Vans: Manager, Business Operations & Strategy

Vans • Full-time • Costa Mesa, CA, US • 3w ago

Now that you’ve found the job description, what’s next?

Vans is the original brand rooted in the authentic lifestyle of skateboarding. We are driven by our mission to inspire and empower everyone to live “Off The Wall” – embracing the youthful spirit of freedom, non-conformity, and relentless progression. Yesterday’s “Off The Wall” moment is today’s new normal, and at Vans, we believe in constantly outdoing ourselves. Together with our communities across the globe, our vision is to push culture forward because we believe that the pursuit of progression never ends. We are constantly inspired by the future generation of positive catalysts within our community.

So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us – our values and our culture. If you can see yourself working side-by-side with a team of people who think and live “Off the Wall,” Vans just may be the place for you.

To learn more about our values and our culture, visit Vans Careers or www.vans.com.

What will you do?

A day in the life of a Manager, Business Operations & Strategy at Vans looks a little like this.

Reporting to the Director, Business Operations & Strategy, this role is a key enabler of how the Vans business operates day to day. Serving as a strategic support partner to senior leadership, the Manager strengthens operating rigor across the organization by enhancing processes, driving cross‑functional coordination, and translating strategic direction into actionable workstreams.

This highly cross‑functional role operates in a fast‑moving, ambiguous environment with regular exposure to senior leaders. Partnering closely with teams across functions and regions, the Manager develops frameworks, analyzes business performance, and supports execution against clear priorities, KPIs, and long‑term financial and operational objectives.

Let’s break down that day-in-the-life a bit more.

Support shaping and operationalizing Vans’ long‑term growth strategy, including KPI tracking, strategic frameworks, and initiative management.
Develop and maintain business operating rhythms, including meeting cadences, reporting templates, decision frameworks, and governance tools that enhance cross‑functional alignment and disciplined execution.
Contribute to the development and management of the 5‑Year Long Range Plan (LRP) by owning workstreams such as financial modeling, data synthesis, process coordination, and cross‑functional alignment.
Assist in the creation of executive‑level presentations, including Board of Directors materials, long‑range strategy updates, and ELT business reviews.
Act as a connector across functions (Brand, Product, Merchandising, DTC, Wholesale, Finance, Operations) to drive clarity, timelines, and follow‑through on key initiatives.
Support cross‑functional strategic initiatives aimed at revenue growth, margin improvement, cost discipline, and operational efficiency. Own components of these initiatives end‑to‑end, from problem framing to execution support.
Manage and execute project workstreams that are complex and often ambiguous, ensuring issues are scoped accurately, milestones are tracked, and risks are escalated.
Serve as a strategic thought partner by gathering inputs, conducting analysis, stress‑testing proposals, and helping shape clear, fact‑based recommendations.
Conduct research and analysis—market, consumer, competitive, category, and channel—to inform strategic decision‑making and support investment trade‑offs.
Manage and update global dashboards, reporting, and executive summaries, including quarterly business reviews, KPI updates, and ad‑hoc reporting requests.

What do you need to succeed?

We all have unique skills that we bring to work and celebrate every day. For this role, there are foundation skills you’ll need to succeed and excel. Additionally, while formal education in a related field is great to have, we are most interested in your 5-7 years of experience and professional achievements.

The foundation skills you will need in this position are:

Structured problem solving: Breaks ambiguity into clear hypotheses and data‑driven recommendations.
Analytical & financial acumen: Understands business drivers, builds models, and connects KPIs to P&L impact.
Executive communication: Synthesizes complexity into crisp narratives and executive‑ready materials.
Cross‑functional project management: Plans, sequences, and drives coordinated work across teams.
Stakeholder influence: Builds trust, aligns diverse perspectives, and drives follow‑through without authority.
Operating model & process design: Creates simple, scalable frameworks, cadences, and governance for clarity and speed.
Market/competitive insight: Gathers and synthesizes external signals to inform strategic choices.

What do we offer you?

At Vans, we know you expect as much from us as we do from you. That is why we make a commitment to support and grow our people. We offer extensive development and growth opportunities for your current and future positions, a competitive compensation package, and a strong benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and 401(k).

Our commitment extends beyond this and into your daily work life. We strive to foster a diverse and inclusive culture based on respect, connection, and authenticity. Our focus on DEI is at the foundation of who we are and what we do.

To learn more about Vans’ benefits package, follow this MyVFBenefits.com and click “Looking to Join VF”.

To learn more about Vans‘ Diversity and Inclusion efforts, go to www.vans.com.

Now WE have a question for YOU.

Are you in?

Hiring Range:

$112,320.00 USD - $140,400.00 USD annually

Incentive Potential: This position is eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential. Specific details of the additional compensation eligibility for this position will be provided during the recruiting and interview process.

Benefits at VF Corporation: You can review a general overview of each benefit program offered, including this year's medical plan rates on www.MyVFbenefits.com and by clicking Looking to Join VF? Detailed information on your benefits will be provided during the hiring process.

Please note, our hiring ranges are determined and built from market pay data. In determining the specific compensation for this position, we comply with all local, state, and federal laws.

At VF, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us at peopleservices@vfc.com. VF will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals to the extent required by applicable law.

Pursuant to all applicable local Fair Chance Ordinance requirements, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, VF will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.