Strategy & Performance Manager

ABOUT NEXTSTEP

NextStep connects top consulting talent with high-potential opportunities through smart, AI-powered matching. We partner with ambitious companies across sectors to place experienced professionals in roles where they can have a real impact. On behalf of a client in our partner network, we are looking for a Strategy & Performance Manager.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Our client is a diversified energy company headquartered in Chicago, operating across power generation, energy services, and infrastructure investment. They manage a large and complex portfolio of assets, serve both commercial and public sector clients, and are navigating a significant strategic transition toward lower-carbon operations. The strategy function plays a central role in how leadership allocates capital, prioritises transformation initiatives, and communicates with investors and the board.

THE ROLE

As Strategy and Performance Manager, you will sit at the intersection of strategic planning and business performance, ensuring the company has the analytical and governance infrastructure to make good decisions and track them rigorously. You will lead strategy workstreams, own the performance management cycle, and act as a key link between business unit leadership and the group centre. The role has genuine breadth and is well-suited to someone who wants to understand a large, complex business from the inside.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Lead the annual strategic planning process across the group, coordinating input from four business units into a coherent group-level strategy narrative for the board and executive team.

• Own the corporate performance management cycle, including KPI definition, target setting, monthly business reviews, and reporting to the executive committee.

• Develop and maintain strategic performance dashboards and analytical tools that give leadership a clear, current view of business trajectory.

• Lead or contribute to high-priority strategic projects, including portfolio reviews, market entry assessments, and capital allocation decisions.

• Support the Head of Strategy in preparing materials for the board, investors, and external stakeholders.

• Work closely with Finance, Risk, and Business Unit leadership to ensure strategic and financial planning processes are aligned.

• Track industry trends, regulatory developments, and competitive dynamics relevant to the company's energy transition agenda.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• 6+ years of experience in strategy, corporate planning, or management consulting, with meaningful exposure to energy, utilities, or infrastructure sectors.

• Strong experience designing and running planning and performance management processes in a large or complex organisation.

• Excellent financial literacy; comfortable working with budgets, forecasts, and capital allocation frameworks.

• Structured communicator able to synthesise complex business unit inputs into clear, executive-level materials.

• Proven ability to manage relationships with senior stakeholders across multiple business units and functions.

• Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to bring order to processes that are still being defined.

• Genuine interest in the energy sector and the commercial and strategic challenges of the energy transition.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Base salary of $140,000 - $170,000, determined based on experience and scope.

• Annual performance bonus reflective of individual contribution and business unit outcomes.

• Additional benefits, including health, dental, 401(k), and generous PTO, are detailed as part of the full offer package.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered for this role, please create your profile at getnextstep.com https://getnextstep.com/candidate/landing?utm_medium=job-board&utm_source=job-board. Once your profile is complete, our matching system will evaluate your background against the role criteria and match you with the company if it's a strong fit. No cover letter required.

This role is listed by NextStep on behalf of our client. All applications are handled with confidentiality.