Sr. Director, Corporate Strategy & Automation

About the Team

Our Finance team ensure we are accountable and on track to company strategies. Their responsibilities include forecasting, in-season management, and analysis across business units. From sales and margin to operations and expenses, our Finance team provides consistent, accurate information to cross-functional partners to support PetSmart's growth initiatives.

About the Location

Collaborative Work Environment:
At PetSmart, teamwork and connection are core to how we thrive. This role is based at our Phoenix Home Office, with an expectation of working a minimum of four days in the office each week. In a standard work week, associates may work up to one remote “flex day” (with leader approval). Our hybrid approach is designed to foster strong collaboration while also supporting flexibility and individual success.

About the Job

Role Overview

The Senior Director of Corporate Strategy & Automation is a senior enterprise leader responsible for governing, advancing, and enabling execution of PetSmart’s long-range strategy. Reporting to the SVP of Finance & Strategy, this role ensures PetSmart’s multi-year strategy and Long-Range Plan are translated into measurable outcomes, embedded in financial planning, and accelerated through automation.

This role leads PetSmart’s Corporate Strategy function, including Test & Measure and Automation, and provides direct leadership to a director-level leader. The Senior Director partners closely with EPMO, FP&A, Finance leadership, Technology, and business leaders to drive strategic alignment, execution discipline, and enterprise efficiency.

 

Key Responsibilities

 

Enterprise Strategy Governance and Execution

• Serve as enterprise owner of PetSmart’s Long-Range Plan and multi-year strategy, governing process, priorities, and outcomes over time

• Lead strategy governance processes, including executive reviews, progress tracking, risk identification, and course correction

• Partner with senior leaders to translate strategic priorities into clear initiatives, milestones, and success metrics

• Ensure alignment between enterprise strategy, annual operating plans, capital allocation, and financial forecasts

Leadership of Automation

• Provide senior leadership and strategic direction to the Director of Automation, ensuring automation, analytics, and AI-enabled initiatives align with enterprise strategy and FP&A priorities

• Set strategic guardrails, investment priorities, and success metrics for automation and advanced analytics initiatives

• Partner with Finance, Technology, and business leaders to identify and prioritize opportunities for efficiency, scalability, and improved decision-making

• Ensure automation and analytics investments deliver measurable improvements in productivity, cost, capacity, and insight generation

Team Leadership and Capability Building

• Lead a lean, high-impact organization spanning Corporate Strategy, Test and Measure, and Automation and Analytics

• Develop and mentor senior leaders and team members, fostering effective collaboration across strategy, finance, and execution enablement

• Advance enterprise strategy, analytics, and automation capabilities through disciplined operating models and best practices

Financial and Strategic Analysis

• Oversee strategic and financial analyses to evaluate initiatives, investments, and trade-offs across revenue, cost, EBITDA, ROI, and long-term value creation

• Ensure rigorous analytical standards and clear, compelling executive-level communication

• Leverage test-and-measure capabilities to assess initiative performance and inform decision-making

Executive Partnership and Influence

• Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to senior leaders across Finance, Strategy, and the broader enterprise

• Identify, evaluate, and enable execution of new value-creating initiatives across the organization

• Facilitate alignment and decision-making among leaders with diverse priorities and perspectives

• Drive clarity, accountability, and momentum across complex, cross-functional initiatives

Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is a strategic, pragmatic, and execution-oriented leader who translates enterprise strategy into sustained business results. They are comfortable operating at the intersection of strategy, finance, analytics, and execution, and excel at influencing without reliance on large teams or formal authority. This individual brings excellent judgment, intellectual rigor, and a collaborative leadership style, while confidently advancing priorities with urgency and discipline.

 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred

• 10+ years of progressive experience in corporate strategy, strategic planning, FP&A, consulting, or related roles

• Experience in retail, consumer products, or consumer services strongly preferred

• Proven track record leading complex, cross-functional initiatives with measurable business impact

• Demonstrated experience governing enterprise strategies, transformation initiatives, or long-range plans

Additional Job Considerations

• This role requires collaboration, teamwork, and face-to-face interaction with colleagues, leaders, and/or clients.
• Being in the office ensures access to leaders, cross-functional partners, and resources necessary to make timely decisions and drive results.
• On-site presence in accordance with our FlexSmart policy supports our culture of innovation, mentorship, and engagement, which is integral to our success in developing the best team.

* This is not intended to be an all-inclusive, exhaustive list of all essential job functions for this position. PetSmart retains the right to change or assign other required job duties to this position.

About the Culture

At PetSmart, Anything for Pets begins with our people. Every associate plays a vital role in creating meaningful experiences for pets and their families, and we empower our teams with the tools, resources, and opportunities to grow and succeed. 

 

We’re more than a workplace, we’re Team PetSmart. Together, we grow, collaborate, and challenge ourselves to be the best in all we do. Our culture is built on belonging and shared purpose, where every voice and experience matters. Guided by our values, we strive to do what’s right, lead responsibly, and bring our passion for pets to life every day. Not sure if you meet 100% of the position requirements and whether you should apply? We’d still like to hear from you and encourage you to apply with us! You might be the right fit for this role or another opportunity across Team PetSmart.

 

Our home office offers outstanding amenities in a fun and rewarding workplace including:

• Pet-friendly environment, bring your pets to work and enjoy the on-site dog park!
• On-Site Events & Adoptions, enjoy community-building opportunities, including pet adoption days, seasonal celebrations, family events, art events, & holiday festivals
• “Top Dog” gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists, personal trainers, and wellness spaces
• “Sit & Stay” Café serving fresh breakfast and lunch options, snacks, & more
• “Lil Paws” NAEYC-accredited onsite childcare facility providing high-quality early education
• Paid Volunteer Opportunities to spend time doing good for causes close to heart
• Print Center and Business Services, Dry Cleaning, Mother's Rooms, Sustainable Infrastructure & more

 

PetSmart provides an equal opportunity for all associates and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics.

At PetSmart, Anything for Pets begins with our people. Every associate plays a vital role in creating meaningful experiences for pets and their families, and we empower our teams with the tools, resources, and opportunities to grow and succeed. 

 

We’re more than a workplace, we’re Team PetSmart. Together, we grow, collaborate, and challenge ourselves to be the best in all we do. Our culture is built on belonging and shared purpose, where every voice and experience matters. Guided by our values, we strive to do what’s right, lead responsibly, and bring our passion for pets to life every day. Not sure if you meet 100% of the position requirements and whether you should apply? We’d still like to hear from you and encourage you to apply with us! You might be the right fit for this role or another opportunity across Team PetSmart.

 

Our home office offers outstanding amenities in a fun and rewarding workplace including:

• Pet-friendly environment, bring your pets to work and enjoy the on-site dog park!
• On-Site Events & Adoptions, enjoy community-building opportunities, including pet adoption days, seasonal celebrations, family events, art events, & holiday festivals
• “Top Dog” gym with equipment, fitness classes, massage therapists, personal trainers, and wellness spaces
• “Sit & Stay” Café serving fresh breakfast and lunch options, snacks, & more
• “Lil Paws” NAEYC-accredited onsite childcare facility providing high-quality early education
• Paid Volunteer Opportunities to spend time doing good for causes close to heart
• Print Center and Business Services, Dry Cleaning, Mother's Rooms, Sustainable Infrastructure & more</