Vans: Manager, Business Operations & Strategy

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?

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