Project Lead, Strategic Planning & Operations

Druva•Santa Clara, CA

4h•$112,000 - $157,333

About The Position

Druva is a pioneer and market leader in fully managed SaaS data protection, helping organizations secure and recover their data from ransomware, cyberattacks, and operational disruptions. The Office of the CEO team partners closely with the CEO and executive team to drive company-wide initiatives from concept to execution. This role operates with significant autonomy, sets the approach for high-stakes cross-functional initiatives, and is trusted to represent the Office of the CEO directly with senior stakeholders. This is a high-impact, high-visibility role reporting into the Office of the CEO, with the latitude to shape how the company plans, decides, and executes at the highest level.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, Engineering, or a related field; MBA a plus.
3-5+ years of professional experience, ideally within top-tier consulting, corporate strategy, or a high-growth SaaS environment.
Established track record of partnering directly with, advising, and influencing senior/executive leadership on high-stakes decisions.
Deep understanding of business operations, strategy development, and SaaS business models, with the judgment to apply that understanding independently.
Demonstrated ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy and ambiguity — setting direction, not just executing against it — while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal skills; high emotional intelligence and executive presence, with the adaptability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities, including the ability to structure ambiguous problems from scratch.
Demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality and navigate highly sensitive information with integrity and discretion.
Advanced proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, and standard modern business tools.
Working knowledge of AI/LLM-based tools (e.g., Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, or similar) and how to apply them to accelerate research, synthesis, drafting, and data analysis; comfort evaluating where AI tools can improve the speed and quality of strategic work, and judgment about their limitations in high-stakes or confidential contexts.

Responsibilities

Independently drive research and analysis on complex business trends, competitive dynamics, and market conditions to inform CEO- and board-level decision-making.
Synthesize ambiguous or incomplete data into clear strategic recommendations, proactively identifying risks and opportunities before they're raised.
Serve as a trusted thought partner to senior leaders, shaping strategic narratives rather than simply supporting them.
Own end-to-end delivery of the company's highest-priority, most complex initiatives, often spanning multiple departments, external stakeholders, and ambiguous scope.
Set project strategy, timelines, and success metrics with minimal oversight; anticipate roadblocks and course-correct proactively.
Act as a primary liaison across departments and with executive stakeholders, resolving cross-functional conflicts and driving alignment at the leadership level.
Deliver polished, executive-ready updates directly to the CEO and executive staff, exercising judgment on what to escalate versus own independently.
Support the design and execution of the corporate operating rhythm (Company All Hands, Quarterly Business Reviews, E-Staff Meetings), including agenda strategy, executive content development, and follow-through on action items.
Continuously improve how the company plans and communicates at the executive level, introducing new frameworks or processes as needed.