[Hiring] Senior Principal Business Strategy & Planning Consultant @UKG

Role Description

The Sr. Principal, Business Strategy & Planning is a strategic, highly visible leader within Global Implementation Services (GIS), reporting directly to the SVP, GIS. This role partners with the SVP and senior leaders to shape strategy, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and advance transformational priorities.

This role connects long-term strategy to day-to-day execution by translating priorities into clear plans, surfacing risks, and helping teams stay aligned and accountable. The role also serves as a trusted representative of the SVP, attending meetings on the SVP’s behalf when needed, communicating their priorities, and ensuring decisions and follow-ups continue to move forward.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy and Business Planning
  • Partner with the SVP and functional leaders to shape GIS strategy, support organizational planning, and set priorities.
  • Review market analysis and external trends to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, service delivery, and customer experience.
  • Lead transformational initiatives that improve how GIS operates, delivers value, and serves customers.
  • Champion the practical use of AI, data, and emerging technologies to improve efficiency, service quality, decision-making, employee experience, and the customer journey.
  • Translate strategic priorities into plans with clear milestones, owners, measures, and expected outcomes.
  • Develop business insights and recommendations for senior leadership, including executive presentations and planning materials.
• Executive Partnership and Operating Rhythm
  • Represent the SVP in selected meetings and cross-functional forums when they are unable to attend, conveying their priorities and perspective and ensuring appropriate follow-up.
  • Serve as a strategic thought partner to the SVP, helping prepare for key decisions, anticipate roadblocks, and protect leadership focus.
  • Drive automation and AI innovation and scale across teams.
  • Track leadership commitments and strategic initiatives, keeping owners aligned and surfacing risks or decisions that need attention.
  • Serve as an objective, trusted partner to the GIS leadership team, promoting clear communication, transparency, and accountability.
• Analytics and Operational Effectiveness
  • Drive data-informed decision-making through reporting, analytics, forecasting, and business reviews.
  • Synthesize business and operational information into clear insights that support decisions and action.
  • Identify opportunities to simplify processes, improve reporting, and automate routine work.
• Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Build strong working relationships across Finance, Operations, Product, Sales, Customer Success, and Services.
  • Connect GIS priorities with broader company goals and customer needs.
  • Lead high-priority cross-functional initiatives that require coordination across teams or do not fit neatly within a single function.
  • Influence senior stakeholders and help resolve issues that could delay strategic work.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in business strategy, operations, finance, consulting, or business planning.
• Experience supporting senior executives, leading strategic planning, or managing complex cross-functional initiatives.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Implementation Services, Professional Services, or similar client delivery functions within a SaaS environment.
• Experience with identifying, creating and implementing AI solutions at scale.
• Strong analytical and financial modeling skills, with the ability to turn complex information into actionable recommendations.
• Executive-level communication, presentation, and facilitation skills.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders, represent executive priorities, and drive enterprise initiatives forward.
• Experience with Power BI, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Excel, and enterprise reporting tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years of people leadership experience (preferred).
• Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, Economics, or a related field; MBA preferred.

Benefits

• The pay range for this position is $169,400 to $241,400.
• Employees may be eligible to participate in a performance-based bonus plan.
• Restricted stock unit awards as part of total compensation.
• Learn more about UKG’s benefits and rewards at UKG Benefits .