies, operating systems, and plant priorities. The role provides leadership capacity within Engineering for strategic work that is often delayed by competing day-to-day demands. This individual will lead a portfolio of cross-functional initiatives focused on cost reduction, digital transformation, AI implementation, equipment and manufacturing-data accuracy, operational performance excellence, Lean deployment, reliability, capacity, and productivity improvement. The role will partner closely with Manufacturing, Maintenance, Quality, IT/OT, Finance, Supply Chain, and division resources to turn strategic opportunities into sustainable operational results.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead high-priority plant initiatives that deliver measurable results, and drive cost-reduction and productivity projects from identification, validation, and financial tracking through implementation and sustainment of savings. Ensure initiatives connect to plant goals and do not create conflicting demands on manufacturing teams.
- Lead cross-functional problem solving on complex operational, equipment, reliability, capacity, quality, and performance constraints. Establish strong project-management discipline, including executive updates, decision logs, risk mitigation, action tracking, and accountability mechanisms.
- Lead the plant's implementation of approved digital and AI-enabled solutions that improve decision quality, productivity, reliability, quality, safety, or employee effectiveness. Identify valuable AI applications to improve decision making.
- Establish governance for MES, OSI PI, and related equipment/process data to improve data accuracy, consistency, ownership, availability, and trust. Define key data-quality metrics and lead efforts to correct underlying equipment connectivity, tag structure, master-data, data-entry, and process-discipline issues.
- Build working knowledge of plant operations, technology, quality systems, safety expectations, workforce practices, and Corning culture. Serve as a trusted partner to the Plant Engineering Manager and Manufacturing leaders on strategic decisions and execution challenges.
- Lead through influence across organizational boundaries and develop productive relationships with frontline employees, supervisors, technical experts, and senior leaders. Provide coaching and mentorship to project team members and emerging engineering or operations leaders.
Experiences/Education - Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or a related technical discipline.
- 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in manufacturing.
- Demonstrated record of leading complex, cross-functional improvement programs that produced measurable results in cost, productivity, quality, safety, capacity, reliability, or service.
- Experience leading teams directly and/or leading substantial initiatives through influence in a matrixed manufacturing environment.
- Strong business acumen, including the ability to develop financial cases, track benefits, and prioritize investment and resource decisions.
- Exceptional communication, change-management, stakeholder-management, and executive-presentation skills
Experiences/Education - Desired
- Advanced degree in Engineering, Operations, Business, Data/Analytics, or a related field.
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt or equivalent continuous-improvement leadership experience.
- Experience with MES, OSI PI, industrial automation, OT/IT integration, manufacturing analytics, cloud/data platforms, AI/ML applications, or digital product deployment.
- Experience leading Capital projects.
Success Measures:
- Measurable improvement in cost, productivity, reliability, capacity, quality, delivery, safety, and/or workforce effectiveness.
- Increased accuracy, accessibility, and utilization of MES, OSI PI, and other manufacturing/equipment data.
- Successful deployment and sustained adoption of approved AI, digital, or automation solutions.
This position does not support immigration sponsorship.
The range for this position is $146,918.00 - $202,013.00 assuming full time status. Starting pay for the successful applicant is dependent on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education.
A job that shapes a life.
Corning offers you the total package.
Your well-being is our priority. Our compensation and benefits package supports your health and wellness, financial aspirations, and career from day one.
- Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives align with key business results and ensure you are rewarded when the company performs well. When Corning wins, we all win.
- As part of our commitment to your financial well-being, we provide a 100% company-paid pension benefit with fixed contributions that grow throughout your career. Combined with matching contributions to your 401(k) savings plan, Corning’s total contributions to your retirement accounts can reach between 7% and 12% of your pay, depending on your age and years of service.
- Our health and well-being benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, family building support, fitness, company-paid life insurance, disability, disease management programs, paid time off, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your family.
- Getting paid for our work is important, but feeling appreciated and recognized for those contributions motivates us much more. That’s why Corning offers a recognition program to celebrate successes and reward colleagues who make exceptional contributions.
Your well-being is our priority. Our compensation and benefits package supports your health and wellness, financial aspirations, and career from day one.
- Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives align with key business results and ensure you are rewarded when the company performs well. When Corning wins, we all win.
