Manager of Strategic Operations

Location: Chicago, IL Metro Area (highly preferred)
Ideal Backgrounds: Investment Banking, Private Equity, Management Consulting, Corporate Strategy, Corporate Development, Strategic Finance, M&A, Transaction Advisory, or FP&A
Base Salary: $130,000 - $150,000 + Annual Bonus Opportunity
Compensation will be determined based on experience, education, specialized skills, and overall qualifications.
Travel: Approximately 25%

About the Opportunity

Shields Health Solutions is seeking a Strategic Operations Manager to partner closely with our Executive Leadership Team on high-impact growth initiatives, operational excellence, business transformation, and enterprise strategy. This role is ideal for professionals with experience in Investment Banking, Private Equity, Management Consulting, Corporate Strategy, Corporate Development, Strategic Finance, M&A, or other highly analytical, fast-paced environments who are looking to transition into a leadership-track role within a rapidly growing healthcare organization.

You'll work on the company's most critical business priorities, including financial modeling, market analysis, business case development, growth strategy, operational improvement initiatives, and executive-level decision support. This position offers exceptional exposure to senior leadership and serves as a proven pathway into broader leadership opportunities across the organization.

What You'll Do

• Partner directly with Executive Leadership to execute key strategic initiatives and business priorities.
• Lead cross-functional projects from concept through implementation.
• Develop financial models, business cases, investment analyses, and executive recommendations to support growth opportunities and strategic partnerships.
• Work with regional operations teams to identify and execute revenue growth, performance improvement, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Conduct market research, competitive analysis, and strategic assessments to evaluate business opportunities and industry trends.
• Support executive decision-making through data-driven insights and recommendations.
• Assist with board presentations, executive communications, strategic planning, and leadership reporting.
• Evaluate new business opportunities, acquisitions, partnerships, and expansion initiatives.
• Drive business transformation projects and help optimize organizational performance across key functional areas.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 3+ years of experience in Investment Banking, Private Equity, Management Consulting, Corporate Strategy, Corporate Development, Strategic Finance, FP&A, Transaction Advisory Services, M&A, Business Operations, or a similarly rigorous analytical environment.
• Strong financial modeling, valuation, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint proficiency.
• Experience building executive-level presentations and communicating recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong business acumen, strategic thinking, and quantitative analysis capabilities.
• Self-starter who thrives in an entrepreneurial, growth-oriented culture.
• Exceptional communication, collaboration, stakeholder management, and project management skills.

Why Join Shields?

• Direct access to Executive Leadership and key decision-makers.
• Exposure to corporate strategy, operations, business development, growth initiatives, and innovation.
• Opportunity to make a measurable impact on a high-growth healthcare company.
• Clear path toward leadership and growth-focused roles across the organization.
• Dynamic, collaborative, and results-driven culture.
• Opportunity to leverage your investment banking, consulting, strategic finance, or private equity experience in an operating role with significant visibility and influence.

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Solid computer skills are required, including proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) for communication, documentation, and data management, as well as, navigating the internet and web-based platforms. Data entry and computer skills will be evaluated through an assessment as part of the pre-employment process.

Shields Health Solutions provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.