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Watchfire · 1 day ago

Director of Strategic Projects

Danville, IL

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

Watchfire Signs LLC is a leading manufacturer of premium digital signage, and they are seeking a highly capable and execution-oriented Director of Strategic Projects to partner with the CEO and Executive Leadership Team. This role involves driving critical strategic initiatives across product development and commercial efforts to support the company's growth and scalability.

Digital SignageElectronicsManufacturing

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Lead and own a portfolio of the Company’s most critical strategic initiatives across product, commercial, and operational domains, serving as the single point of accountability from concept through execution

Lead select major product development and commercialization programs in collaboration with R&D, Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain, ensuring solutions meet technical, cost, quality, and market requirements

Drive major commercial and go-to-market initiatives, including but not limited to: Design and launch of a loyalty program for third-party dealer representatives in the on-premise channel; Scaling, structuring, and enabling the Sports salesforce to support accelerated growth; Implementation of AI-enabled tools to enhance sales call preparation, account planning, and customer engagement

Partner closely with Sales, Marketing, and Channel leaders to ensure commercial initiatives improve productivity, effectiveness, and customer outcomes while aligning with broader company strategy

Coordinate stakeholders across R&D, Operations, Sales, Marketing, Finance, IT, Quality, and Customer Support to align priorities, resolve conflicts, and drive execution without direct authority

Establish clear project plans, milestones, budgets, resource requirements, and governance structures. Proactively identify risks, manage dependencies, and drive accountability

Ensure all strategic initiatives—product and commercial—are delivered in accordance with defined scope, timelines, and financial targets, with disciplined change management

Partner with IT and functional leaders to evaluate, select, and deploy enabling technologies (including AI tools) that materially improve execution, insight, and scalability

Prepare and deliver concise, data-driven updates to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, and Board highlighting progress, risks, decision points, and value realization

Ensure initiatives drive measurable impact across revenue growth, margin improvement, customer experience, and organizational effectiveness

Qualification

Strategic Program LeadershipCommercial & Go-to-Market ExperienceProduct & Manufacturing ExposureTechnology EnablementExecution DisciplineFinancial & Analytical AcumenChange LeadershipExecutive CommunicationCross-Functional InfluenceInterpersonal Skills

Required

Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, operations, marketing, or a related field required

Demonstrated success leading high-impact, enterprise-wide initiatives with clear ownership and measurable outcomes

Direct experience leading or supporting sales, marketing, channel, or customer-facing initiatives such as salesforce effectiveness, channel programs, pricing, or loyalty initiatives

Experience participating in new product development or major product enhancement programs within a manufacturing or technology-enabled environment

Experience evaluating and implementing tools that improve commercial or operational performance (e.g., CRM enhancements, AI-enabled sales tools, analytics platforms)

Proven ability to lead diverse teams and stakeholders without direct authority, balancing competing priorities and perspectives

Strong program management capabilities, including planning, governance, risk management, and performance tracking

Ability to manage budgets, assess ROI, and understand the financial impact of strategic initiatives

Comfort operating in ambiguous environments and driving adoption of new processes, tools, and ways of working

Ability to synthesize complex initiatives and communicate clearly with senior executives. Strong written and verbal communication skills

Strong sense of ownership and accountability with an intense drive for results

High integrity with a collaborative leadership style

Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple complex initiatives simultaneously

Influential communicator with strong EQ and stakeholder management skills

Structured problem-solver who brings clarity, rigor, and pragmatism to complex challenges

Preferred

MBA or advanced degree is a plus

Formal training or certification in project or program management is beneficial but not required

Benefits

Medical

Dental

Vision

Company Paid Life/ADD

Voluntary Life/ADD

Dependent Life/ADD

401k with Employer Match

Vacation

Personal Time

Company

Watchfire

Headquartered in Danville, Ill., Watchfire has manufactured electric signs since 1932 and LED signs, using meticulously sourced components from around the world, since 1998.

Founded in 1932