Head of Corporate Strategy & Development

Together we change lives.

Kelly is a team of experts driven by our belief that the impact of the right person in the right job is limitless. 

No matter where you are in your career journey you can apply your knowledge and passion to move people, organizations, and communities forward.  You’ll have opportunities to grow your expertise and capabilities, both professionally and personally.  As a team we celebrate inclusion, caring and collaboration.  As a company we value your contribution, we work with integrity, and we always put people first – so your impact really will change lives.

Our Head of Corporate Strategy and Development is a senior strategy executive serving as Kelly’s chief architect of enterprise direction and capital allocation — combining strategic planning and execution, corporate development leadership, and competitive intelligence and analysis governance under a single remit that reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

As Kelly enters a pivotal chapter in its 80th year, with new executive and Board leadership focused on profitable growth amid rapid industry change, this Vice President position will serve as a key strategic advisor to senior leadership and the Board. The role will lead long-range planning, corporate development, and enterprise execution, ensuring strategic priorities translate into measurable business outcomes while overseeing strategy, M&A, and enterprise management functions.

The successful candidate will bring a combination of top-tier strategic intellect, buy side and sell side transaction experience, executive presence and the ability to influence and mobilize a complex, matrixed enterprise behind a unified direction.

Responsibilities:

• Enterprise Strategy LeadershipOwn the enterprise-wide strategic agenda, setting the 3–5 year strategic planning cycle and long-range plan (LRP)Develop and track key initiatives and operational performance metrics that are critical to executing against to deliver the LRPDrive competitive intelligence, market analysis, and scenario planningDefine organic growth priorities and capital allocation recommendations

• Corporate Development Program OwnershipOversee the full lifecycle from pipeline sourcing through post-merger integrationGovern deal structuring, valuation, due diligence, and negotiationLead integration planning and performance tracking; manage external advisors, banks, and divestiture activitiesManage matrixed governance model spanning all key functional areas and across the business unitsDevelop and manage critical external relationships ensuring strategic alignment of Kelly goals with their objectives

• Strategic CounselServe as primary strategic advisor to the CEO, CFO and executive leadership team; develop and curate Board-level strategy narrative and materialsSupport investor relations and broader external messaging storyline and enterprise positioningFacilitate executive team alignment on strategic priorities

• Cross-Functional GovernanceChair enterprise-wide strategic initiative governance forums; broker alignment across BU leaders on shared prioritiesDefine and track KPIs for strategy execution and accountabilityPartner with Finance, HR, and Operations on integrated planning

• Strategic Partnerships & AlliancesLead non-M&A strategic partnership development and negotiationIdentify and evaluate alliance opportunities that accelerate strategy; govern partnership performance and relationship managementRepresent Kelly in external strategic forums and industry bodies

Key Success Measures:

• Clearly defined, CEO- and Board-aligned 3 year strategic plan with measurable milestones, capital allocation guidance, and executive sponsorship in place
• CEO and Board confidence in the quality and cadence of strategic materials, reflected in Board feedback and executive team adoption of strategic governance frameworks
• Strong cross-functional relationships with BU presidents and functional leaders, evidenced by participation in and adoption of enterprise planning and governance processes
• Defined and robust Corporate Development processes including pipeline tracking and transparency, capital allocation priorities and opportunity evaluation criteria, due diligence and post deal integration
• Established and engaged partner portfolio for all facets of the strategic and corporate development lifecycles

Knowledge, Skills, and Experiences:

• 15+ years of progressive senior leadership experience spanning corporate strategy, corporate development, and enterprise execution — ideally combining top-tier management consulting or investment banking with in-house strategy leadership at a publicly traded, global organization
• Proven track record leading complex deals from origination to close, with demonstrated ability to govern M&A at pace and build repeatable deal processes
• Experience building and leading enterprise planning processes and advising C-suite and Board-level stakeholders with credibility and impact
• Rare combination of strategic intellect, deal acumen, and organizational influence to drive alignment across a complex, matrixed enterprise
• Polished communicator and effective steward of external narrative with investors, partners, and industry bodies
• Demonstrated ability to connect strategy to execution — sequencing, resourcing, and delivering transformation programs against strategic intent
• Strong cross-functional partnership skills; able to broker alignment across BU presidents and functional leaders without relying on positional authority
• Analytical rigor with the ability to build strategy from first principles, synthesizing market intelligence, competitive dynamics, and internal capability into clear, prioritized plans
• Fluency in AI-enabled strategy and analytics workflows, including applied use of AI tools for competitive intelligence, scenario modeling, and deal evaluation; working knowledge of leading CRM, program management, and productivity platforms

Location: Virtual / Remote

Travel: As required by business needs

The annual base pay for this position is listed below. Final compensation will be based on experience and may vary by geographic location.

$198,750.00 - $265,000.00

Total compensation package including benefits as applicable to the position – understanding that each person has unique professional and personal needs focused on your total well-being.  Explore our range of benefits at: Kelly Services | People Regular Staff

Kelly is an equal opportunity employer committed to employing a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce, including, but not limited to, race, gender, individuals with disabilities, protected veterans, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Equal Employment Opportunity is The Law.

About Us

Kelly is a team of experts driven by one belief: that the impact of the right person in the right job is limitless. Since inventing the staffing industry, we've spent 80 years helping people find work that enriches their lives and helping organizations build agile, high-performing workforces. Today, we operate across industries and geographies — from education and engineering to science, technology, and beyond — through staffing, outsourcing, and talent supply chain solutions designed to meet organizations wherever they are.

Together We Change Lives.

That belief shows up in everything we do. At Kelly, the right opportunity can change everything — for individuals, for businesses, and for the communities around them. No matter where you are in your career journey, you can apply your knowledge and passion to work that matters — contributing to real outcomes, growing your expertise, and helping shape Kelly's future. We're guided by a commitment to inclusion, integrity, and each other, building an environment where your contributions are valued and your impact is felt.