Director, Strategic Cost Reduction
We’re passionate, we’re collaborative and we are growing.
AArete is looking for a Director to join rapidly growing the Strategic Cost Reduction service line primarily focused on identifying and implementing cost reduction strategies for our clients.
In this role, an emphasis on non-labor cost reduction, strategic sourcing, outsourcing advisory and procurement process optimization.
You are results driven and highly strategic with an entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence.
You will be part of a team that brings deep functional, technical, industry and project management knowledge to each client engagement.
As an AArete Director, you fill a pivotal role demonstrating in-depth practical and technical knowledge and project management and execution experience.
The joint focus of this role is to successfully lead and co-lead business development conversations with existing and potential new clients and ensure teams execute on project goals and delivers tangible financial results to clients.
You will bring deep knowledge of strategic sourcing, experience building strong client relationships, and insights gained through cross-industry and previous consulting experience.
You will have the opportunity to work across a broad range of industries including financial services, healthcare, retail, and media & technology.
As a Director at AArete you will lead high performing teams, while mentoring and developing team members in both technical expertise and soft skills.
Primary Responsibilities:
Client Relationship Management
- Developing and maintaining excellent client relationships, including demonstrated track record of directly interfacing with C-suite executives in a sales setting
- Act as sourcing subject matter expert with clients to identify, develop and deploy best practice procurement and supplier management
- Provide in-depth analysis and thought leadership around an organizations spend categories, supplier assessment and negotiation strategies
- Management of complex initiatives and oversight of engagement quality
- Maintain strong profitability for each project
- Develop strong relationships with the clients that evolve beyond the contracted assignment and leverage this relationship to initiate future engagement opportunities
- Lead and execute project extension and expansion discussions
Project Management
- Lead multiple teams to develop and execute on client’s financial goals and operational metrics
- Creating and delivering innovative and deeply analysis driven Business Cases, savings analysis and negotiation strategies for presentations to senior management to support recommended actions and direction
- Ensure project profitability while delivering significant measurable financial results and ROI to top tier clients
- Manage complex projects to client expectations while managing risks and budget and communicating appropriately with all levels within AArete
Business Development
- Utilize excellent communication, interpersonal skills, and techniques to sell premium services/solutions to convert prospects, close deals and achieve business growth
- Team with others to qualify opportunities involving multiple key decision makers
- Communicate a value proposition using and demonstrating an agile mindset to connect with executive decision makers
- Support business development marketing efforts and proposal activities through networking activities
Leadership
- Train, develop, mentor and provide on the job feedback to Managers and below
- Formulate and communicate our corporate vision, create a shared sense of purpose and inspire others
- Actively participate in the recruiting process through interviewing, referrals, and other opportunities to promote AArete
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in a Business discipline from a top institution, with a strong GPA and demonstrated leadership, MBA a plus but not required
- Minimum 8+ years of client facing work experience with a leading professional-service firm
- Top Tier management consulting or Big 4 Firm strongly preferred
- Very strong professional communication skills including written, verbal, interpersonal and in-person presentation expertise
- Strong track-record of problem-solving, including structuring problems, performing detailed analysis, and developing recommendations for executive level buy-in
- Knowledge of and experience with leading teams to perform complex data analytics, innovative problem solving, and a results driven mindset
- Willingness to be measured by clients on implemented savings and bottom-line value creation as well as firm revenue responsibility
- Experience growing a solution or service line through delivery of solutions, expansion of new solutions responding to the needs of the market, and personal network-based business development
- Enthusiasm for joining a fast-paced, high growth company
- Interest in taking advantage of career advancement opportunities within AArete and a growing solution offering
- Willingness and ability to travel commensurate with industry standards – typical travel in this role can be 50%
– 90%+, however as we adjust to a Post-COVID environment, we expect travel through Q2 2021 to be limited and reduced beyond that timeframe
It is an exciting time to join the AArete team.
Come join the company named in Vault’s Top 50 Firms to Work For 2019, Crains Chicago Business Fast 50 for the 3rd time, Inc 5000’s Fastest Growing Firms list for the 4th consecutive year and Consulting Magazines Fastest Growing Firms for the 4th consecutive year.