Overview
Managing Director, Head of Strategic Initiatives Jobs in San Francisco, CA at Cresset
Title: Managing Director, Head of Strategic Initiatives
Company: Cresset
Location: San Francisco, CA
About Cresset
Cresset is a firm built by clients, for clients. As an independent, award-winning multi-family office and private investment firm, we are reimagining the way wealth is experienced. Our purpose is to help ensure that both wealth and life are fully optimized—integrated, intentional, and aligned with each client’s vision of success.
We provide access to the caliber of talent, ideas, and investment opportunities typically available to the largest single-family offices and institutions. Our approach is personalized, entrepreneurial, and client-first.
Proudly owned by our clients and employees, Cresset was built to endure. We are creating a 100+ year firm—one focused on delivering an exceptional experience, not only for the families we serve but for the team that serves them. Recognized by Barron’s and Forbes among the nation’s top RIA firms, and as one of the industry’s best places to work,* Cresset is guided by long-term relationships, shared success, and a belief that wealth should serve a life well lived.
Job Summary
Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Managing Director, Head of Strategic Initiatives drives enterprise-wide strategic planning, governance, alignment, and execution across Cresset. As a trusted partner and advisor to the CEO and senior leadership team, this individual works closely with leaders and team members across the firm to help define the firm’s short- and long-term strategic priorities, translate vision into actionable initiatives, and ensure disciplined execution against the firm’s most important business objectives.
This role operates at the center of the organization, providing enterprise-wide visibility across key initiatives, business priorities, operational challenges, and growth opportunities. The Managing Director, Head of Strategic Initiatives facilitates alignment across leadership, helps surface and resolve complex organizational issues, and drives accountability for execution in a dynamic and fast-growing environment.
The ideal candidate brings a combination of strategic rigor, executive presence, operational discipline, and strong business judgment, with prior experience in management consulting, financial services, or similarly complex, high-performance organizations. This individual must be highly collaborative, intellectually curious, exceptionally organized, and capable of influencing across teams without formal authority. The role requires regular travel with members of the executive leadership team and a high degree of discretion in handling sensitive and confidential business matters.
Key Responsibilities
Enterprise Strategy & Planning
- Partner closely with the CEO and Management Committee to develop, communicate, and execute Cresset’s enterprise strategy and long-term business priorities.
- Lead Cresset’s strategic planning process, including development of multi-year strategic objectives, annual goals, and enterprise-level initiatives.
- Partner with Finance and senior leaders to translate strategic priorities into measurable outcomes and scorecards.
Executive Governance & Decision Support
- Design and manage the operating cadence for the Board of Directors, Management Committee, Executive Leadership team, and other senior leadership forums.
- Develop agendas, materials, executive presentations, and follow-up processes that support focused discussion, clear decisions, and paths to execution.
- Synthesize complex business issues into clear recommendations, decision points, and recommended action plans.
Strategic Execution & Accountability
- Monitor progress against strategic initiatives, identify risks or execution gaps, and proactively escalate issues requiring leadership attention.
- Help establish governance structures, accountability frameworks, and operating rhythms for emerging initiatives and enterprise programs.
- Maintain an enterprise-wide view of priorities, organizational dynamics, and cross-functional dependencies.
Enterprise Initiatives & Cross-Functional Leadership
- Lead or support high-priority cross-functional initiatives, transformation efforts, and special projects on behalf of the CEO and executive leadership team such as AI enablement, data governance, operational scalability, and business continuity planning.
- Partner across Advisory, Investments, Technology, Operations, Finance, Marketing, HR, Legal, and Compliance to drive enterprise-wide coordination and execution.
- Support enterprise change management efforts and help drive organizational alignment during periods of growth and evolution.
Leadership Team Support
- Serve as a trusted, strategic thought partner to executive leadership on organizational priorities and business challenges.
- Represent the CEO and/or Management Committee in select internal and external meetings, as appropriate.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree required. MBA or other advanced degree strongly preferred.
- 10+ years of experience in management consulting, strategy, financial services, professional services, or related executive advisory roles.
- Prior experience working closely with senior executives and leadership teams in highly dynamic, fast-paced organizations.
- Demonstrated success leading enterprise-wide strategic initiatives and cross-functional execution efforts.
Strategic, Analytical, & Business Judgment
- Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to break down complex business issues into actionable plans.
- Strong organizational and operational discipline with exceptional attention to detail and follow-through.
- Strong analytical and financial acumen, including experience evaluating business performance, operational priorities, and strategic tradeoffs.
Executive Communication Skills
- Strong executive presence with the ability to influence, challenge, and collaborate effectively across senior leadership teams.
- Outstanding communication and presentation skills, including the ability to synthesize and distill complex topics for executive audiences.
Leadership Style
- Collaborative, low-ego leadership style with a strong orientation toward enterprise success and team alignment.
- Proven ability to drive accountability and execution across multiple stakeholders without direct reporting authority.
- Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity, shifting priorities, and complex organizational dynamics with sound judgment and composure.
- High level of discretion, integrity, and professionalism in handling confidential and sensitive business matters.
Additional Role Expectations
- Willingness to travel regularly in support of executive leadership and firm initiatives.
What We Offer:
At Cresset, we focus on people first. As a service business, our people are our assets. Engaging our clients and employees is our highest priority. Starting base salary range is $225,000 – $275,000. Salary will be based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, licenses/certifications, industry knowledge, and geographic location. Cresset offers a competitive compensation package including an annual incentive and a benefits package to all full-time employees including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, health savings accounts, short and long-term disability insurance, voluntary critical and accident insurance, and pre-tax parking and transportation programs. Aligning employee and organizational interests, all employees receive equity in Cresset.
Equal Employment Opportunity
It is the policy of Cresset to ensure equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, or related conditions), national origin or ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, uniformed servicemember status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a parent, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. It is Cresset’s policy to comply with applicable laws concerning the employment of persons with disabilities, including reasonable accommodation for applicants and employees with disabilities.
*Disclosures related to awards, recognitions, and rankings available here.
Cresset refers to Cresset Capital Management, and all its respective subsidiaries and affiliates. Cresset Asset Management, LLC, also conducts advisory business under the names of Cresset Sports & Entertainment, CH Investment Partners, and Cresset Capital. Cresset provides investment advisory, family office, and other services to individuals, families, and institutional clients. Cresset also provides investment advisory services to investment vehicles investing in private equity, real estate, and other investment opportunities. Cresset Asset Management, LLC is an SEC registered investment advisor. SEC registration does not imply any specific level of skill or training.
