Senior Manager, Strategy (Advanced Manufacturing and Services)

For more than 20 years, corporations, governments, and philanthropies have hired Next Street to strengthen the small businesses they rely on. Founded in 2005 as a Boston-based consultancy advising a selection of small local businesses, Next Street has evolved into the leading national small business solutions firm impacting more than 200,000 entrepreneurs across the country each year. We maintain our unwavering commitment and specialized expertise in small business support on behalf of our clients.

Over the years, our work has impacted more than 4 million small businesses, connecting them with more than 50,000 hours of advisory services, $6 billion in capital and $10 billion in contracts.

Today, we provide end-to-end solutions — from ecosystem assessments and strategies to resource platforms and accelerators — for these clients to propel the small businesses in their communities and supply chains. Our solutions ultimately help small businesses, whether they are solo entrepreneurs or advanced suppliers, to unlock new revenue, build wealth, and reinvest in their communities. We believe that with the right support, America's small business owners will be the engines driving new economic growth across the country.

Next Street is a certified B-corporation that is committed to becoming an anti-racist organization to represent the small businesses we strive to serve. Through this commitment, inclusivity is integral to our DNA, and our values are embedded in every aspect of our work. 

Join us, and together, we will live into our values, pursue fulfilling careers, and transform our society.

Why this Role?

Next Street’s Strategy Group is seeking a Senior Manager to lead high-impact work strengthening small business ecosystems and supply chains, with a particular focus on advanced manufacturing and services.

Operating as a project team leader, you will own client engagements end-to-end—structuring complex problems, leading rigorous analysis, and advising senior client leaders. You will lead small, high-performing teams of 3–5 Analysts, Associates, and Managers, translating data and research into actionable recommendations. You will also contribute to practice development through mentoring, recruiting, knowledge building, and thought leadership, with a clear trajectory toward broader leadership.

Your work will focus on client relationship management, project leadership, research and analytics, team development, and business development, all while addressing some of the country’s most complex economic and community development challenges.

What You’ll Do

Client Management and Project Delivery

• Lead 2–3 concurrent client engagements, owning end-to-end delivery, quality, and outcomes
• Structure complex, ambiguous problems into clear hypotheses, workplans, and analytical approaches
• Apply expertise in advanced manufacturing, industrial services, engineering, construction, and related supply chains to diagnose challenges and design solutions
• Translate analysis into clear, actionable recommendations and serve as a trusted advisor to senior client leaders
• Manage engagement scope, timelines, staffing, and financial performance to ensure effective execution

Analytics, Data, and Research

• Lead research and analytics initiatives that inform both client needs and Next Street’s point of view
• Frame research questions and oversee quantitative and qualitative analysis across market, financial, organizational, and supply chain topics
• Synthesize complex datasets into clear narratives, visuals, and implications for decision-makers
• Develop thought leadership deliverables—including frameworks, briefs, reports, presentations, and convenings—focused on small business, advanced manufacturing and services, and macroeconomic growth
• Build repeatable analytical tools, datasets, and methodologies that strengthen firm capabilities and scalability

People Management and Team Leadership

• Lead and develop small, high-performing teams of Analysts, Associates, and Managers
• Set direction, coach through ambiguity, and elevate analytical rigor and delivery quality
• Provide ongoing feedback, mentorship, and performance guidance to support professional growth for team members

Business Development

• Identify new business development opportunities with existing and prospective clients
• Support business development processes through pitch meetings, client discussions, and proposal development
• Partner with senior leaders to expand client relationships and contribute to engagement pipelines

Why you?

You are an experienced consultant and team leader who combines analytical rigor, client judgment, and a commitment to impact. You bring:

• 5–7+ years of experience in strategy consulting, management consulting, or a related professional services environment, with increasing responsibility over time
• 2+ years of experience leading project teams and managing client relationships in an Engagement Manager or Project Leader-type role
• Ideal experience working in or with advanced manufacturing, industrial services, engineering, construction, infrastructure, or related supply chains
• Strong ability to structure ambiguous problems, develop hypotheses, and drive rigorous quantitative and qualitative analysis
• Experience leading research and data-driven analytics, translating complex findings into clear, executive-ready insights
• Clear, concise communication skills, including comfort presenting to and influencing senior leaders
• Advanced proficiency in PowerPoint and Excel, with a commitment to high-quality, well-structured deliverables
• A track record of delivering complex work on time while managing scope, teams, and priorities
• Experience coaching and developing junior professionals, with a collaborative and inclusive leadership style
• Motivation to apply your skills to mission-driven work focused on small business growth, supply chains, and inclusive economic development

What we offer:

We want our team members to bring their best, true selves to work every day. We will offer you:

• Competitive salary and benefits – We know you work hard, and we want to reward you for it. We offer competitive salaries and generous benefits packages (including 401k and paid parental leave) for mission-driven work.
• Generous paid time off – We want to ensure you have time to recharge and to pursue your many passions. We give our team members 20 days of paid time off per year, inclusive federal holidays, volunteer days and more!
• Mentorship and Sponsorship – You will have frequent access to our diverse and dynamic senior team. They will be committed to your growth and will invest in mentoring you.
• Career development – We take growth seriously. We give each team member an annual professional development stipend and provide ample coaching.
• Flexibility – It is important that you work when and where you work best. We are flexible with employees to accommodate individual schedules and work preferences. This includes a low travel mode during non-pandemic times.
• Social events and perks – We admire and value our teammates. We plan events throughout the year and provide office snacks so you can perform your best every day and more!

Next Street believes in an equitable and transparent compensation approach. The starting salary for Associate positions across the firm is $138,400 - $146,900 regardless of location and commensurate with experience. This role is based in New York. You will be eligible to participate annually in Next Street’s discretionary incentive program. For new hires, Next Street targets the start of the salary band, although considerations could be made based on job knowledge, skills, and experience. As part of our Antiracism commitment, Next Street uses a pay scale approach and transparent methodology to advance staff within a compensation band based on performance.

Next Street is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

 Note: We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.