Sr. Manager, Marketing Strategy & Business Operations (Hybrid - Seattle, WA)

Nordstrom•Seattle, WA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Nordstrom is seeking a Sr. Manager, Marketing Strategy & Business Operations to serve as a strategic business partner and force multiplier to the Chief Marketing Officer. Marketing at Nordstrom is in the middle of a significant transformation — reimagining how we connect with customers, how we operate as an organization, and how we harness AI to drive smarter, faster, and more personalized experiences at scale. This role will be the operating force that turns strategy into action — keeping the CMO focused on the highest-leverage work, connecting marketing to the broader enterprise, and actively driving the priorities that define Nordstrom’s marketing future, including building a world-class loyalty program, winning the next generation of younger customers, and delivering relevance at scale powered by AI. This position demands someone who thinks like a strategist, operates like an owner, and knows how to create clarity in the middle of complexity. A day in the life… Strategic Planning & Execution Support: Partner with the CMO to refine and maintain strategic roadmaps that align with business rhythms and organizational priorities. Translate high-level vision into actionable plans with clear milestones, owners, and success metrics. Proactively monitor progress across initiatives, identify roadblocks early, and facilitate solutions that keep teams on track. Organizational Effectiveness & Operations: Drive operational excellence by establishing planning disciplines, governance frameworks, and meeting effectiveness standards across the marketing organization. Own the cadence and structure of leadership meetings, business reviews, townhalls and other cross-functional forums. Assess current decision-making processes and recommend improvements that increase speed and clarity. Cross-Functional Coordination & Alignment: Serve as the central coordination point for complex, cross-functional initiatives spanning marketing, digital, customer experience, merchandising, store operations, and technology. Facilitate alignment across diverse stakeholders, ensuring clear communication, accountability, and follow-through. Break down organizational silos and drive collaboration that accelerates execution and maximizes impact. Change Leadership & Transformation Enablement: Maintain a forward-facing perspective on how AI and emerging capabilities are reshaping marketing — bringing that lens into planning conversations and helping the organization build new ways of working, and identify opportunities to drive effective change management and build organizational capabilities. Navigate ambiguity with professionalism and discretion, proposing workable solutions to challenging problems. Executive Communications & Stakeholder Management: Lead the preparation of executive communications, board presentations, and leadership updates on behalf of the CMO. Synthesize complex information into clear, compelling narratives. Manage stakeholder engagement and ensure consistent messaging across the organization. Project & Initiative Management: Support and manage key strategic initiatives, providing thought leadership and ensuring successful delivery. Drive complex projects that require coordination across multiple functions and stakeholders. Establish project governance, track progress, manage dependencies, and escalate issues appropriately. Ensure projects deliver on time, on budget, and with expected impact.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, or related field required; MBA strongly preferred
8+ years of progressive experience in chief of staff, business operations, management consulting, or strategic planning roles
5+ years of experience working directly with C-suite executives and senior leadership teams
Proven track record managing complex, cross-functional initiatives in large organizations
Strong business acumen with ability to understand marketing, customer experience, and retail operations
Exceptional organizational skills with ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
Experience building and implementing operational frameworks, processes, and governance structures
Experience or interest in AI and modern marketing technology — you do not need to be a technologist, but you need to be a credible and curious voice in those rooms
Strong proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint for strategic planning, analysis, and executive presentations.

Nice To Haves

Background in management consulting (McKinsey, Bain, BCG) or corporate strategy a plus

Responsibilities

Partner with the CMO to refine and maintain strategic roadmaps that align with business rhythms and organizational priorities.
Translate high-level vision into actionable plans with clear milestones, owners, and success metrics.
Proactively monitor progress across initiatives, identify roadblocks early, and facilitate solutions that keep teams on track.
Drive operational excellence by establishing planning disciplines, governance frameworks, and meeting effectiveness standards across the marketing organization.
Own the cadence and structure of leadership meetings, business reviews, townhalls and other cross-functional forums.
Assess current decision-making processes and recommend improvements that increase speed and clarity.
Serve as the central coordination point for complex, cross-functional initiatives spanning marketing, digital, customer experience, merchandising, store operations, and technology.
Facilitate alignment across diverse stakeholders, ensuring clear communication, accountability, and follow-through.
Break down organizational silos and drive collaboration that accelerates execution and maximizes impact.
Maintain a forward-facing perspective on how AI and emerging capabilities are reshaping marketing — bringing that lens into planning conversations and helping the organization build new ways of working, and identify opportunities to drive effective change management and build organizational capabilities.
Navigate ambiguity with professionalism and discretion, proposing workable solutions to challenging problems.
Lead the preparation of executive communications, board presentations, and leadership updates on behalf of the CMO.
Synthesize complex information into clear, compelling narratives.
Manage stakeholder engagement and ensure consistent messaging across the organization.
Support and manage key strategic initiatives, providing thought leadership and ensuring successful delivery.
Drive complex projects that require coordination across multiple functions and stakeholders.
Establish project governance, track progress, manage dependencies, and escalate issues appropriately.
Ensure projects deliver on time, on budget, and with expected impact.