Associate Director Business Strategy

You want more out of a career. A place to share your ideas freely - even if they're daring or different. Where the true you can learn, grow, and thrive. At Verizon, we power and empower how people live, work and play by connecting them to what brings them joy. We do what we love - driving innovation, creativity, and impact in the world. Our V Team is a community of people who anticipate, lead, and believe that listening is where learning begins. In crisis and in celebration, we come together - lifting our communities and building trust in how we show up, everywhere & always. Want in? Join the #VTeamLife.

The Associate Director of Strategy will be responsible for shaping and executing the strategic growth and partnership initiatives for Verizon's AI Connect (AIC) portfolio. This leadership role, supporting the Senior Director of Business Development & Strategy, will oversee the strategic roadmap, manage relationships with key ecosystem players (including GPU and data center providers), and drive cross-play commercial strategy to ensure revenue and EBITDA growth.

Success in this position requires expertise in AI infrastructure and edge compute markets, alongside the ability to collaborate with internal and external cross-functional teams to align strategic initiatives with broader organizational goals. The leader will manage end-to-end partner relationships, establish commercial governance, and communicate the AIC vision to stakeholders at all levels.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of 4 direct reports focused on Product Integration, Ecosystem Strategy, Market & Growth, and Strategy & Performance. Cultivate a culture of operational excellence, empowering members to take ownership of their initiatives.

• Define and execute the AIC growth strategy, strategic roadmap, and new market/adjacency opportunity pipeline.

• Identify, establish, and manage strategic partnerships with GPU providers, data center operators, and cloud infrastructure partners. Manage end-to-end partner relationships, program KPIs, and commercial contract negotiations.

• Drive cross-play commercial strategy and Space, Power & Cooling business development and GTM execution, ensuring initiatives are tracked against their underlying business case commitments.

• Maintain visibility into business case commitments against AIC strategic initiatives, flagging dependencies and delivery risks to leadership early.

• Collaborate across teams (Finance, Product & Segment Marketing, Tech Solutions, TPD, GTS, Legal) to facilitate product launch efforts, ensuring stakeholder alignment andsmooth execution.

• Cultivate a culture of operational excellence and accountability within the team, empowering members to excel and take ownership of their initiatives.

This position can be located in other valid Verizon locations.

• Bachelor's degree or four or more years of work experience.

• Eight or more years of relevant experience required, demonstrated through one or a combination of work and/or military experience, or specialized training.

• Eight or more years of work experience in product/platform, partnership, or technical experience in B2B companies.

• Six or more years of partner-facing experience.

• A Master's degree - ideally an MBA.

• Analytical and critical thinking skills.

• Deep technical knowledge of the VBG portfolio.Experience in Business Development, Corporate Strategy, or specialized AI/Cloud BD roles.

• Exceptional communication skills; written, oral and presentation.

• Executive grade presentation skills with emphasis on storytelling and cross-functionalalignment.

• Convey your ideas in compelling and persuasive ways to a variety of audiences.

• Proven ability to manage deadlines in a highly-complex, fast-paced environment.

• Experiencing leading teams, especially cross-functional teams, with the ability to executeon multiple assignments independently and proactively.

• Mentor team members, foster their growth, and identify areas for skill enhancement.

• Experience working in an evolving and collaborative environment and workingcross-functionally with all levels of management, both internally and externally.

• Experience developing strong working relationships inside and outside of Verizon.

If Verizon and this role sound like a fit for you, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every "even better" qualification listed above.

Verizon is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristics.

Our benefits are designed to help you move forward in your career, and in areas of your life outside of Verizon. From health and wellness benefit options including: medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability, basic life insurance, supplemental life insurance, AD&D insurance, identity theft protection, pet insurance and group home & auto insurance. We also offer a matched 401(k) savings plan, up to 8 company paid holidays per year and up to 6 personal days per year, paid parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition assistance, plus other incentives, we've got you covered with our award-winning total rewards package. Depending on the role, employees have the opportunity to receive compensation in the form of premium pay such as overtime, shift differential, holiday pay, allowances, etc. Newly hired employees receive up to 15 days of vacation per year, which grows with additional service. For part-timers, your coverage will vary as you may be eligible for some of these benefits depending on your individual circumstances.