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Director Strategy Jobs in Springfield, VA (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Business Director, Strategy As a Business Director at Capital One, you will apply your strategic and analytical skills to major company challenges. You'll team with world-class professionals to ...

Business Director, Strategy As a Business Director at Capital One, you will apply your strategic and analytical skills to major company challenges. You'll team with world-class professionals to ...

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Director Strategy information

See Springfield, VA salary details

$83K

$127.9K

$188.5K

How much do director strategy jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for director strategy in Springfield, VA is $127,852.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,600.00 and $146,200.00 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.

How much does a director of strategy make in the US?

A director of strategy in the US typically earns between $120,000 and $200,000 annually, with total compensation often including bonuses and stock options. Salaries vary based on industry, company size, location, and experience level.

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.

Is a director higher than a manager?

In most organizational structures, a director is a higher-level role than a manager. Directors typically oversee multiple teams or departments and focus on strategic planning, while managers handle day-to-day operations within specific teams. The hierarchy can vary by company, but generally, directors have broader responsibilities and authority than managers.

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 Springfield, VA? The most popular types of Strategy jobs in Springfield, VA are:
What job categories do people searching Director Strategy jobs in Springfield, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Director Strategy jobs in Springfield, VA are:
What cities near Springfield, VA are hiring for Director Strategy jobs? Cities near Springfield, VA with the most Director Strategy job openings:
Infographic showing various Director Strategy job openings in Springfield, VA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,852 per year, or $61.5 per hour.
Director, Strategy

Director, Strategy

Merlin Labs

Washington, DC

Full-time

Posted 24 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.