Principal, Strategy

Be part of an amazing story.

Macy’s is more than just a store. We’re a story. One that’s captured the hearts and minds of America for more than 160 years. A story about innovations and traditions…about inspiring stores and irresistible products…about the excitement of the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks, and the wonder of the Thanksgiving Day Parade. We’ve been part of memorable moments and milestones for countless customers and colleagues. Those stories are part of what makes this such a special place to work.

Job Overview

Principal, Strategy operates at the intersection of strategy, transformation, and execution, translating enterprise ambition into coordinated action across functions, geographies, and stakeholders.

The role orchestrates complex initiatives, influences executive decision-making, manages external vendors, and ensures the successful delivery of operating model transformation outcomes at scale. As a connective leader, Principal, Strategy aligns project leadership, functional teams, and external partners to drive accountability, maintain momentum, and achieve strategic objectives.

Principal, Strategy delivers projects with precision, rigor, and alignment to enterprise goals. The role provides CSG Co-Sponsors and leadership with real-time, decision-ready visibility into implementation progress while enabling cross-functional teams to operate with strong coordination and minimal execution gaps. Through proactive risk management and effective change execution, the role drives measurable improvements in efficiency, quality, and organizational capacity.

Principal, Strategy combines strategic thinking, program orchestration, and executive influence to lead the end-to-end delivery of high-priority initiatives. The position holds accountability for execution outcomes and reports to the Senior Director, Strategy.

What You Will Do 

Strategic Orchestration & Execution

• Translate strategic priorities into integrated work plans, milestones, and measurable outcomes, adapting plans based on insights, learnings, and evolving business needs.
• Coordinate and align multiple workstreams to ensure seamless execution and achievement of shared objectives.

Enterprise Program Leadership & Governance

• Lead governance frameworks for assigned focus areas, including executive forums, decision-making processes, and escalation pathways.
• Provide senior leadership with clear, decision-ready insights on program progress, risks, dependencies, and key trade-offs.
• Drive accountability across stakeholders and vendors by establishing clear ownership, tracking commitments, and ensuring timely follow-through.
• Standardize operating cadences, reporting processes, and program management best practices across the initiative.
• Anticipate and address risks, roadblocks, and organizational challenges to maintain momentum and program success.
• Escalate critical issues with actionable recommendations and well-defined mitigation strategies.

Executive Advisory & Decision Support

• Distill complex information into clear recommendations, executive summaries, and presentation materials.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to co-sponsors and senior leaders, influencing decisions through strategic insights, structured analysis, and sound judgment.

Cross-Functional Integration

• Act as the primary connector across functions, geographies, and external partners to drive collaboration and alignment.
• Resolve cross-functional and vendor-related challenges while ensuring consistent prioritization and execution across teams.
• Foster an environment of acceptance and respect that strengthens relationships, and ensures authentic connections with colleagues, customers, and communities. 
• In addition to the essential duties mentioned above, other duties may be assigned.

Skills You Will Need 

Strategic Planning & Execution - Ability to translate enterprise priorities into actionable work plans, milestones, and measurable outcomes while adapting strategies to evolving business needs and organizational objectives. 

Program Leadership & Governance – Expertise in leading complex programs, establishing governance frameworks, managing decision-making processes, and ensuring accountability across workstreams, stakeholders, and vendors. 

Executive Communication & Decision Support – Strong ability to distill complex information into clear recommendations, executive summaries, dashboards, and presentations that support informed leadership decisions. 

Cross-Functional Leadership – Proven capability to align diverse teams, functions, geographies, and external partners around shared goals while fostering collaboration and driving coordinated execution. 

Stakeholder Management & Executive Influence – Demonstrated success building trusted relationships with senior leaders, influencing decisions, managing expectations, and driving alignment without direct authority. 

Risk Management & Problem Solving – Ability to proactively identify risks, dependencies, and roadblocks, develop mitigation strategies, and resolve complex organizational and operational challenges. 

Business Transformation & Change Management – Experience leading organizational transformation initiatives, driving change adoption, and implementing operating model improvements that enhance efficiency and effectiveness. 

Program Execution & Accountability – Strong project and program management skills with the ability to coordinate multiple workstreams, track commitments, monitor progress, and ensure successful delivery of strategic initiatives. 

Analytical Thinking & Strategic Insights – Ability to evaluate data, analyze trends, assess trade-offs, and generate actionable insights that support business performance and strategic objectives. 

Vendor & Partner Management – Experience managing external vendors and partners, establishing clear expectations, monitoring performance, and ensuring successful delivery against commitments. 

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement – Commitment to standardizing processes, improving operating cadences, enhancing reporting practices, and driving sustainable organizational improvements. 

Adaptability & Organizational Agility – Capacity to thrive in fast-paced, evolving environments, balancing multiple priorities while maintaining focus on strategic outcomes and execution excellence.

Who You Are

• 5+ years of experience in strategy, transformation, program leadership, or management consulting

• Proven track record driving large-scale, cross-functional transformation initiatives in complex organizations

• Expertise in managing complex interdependencies, competing priorities, and ambiguity 

• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence, challenge, and align leaders

• Ability to tailor messaging for different audiences, from operators to executives

• Ability to synthesize complexity into clear, actionable insights

• Experience supporting senior stakeholder decision-making

• Strong business acumen with the ability to connect program execution to enterprise value creation

• Previous global and transformation experience a plus

• This role involves performing essential job functions such as communication, collaboration, and use of office and computer systems. Responsibilities include the ability to access and review written and electronic information, and to move within the work environment and interact with workplace materials as needed to carry out job responsibilities.

• Ability to travel internationally at least once per quarter for two weeks at a time

• Office-dependent role, based in NYC

   

What We Can Offer You

Join a team where work is as rewarding as it is fun! We offer a dynamic, inclusive environment with competitive pay and benefits. Enjoy comprehensive health and wellness coverage and a 401(k) match to invest in your future. Prioritize your well-being with paid time off and eight paid holidays. Grow your career with continuous learning and leadership development. Plus, build community by joining one of our Colleague Resource Groups and make a difference through our volunteer opportunities. 

Some additional benefits we offer include:

• Merchandise discounts
• Performance-based incentives
• Annual merit review
• Employee Assistance Program with mental health counseling and legal/financial advice
• Tuition reimbursement

Access the full menu of benefits offerings here. 

About Us

This is a great time to join Macy’s! Whether you’re helping a customer find the perfect gift, streamlining operations in one of our distribution centers, enhancing our online shopping experience, buying in-style and on-trend merchandise to outfit our customers, or designing a balloon for the Thanksgiving Day Parade, we offer unique opportunities to be part of some of the most memorable moments in people’s lives. 

Join us and help write the next chapter in our story - apply today! 

This job description is not all-inclusive. Macy's, Inc. reserves the right to amend this job description at any time. Macy's, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. 

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