Director of Strategic Initiatives & Integration

Director of Strategic Initiatives and Integration

Location: Western Chicago Suburbs

A national, private equity-backed leader in the air filtration manufacturing and distribution space is seeking a Director of Strategic Initiatives and Integration to join their growing leadership team. This organization is actively executing a roll-up strategy and currently operates multiple manufacturing and distribution sites across North America, providing high-performance air filtration solutions for healthcare, education, high-tech, and other mission-critical environments.

About The Role

Reporting to the VP of Strategic Initiatives, the Director will play a critical role in leading cross-functional initiatives that support rapid organizational growth and transformation. From M&A integration to process reengineering and operational execution, this individual will oversee and drive high-impact projects that align with executive strategy.

This is a high-visibility role suited for a seasoned project leader with exceptional execution capabilities, strong stakeholder management skills, and a demonstrated ability to thrive in dynamic, high-growth environments. Candidates with prior consulting experience (especially from firms like MBB, Big 4, boutique strategy, or operations-focused consultancies) are strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead strategic projects from planning through deployment, including acquisition integration, business transformation, and operational efficiency efforts.
• Develop and manage project scopes, timelines, budgets, and resource plans; adjust and escalate as needed to ensure objectives are met.
• Collaborate closely with executives and functional leaders to align project outcomes with enterprise goals.
• Establish and maintain processes for tracking performance, managing change, and mitigating risks.
• Act as a liaison between internal teams and third-party partners to ensure smooth communication and accountability.
• Proactively manage resistance to change and facilitate buy-in across stakeholder groups.
• Deliver clear, consistent updates and insights to executive leadership.
  
  

Ideal Candidate Profile

• 6+ years of progressive experience in project management, transformation, or strategy execution roles.
• Proven success leading cross-functional projects, ideally in industrial or manufacturing settings.
• Strong preference for candidates with management consulting experience (M&A integration, operations strategy, or org design).
• Demonstrated ability to influence and communicate at all levels of an organization.
• Skilled in change management principles and organizational redesign.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency with project management tools.
  
  

This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of a fast-growing, PE-backed enterprise while tackling some of the most complex and rewarding strategic challenges in the business.