ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Director Strategy Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Merlin Labs

Director, Strategy

Washington, DC

You are a strategic operator with a deep interest in aviation, autonomy, and complex, regulated ... direct your inquiries to: [email protected] Merlin Labs does not accept unsolicited resumes from ...

Merlin Labs

Director, Strategy

Washington, DC

You are a strategic operator with a deep interest in aviation, autonomy, and complex, regulated ... direct your inquiries to: people@merlinlabs.com Merlin Labs does not accept unsolicited resumes ...

Merlin Labs

Director, Strategy

Washington, DC · On-site

You are a strategic operator with a deep interest in aviation, autonomy, and complex, regulated ... direct your inquiries to: [email protected] Merlin Labs does not accept unsolicited resumes from ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsStrategy JobsDirector Strategy JobsDirector Strategy Jobs in Washington

Director Strategy information

See Washington salary details

$75.9K

$174.5K

$235K

How much do director strategy jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for director strategy in Washington is $174,512.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $161,400.00 and $194,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a strategy director do?

A strategy director develops and oversees long-term plans to achieve a company's goals, analyzing market trends and competitive positioning. They collaborate with executive teams, utilize data analysis tools, and often require strong leadership and strategic thinking skills to guide organizational growth.

Is strategy a high paying job?

A strategy director or similar senior strategic roles are typically high-paying positions, often offering salaries well above average for management roles. Compensation depends on industry, company size, location, and experience, with many earning six-figure salaries and additional bonuses or stock options.

How much does a strategy director make in the US?

A strategy director in the US typically earns between $120,000 and $200,000 annually, with the median salary around $150,000. Compensation varies based on industry, experience, location, and company size, and often includes bonuses and benefits.

How much does a strategy director earn?

A strategy director typically earns between $100,000 and $200,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. Senior roles may include bonuses, profit sharing, or other incentives, and strong leadership and strategic planning skills are essential for this position.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Strategy, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Strategy, you need strong analytical abilities, business acumen, and experience in strategic planning, often backed by an MBA or relevant advanced degree. Familiarity with data analytics platforms, financial modeling tools, and strategic management frameworks like SWOT or Porter’s Five Forces is typically required. Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills help drive alignment and inspire teams. These competencies are crucial for shaping organizational direction, influencing high-stakes decisions, and achieving long-term business goals.

What is the difference between Director Strategy vs Business Development Manager?

AspectDirector StrategyBusiness Development Manager
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree; MBA often preferred; strategic planning experienceBachelor's degree; sales or marketing experience beneficial
Work EnvironmentCorporate strategy teams; executive levelSales teams; client-facing roles
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across industries for strategic planningCommon in sales, tech, and service industries for growth roles
Primary FocusDeveloping long-term strategic plansIdentifying and securing new business opportunities

The main difference is that a Director Strategy focuses on high-level strategic planning and organizational direction, while a Business Development Manager concentrates on expanding the company's client base and revenue through new business opportunities. Both roles require strategic thinking, but their day-to-day activities and objectives differ significantly.

How does a Director of Strategy typically collaborate with other departments to drive organizational goals?

A Director of Strategy works closely with leaders from departments such as marketing, finance, operations, and product development to align strategic initiatives with overall business objectives. This role often facilitates cross-functional workshops, leads strategic planning sessions, and communicates progress to executive leadership. Effective collaboration ensures that strategic plans are practical, well-supported, and adaptable to changing market conditions. Building strong relationships across departments is key to overcoming resistance and fostering a unified approach to achieving organizational success.

What does a Director of Strategy do?

A Director of Strategy is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing an organization’s long-term goals and strategic initiatives. They analyze market trends, assess competitive landscapes, and identify growth opportunities. Working closely with senior leadership, they help set priorities, allocate resources, and ensure the company’s vision aligns with its actions. The role often requires strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills, along with experience in business planning and project management.
What are the most commonly searched types of Strategy jobs in Washington? The most popular types of Strategy jobs in Washington are:
What are popular job titles related to Director Strategy jobs in Washington? For Director Strategy jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Director Strategy jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Director Strategy jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Director Strategy jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Director Strategy job openings:
Director Strategy jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Strategy job openings in Washington as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $174,512 per year, or $83.9 per hour.
Director, Strategy

Director, Strategy

Merlin Labs

Washington, DC

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

About Merlin:
Merlin is a venture backed aerospace startup building a non-human pilot to enable both reduced crew and uncrewed flight. Backed by some of the world's leading investors, Merlin is scaling alongside our customers to begin leveraging autonomy today to solve some of aviation's biggest challenges.
About You:
You are a strategic operator with a deep interest in aviation, autonomy, and complex, regulated environments. You are comfortable navigating ambiguity, connecting technical innovation to market opportunity, and driving initiatives from concept through execution.  You bring a structured approach to problem solving, strong business judgment, and the ability to influence across engineering, program, and commercial teams. You are equally comfortable in executive-level discussions and rolling up your sleeves to move critical initiatives forward. 
Responsibilities:

  • Partner with executive leadership to define and evolve Merlin'sbusiness and corporate strategy 

  • Translate long-term vision intoclear strategic priorities, roadmaps, and execution plans 

  • Identify and evaluatenew markets, mission sets, and customer segmentsacross commercial and government domains 

  • Developgo-to-market and growth strategiesin regulated and government-contracted environments 

  • Lead high-priority,cross-functional strategic initiativesfrom concept through implementation 

  • Collaborate with Engineering, Programs, and Business Development to ensure alignment betweentechnical development and business objectives 

  • Support strategy related toFAA certification pathways and defense procurement processes 

  • Build data-driven analyses, business cases, and executive-level materials to supportdecision-making and Board discussions 

  • Assess competitive landscape, partnerships, and ecosystem dynamics to inform strategic positioning 

  • Act as a force multiplier for leadership by increasingdecision velocity and organizational alignment 

Requirements:

  • 7-10+ years of experience instrategy, operations, or program leadership 

  • Experience inaerospace, defense, autonomy, robotics, or other highly regulated industries 

  • Proven ability to operate at bothstrategic and execution levels 

  • Experience working with or alongsidegovernment customers or complex regulatory environments 

  • Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills 

  • Demonstrated success leadingcross-functional initiatives with measurable impact 

  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence at both executive and technical levels 

Nice to Haves:

  • Experience inautonomous systems, aviation, or AI-driven platforms 

  • Familiarity withFAA certification, DoD procurement, or mission-based program development 

  • Background inmanagement consulting, corporate strategy, or high-growth startups 

  • Experience scaling strategy in aventure-backed or rapidly growing company 

  • Ability to navigate ambiguity and build structure in evolving environments 

  • Operator mindset with a track record of driving strategy through execution 

Merlin Labs offers an innovative, entrepreneurial, and team-focused startup environment. We also offer a top-notch benefits package (health, dental, life, unlimited vacation, and 401k with match) and work/life integration. Being part of the Merlin team allows you to become part of a small team that supports professional development while working together to achieve our mission.

Merlin Labs is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, military service or obligation or disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All job offers are contingent upon the candidate passing background and reference checks.

At this time, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship or consider candidates who require visa transfers. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future. 

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to: [email protected]

Merlin Labs does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates.
apply for this job

Apply