Director of Strategy

Dutch Bros Coffee•Phoenix, AZ

1d•$190,000•Onsite

About The Position

It's fun to work in a company where people truly believe in what they are doing. At Dutch Bros Coffee, we are more than just a coffee company. We are a fun-loving, mind-blowing company that makes a difference one cup at a time. Position Overview We are seeking a Director of Strategy to lead enterprise strategy and shape how decisions are made across the organization. This is one of the most critical roles in the company, directly supporting the CEO and influencing how priorities are set, resources are allocated, and outcomes are delivered. This leader will operate with a high degree of ownership - driving, defining, and operationalizing strategy to accelerate business performance. The Director will participate in weekly Executive Tactical meetings and work closely with senior leadership to surface competitive and strategic insights and drive clarity, accountability, and execution across the business. This role requires a proactive, independent operator who thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment and can move seamlessly from ambiguity to action. In parallel, this leader will define and lead the company’s AI strategy from a business lense - identifying high-impact opportunities, aligning initiatives to company priorities, and ensuring measurable business outcomes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required; MBA strongly preferred
10+ years of experience across top-tier strategy consulting and/or corporate strategy & business operations in a high-growth environment
Experience in QSR, restaurant, retail, or multi-unit consumer business strongly preferred
Demonstrated experience leading enterprise-level strategy and cross-functional initiatives
Ability to roll-up sleeves and perform complex data and competitive analyses
Experience leading or supporting AI, digital, or advanced analytics initiatives from a business or strategy perspective (technical expertise not required)
Proven ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, fast-scaling environments
Strong track record of influencing senior executives and driving alignment
Location Requirement: This role is located in Tempe, AZ. This position is required to be in office 4 days per week (Mon-Thurs); Fridays are optional remote work days.
Proactive and self-directed - does not wait for direction; anticipates needs and drives work forward
Operates independently with strong judgment in ambiguous, fast-changing environments
Enterprise influencer—able to align and mobilize senior leaders without formal authority
Holds leaders accountable to commitments, timelines, and outcomes
Clear, concise, and confident executive communicator
Must be able to work in a busy, crowded, and loud office with frequent distractions and interruptions
Must be able to collaborate in-person with occasional impromptu in-person meetings
Adaptability to typical office conditions, which may include exposure to air conditioning, heating, artificial lighting, and varying noise levels
Ability to sit, stand, reach, twist, stretch, and work at a desk for long stretches. Must be able to occasionally move or lift office items up to 25 pounds
Hearing must be sufficient or correctable to ensure clear understanding of spoken information, including participating in virtual meetings and phone calls. Use of hearing aids or other assistive devices is acceptable if needed.
Ability to read and write in English is essential for processing documents, drafting reports, and following up on necessary actions. Proficiency in written communication is required to handle job-related tasks effectively.
Vision must be adequate or correctable to perform essential job duties, such as reading documents on a computer screen and using other visual tools. Use of corrective lenses or other measures to meet visual requirements is expected if needed.
Must be proficient in operating a computer and other office productivity tools such as printers, scanners, and collaboration software.
Must possess strong verbal and written communication skills to interact effectively with team members, clients, and other stakeholders via email, video conferencing, and other in office communication tools.

Nice To Haves

MBA strongly preferred
Experience in QSR, restaurant, retail, or multi-unit consumer business strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Enterprise Strategy Leadership: Drive and operationalize the company’s annual and long-range strategic plan
Define enterprise priorities, success metrics, and initiative roadmaps in partnership with executive leadership
Translate strategy into clear execution plans, including sequencing, resourcing, and accountability
Continuously assess business performance and proactively adjust strategic direction to ensure outcomes
AI Strategy & Transformation: Define and lead the company’s AI strategy and roadmap from a business perspective, ensuring alignment to company priorities, value creation opportunities, and measurable operational impact
Identify, prioritize, and scale high-impact AI use cases across operations, customer experience, marketing, and support functions
Ability to partner with technical leaders to translate business priorities into AI-enabled solutions, ensuring feasibility, scalability, and adoption
Executive Partnership & Influence: Partner directly with the CEO and executive leadership to drive decision-making on the company’s most critical priorities
Surface risks, tradeoffs, and opportunities early, ensuring leadership has clarity to act quickly and effectively
Participate in weekly Executive Tactical meetings, defining scorecards, shaping discussions, decisions, and follow-through
Develop clear, compelling materials for executive, board, and investor audiences that drive alignment and enable high-quality decision-making
Establish a high bar for structured thinking and executive storytelling, elevating how strategic narratives are communicated across the organization
Strategic Initiative Leadership: Own and lead the company’s highest-priority, cross-functional initiatives from concept through execution
Define success metrics upfront and ensure delivery of measurable outcomes
Drive alignment and accountability across functions (Operations, Finance, Marketing, Development, Technology, Legal, and People)
Proactively identify and remove barriers to execution