- As part of our commitment to your financial well-being, Corning provides company matching contributions to your 401(k) savings plan of up to 4% of pay when you contribute at least 6% of pay.
- Our health and well-being benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, family building support, fitness, company-paid life insurance, disability, disease management programs, paid time off, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your family.
We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected status.
Corning is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and considers requests for reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs may request reasonable accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, perform essential job functions, or access other benefits and privileges of employment. To submit a request for reasonable accommodation related to disability or religion, please contact us at accommodations@corning.com.
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Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
- Insurance
- Technology & Software
- Banking & Financial Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in head of strategic initiatives jobs.
- 7 or more years of experience in strategy, management consulting, or corporate development
- Demonstrated ability to lead and align cross-functional teams without direct authority
- Experience building and presenting executive-level business cases and strategic roadmaps
- Proficiency with project management and business intelligence tools such as Tableau or Power BI
- MBA or equivalent advanced degree in business, public policy, or a related field
- Familiarity with change management frameworks and organizational design principles
Tips for Your Head of Strategic Initiatives Job Search
Quantify your cross-functional impact clearly
Hiring managers for this role want evidence of programs you led end-to-end, not departments you advised. Cite the number of business units involved, the timeline you held, and the measurable outcome each initiative produced.
Tailor your resume to company stage
A growth-stage company wants someone who can build strategy infrastructure from scratch, while an enterprise wants someone who can align dozens of stakeholders. Read the job description for signals and reorder your resume bullets accordingly.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists head of strategic initiatives openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings that name reporting structure
Head of strategic initiatives roles that report directly to the CEO or COO give you far more scope and visibility than those sitting under a division VP. Filter your search by org chart language in job descriptions to avoid roles that are strategic in name only.
Prepare a case study for your interview
Interviewers for this role almost always ask you to walk through a complex initiative you owned. Prepare one tight, structured example covering the problem you diagnosed, the stakeholders you aligned, and the outcome you delivered against the original thesis.
Negotiate scope before you negotiate compensation
Because this role is often newly created or loosely defined, clarify decision rights, budget authority, and direct versus dotted-line reporting before accepting an offer. Ambiguity that feels exciting in an interview becomes a blocker on day one.
Head of Strategic Initiatives Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most head of strategic initiativess?
The companies hiring the most head of strategic initiativess right now include Amazon Web Services, Walmart, and JPMorganChase, with the largest share of openings in Texas, New York, and California, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Healthcare systems, large financial institutions, and high-growth technology companies tend to post this role most consistently throughout the year.
How many head of strategic initiatives jobs are remote?
About 79% of head of strategic initiatives openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the cross-functional collaboration the role requires. Strategy and program management work that is primarily analytical or document-based tends to be most compatible with remote arrangements, while roles centered on organizational transformation and stakeholder alignment are more likely to require regular in-person presence.
How do you become a head of strategic initiatives?
Most people reach this role by building a foundation in management consulting, corporate strategy, or business operations, then moving into cross-functional program leadership inside a company. From there, the path involves taking on progressively larger initiatives that touch multiple departments, earning a reputation for translating ambiguous problems into executable plans, and developing strong executive communication skills that give senior leaders confidence to hand you high-stakes, loosely defined work.
Can you get hired as a head of strategic initiatives without direct experience in the role?
Yes, candidates from adjacent backgrounds regularly land this role by emphasizing transferable evidence of strategic execution. Former management consultants, chief of staff alumni, and senior program managers who have led enterprise-wide initiatives are common hires even without the exact title. Focus your application on specific examples of aligning competing stakeholders, managing ambiguity at scale, and delivering outcomes that changed how a business operated.
What does the head of strategic initiatives interview process look like?
The process typically starts with a recruiter screen followed by a structured conversation with the hiring executive, often the CEO, COO, or a chief of staff. Candidates then move into panel interviews with business unit leaders or cross-functional peers, and most processes conclude with a case presentation where you are asked to analyze a real or hypothetical strategic problem and recommend a path forward. References and a final offer conversation usually follow.
Where can I find and apply to head of strategic initiatives jobs?
You can find and apply to head of strategic initiatives jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search for roles that match your background, review each listing for scope and reporting structure, and apply directly to the ones that fit your experience level and industry focus.
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