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Director Strategy Jobs in Reston, VA (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: 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 ...

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 ...

FINRA

Senior Director, Strategy

Rockville, MD

The Strategy, Data & Tech Senior Director Strategy Lead is a professional with a strong track record of leading strategic and capital planning, business case development, RegOps Goal, Objective, and ...

FINRA

Senior Director, Strategy

Washington, DC · On-site

The Strategy, Data & Tech Senior Director Strategy Lead is a professional with a strong track record of leading strategic and capital planning, business case development, RegOps Goal, Objective, and ...

Transunion

Director, Strategy & Planning

Reston, VA · On-site

$168.75K - $281.25K/yr

TransUnion's Job Applicant Privacy Notice Personal Information We Collect Your Privacy Choices Team Overview The Director, Strategy & Planning reports to the VP of Strategy & Planning within ...

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Director Strategy information

See Reston, VA salary details

$82.7K

$127.3K

$187.8K

How much do director strategy jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for director strategy in Reston, VA is $127,342.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,200.00 and $145,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 jobs make $3,000 a month without a degree?

For a Director Strategy or similar roles, earning $3,000 a month without a degree is uncommon, as such positions typically require advanced education and experience. However, entry-level or related roles like sales representatives, customer service managers, or certain freelance consulting jobs can sometimes reach this income level with experience and skills. Many of these jobs rely on strong communication, sales abilities, or industry-specific knowledge rather than formal degrees.

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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Strategy jobs in Reston, VA? The most popular types of Strategy jobs in Reston, VA are:
What job categories do people searching Director Strategy jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Director Strategy jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Director Strategy jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Director Strategy job openings:
Director Strategy jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Strategy job openings in Reston, VA as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,342 per year, or $61.2 per hour.
Director, Strategy

Director, Strategy

Merlin Labs

Washington, DC

Full-time

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’s business and corporate strategy 

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

  • Identify and evaluate new markets, mission sets, and customer segments across commercial and government domains 

  • Develop go-to-market and growth strategies in regulated and government-contracted environments 

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

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

  • Support strategy related to FAA certification pathways and defense procurement processes 

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

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

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

Requirements:

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

  • Experience in aerospace, defense, autonomy, robotics, or other highly regulated industries 

  • Proven ability to operate at both strategic and execution levels 

  • Experience working with or alongside government customers or complex regulatory environments 

  • Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills 

  • Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives with measurable impact 

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

Nice to Haves:

  • Experience in autonomous systems, aviation, or AI-driven platforms 

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

  • Background in management consulting, corporate strategy, or high-growth startups 

  • Experience scaling strategy in a venture-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: people@merlinlabs.com

Merlin Labs does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates.