Senior Director, Strategy

Senior Director, StrategyWestern Digital is seeking a strategic leader to identify and evaluate new business opportunities in storage adjacencies, software platforms, and emerging business models. This role will focus on strategic opportunities beyond our core hardware business, including software-defined storage, tiered storage solutions, platform partnerships, and innovative business models to serve hyperscalers, neoclouds, sovereign clouds, and OEM partners. The Senior Director will serve as the company's strategic thought leader on how Western Digital can expand its value proposition and capture new revenue streams in the evolving data storage ecosystem.This is a pure strategy and business development role requiring deep expertise in cloud infrastructure, software platforms, and emerging storage business models. The ideal candidate will bring a management consulting background with experience advising technology companies on platform strategy, ecosystem development, and business model innovation. This role reports to the VP of Corporate Strategy.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Opportunity Identification & AssessmentIdentify and evaluate high-value strategic opportunities in storage adjacencies (software, platforms, services, new business models).Assess market opportunities in Software-Defined Storage (SDS), storage management platforms, data orchestration, and tiered storage solutions.Evaluate emerging business models (Storage-as-a-Service, consumption-based pricing, platform partnerships).Develop frameworks for assessing build vs. buy vs. partner decisions for software and platform opportunities.Identify white space opportunities where Western Digital's capabilities create unique competitive advantages, analyzing the strategic fit and value creation potential relative to the core hardware business.Market & Customer StrategyDevelop strategic approaches for serving hyperscale, neoclouds, and sovereign cloud initiatives.Analyze customer infrastructure trends and storage requirements that extend beyond hardware.Evaluate opportunities for differentiated solutions for emerging segments (e.g., edge computing, private/hybrid cloud).Assess evolving OEM partnership models for deeper value chain integration.Understand customer Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) drivers and map buying behaviors for integrated solutions versus component purchases.Software & Platform StrategyEvaluate opportunities in storage management software, data placement, and intelligent tiering solutions.Assess Software-Defined Storage (SDS) architectures and Western Digital's potential role in the ecosystem.Analyze platform partnership opportunities with cloud providers, System Integrators (SIs), and infrastructure software vendors.Evaluate API strategies, developer ecosystems, and platform business models relevant to storage.Assess opportunities to leverage WD's storage expertise through software intelligence and optimization layers.Analyze the competitive landscape in storage software to identify differentiation opportunities.Partnership & Ecosystem DevelopmentDevelop and execute strategic partnership frameworks for software vendors, cloud providers, and system integrators.Evaluate potential strategic partners and alliances within the storage ecosystem.Assess diverse partnership models (licensing, co-development, joint ventures, revenue sharing).Analyze ecosystem dynamics to build platform effects and network value.Evaluate sovereign cloud initiatives globally for partnership opportunities.Support business development teams with strategic frameworks for partner evaluation and deal structuring.Business Model InnovationEvaluate new business models for storage including consumption-based pricing, outcome-based models, and managed servicesAssess storage-as-a-service opportunities and requirements for Western Digital to compete in service-based modelsAnalyze financial implications and unit economics of alternative business models vs. traditional product salesEvaluate capabilities, partnerships, and investments required to execute on new business modelsAssess implications of business model shifts on go-to-market, operations, and organizational capabilitiesDevelop business cases and financial models for adjacency opportunities and new business model initiativesStrategic Analysis & Executive CommunicationConduct rigorous strategic analysis of adjacency opportunities with clear recommendations for executive decision-makingPrepare strategic deep-dives and prepared executive and board briefings on storage adjacency strategies, translating complex platform and ecosystem opportunities into clear, actionable C-suite and investment priorities.Synthesize market research, customer insights, and competitive intelligence into strategic recommendations and thought leadership on industry evolution and business model disruption.Cross-Functional CollaborationPartner with Strategy to identify integrated solutions and cross-selling opportunities.Collaborate with Product Management and Engineering on platform roadmaps, technical feasibility and feature prioritization for adjacency initiatives.Work with Business Development and Corporate Development on partnership evaluation, M&A targets, and deal execution.Engage Sales and Marketing to understand customer needs and validate strategic assumptions.Collaborate with Finance on financial modeling, business case development, and investment prioritizationQualificationsExperience: 12+ years in management consulting, corporate strategy, or business development with a focus on technology platforms and ecosystems. 5+ years at a top-tier management consulting firm strongly preferred.Expertise: Proven track record developing platform strategies, ecosystem frameworks, and business model innovations for technology companies. Deep experience with cloud infrastructure, neo clouds, data storage, or enterprise infrastructure markets is strongly preferred.Skills: Exceptional strategic thinking, deep expertise in platform strategy, two-sided markets, and ecosystem dynamics. Outstanding analytical/financial modeling skills, including business case development.Core Competencies: Strategic Vision: Ability to identify emerging trends and non-obvious opportunities.Technical & Market Knowledge: Strong technical understanding of emerging trends in AI infrastructure and edge computing alongside cloud architectures and data storage requirements across hyperscale, neo cloud, sovereign and enterprise segments.Platform Thinking: Deep expertise in platform strategy, two-sided markets, and ecosystem dynamics (network effects).Ecosystem Orchestration: Skill in designing and managing complex multi-party relationships.Communication & Influence: Proven ability to craft compelling strategic narratives and translate technical/market complexity into clear, actionable executive recommendations. Ability to drive alignment across organizational boundaries and influence C-suite decisions.Education: MBA from a top-tier business school is required. Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related analytical field is required.Preferred Qualifications:Direct consulting experience advising storage, cloud infrastructure, or enterprise software companies.Experience with platform strategy projects including marketplace development, ecosystem strategy, or API strategies.Background in business development or corporate development with experience structuring strategic partnerships.Prior experience working with or for hyperscale cloud providers (AWS, Azure, GCP) or large OEMs.Knowledge of sovereign cloud initiatives in Europe, Asia-Pacific, or Middle East regions.Experience with M&A due diligence or strategic investment evaluation in software or platforms.Familiarity with open-source software models and community-driven platform development.International business experience, including understanding of regional market dynamics and partnership models.Performance Metrics:Quality and impact of strategic recommendations on adjacency investment decisionsIdentification of high-value strategic opportunities that lead to partnership or investment decisionsRigor and clarity of business cases and strategic analyses for adjacency opportunitiesEffectiveness in influencing executive strategy and resource allocation for new initiativesStakeholder satisfaction across executive leadership and cross-functional partnersContribution to partnership pipeline and deal flow in storage adjacenciesQuality of strategic thought leadership on storage industry evolution and business model innovationLocation:San Jose, California (primary)Flexibility for remote work within established company policies25-35% travel including domestic and international travel to meet with