We are seeking a strategic, results-driven Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives to lead Advance Auto Parts' most critical enterprise priorities. This high-impact leader will oversee a small, high-performing team responsible for translating C-suite strategy into execution, driving complex cross-functional initiatives, solving the company's most challenging business problems, and delivering measurable results. The role combines hands-on leadership with executive influence, requiring close partnership with senior leadership and regular communication of progress, risks, and outcomes to the CEO and C-suite. Success in this role requires strong ownership, exceptional problem-solving skills, and the ability to drive high-stakes initiatives forward in a complex, matrixed organization. 

Location & Work Availability:   

This position is Hybrid (4 days in office, 1 day remote), based at our corporate headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina.    

What will you do? 

• Lead Critical Initiatives: Own and drive large-scale, cross-functional initiatives from concept through execution, scaling, and delivery of results 

• Executive Partnership: Work directly with the CEO, C-suite, and senior leaders to align on priorities, shape execution plans, and ensure outcomes 

• Team Leadership & Talent Development: Identify, hire, onboard, coach, develop, and retain team members while delegating work effectively, providing feedback, and creating growth opportunities. Focus on building next generation leaders for the company. 

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Drive alignment across enterprise functions, business units, and senior stakeholders to remove barriers, accelerate decisions, and maintain momentum  

• Program Ownership & Delivery: Shepherd complex initiatives through a matrixed organization, ensuring clear accountability, timelines, and results 

• Strategic Problem Solving: Proactively identify risks and roadblocks, diagnose root causes, and implement practical, results-oriented solutions 

• Internal Implementation Leadership: Act as an internal implementation leader—bringing structured thinking, data-driven insights, and hands-on execution support  

• Performance Management: Define KPIs, track progress, and establish reporting to ensure initiatives deliver measurable business impact 

• Stakeholder & Partner Management: Build and manage strong relationships with executive sponsors and key stakeholders to drive decisions and maintain momentum 

Qualifications: 

• Proven experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives in a matrixed organization 

• Proven people leader with experience delegating work, coaching team members, providing actionable feedback, and developing talent through exposure to high-impact enterprise work  

• Strong strategic thinker with an ability to translate ambiguity into clear plans and actions 

• Demonstrated track record of owning and delivering high-impact, business-critical work 

• Exceptional problem-solving skills with a bias toward action and results 

• Ability to influence and align senior stakeholders, including the CEO, C-suite, and executive leadership teams  

• Experience operating as an internal consultant or in strategy/consulting roles 

• Strong operational discipline with the ability to drive accountability and execution across team 

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to synthesize complex information and present concise, decision-ready recommendations to senior executives and Board-level audiences  

Certifications, Experience, and Education: 

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, Strategy, or a related field is required. An advanced degree such as an MBA, Project Management, Change Management, or a relevant graduate degree is strongly preferred 

• Experience: 10+ years of experience in enterprise transformation, program management, change management, or related roles, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership capacity. Project Management or Change Management certification (PMP, CCMP, Prosci) is a plus 

• Enterprise Transformation & Execution Leadership: Proven experience leading large, cross‑functional initiatives in complex, ambiguous environments, with accountability for results 

• Executive & Cross‑Functional Influence: Ability to partner with and influence senior leaders across functions without direct authority   

• Metrics, Financial Acumen & Business Insight: Strong analytical skills with experience defining success metrics, tracking ROI, and tying initiatives to measurable business outcomes  

• Clear Executive Communication: Ability to distill complex information into concise, decision‑ready insights for senior leadership  

• Industry Context: Experience in retail, distribution, or consumer‑focused organizations preferred