Western Digital · 5 hours ago
Senior Director, Strategy
San Jose, CA
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
12+ years expWestern Digital is a leader in data storage technology, seeking a Senior Director of Strategy to drive innovation in storage adjacencies and software platforms. This role involves identifying strategic opportunities and developing business models to enhance the company's value proposition and revenue streams in the evolving data storage ecosystem.
Big DataComputerHardwareManufacturingSoftware
Responsibilities
Identify 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
Develop 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
Evaluate 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
Develop 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
Evaluate new business models for storage including consumption-based pricing, outcome-based models, and managed services
Assess storage-as-a-service opportunities and requirements for Western Digital to compete in service-based models
Analyze financial implications and unit economics of alternative business models vs. traditional product sales
Evaluate capabilities, partnerships, and investments required to execute on new business models
Assess implications of business model shifts on go-to-market, operations, and organizational capabilities
Develop business cases and financial models for adjacency opportunities and new business model initiatives
Conduct rigorous strategic analysis of adjacency opportunities with clear recommendations for executive decision-making
Prepare 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
Partner 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 prioritization
Qualification
Required
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
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
Exceptional strategic thinking, deep expertise in platform strategy, two-sided markets, and ecosystem dynamics
Outstanding analytical/financial modeling skills, including business case development
Ability to identify emerging trends and non-obvious opportunities
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
Deep expertise in platform strategy, two-sided markets, and ecosystem dynamics (network effects)
Skill in designing and managing complex multi-party relationships
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
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
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
Benefits
Paid vacation time
Paid sick leave
Medical/dental/vision insurance
Life, accident and disability insurance
Tax-advantaged flexible spending and health savings accounts
Employee assistance program
Other voluntary benefit programs such as supplemental life and AD&D, legal plan, pet insurance, critical illness, accident and hospital indemnity
Tuition reimbursement
Transit
The Applause Program
Employee stock purchase plan
Western Digital Savings 401(k) Plan
Company
Western Digital
Western Digital helps customers capture, preserve, access, and transform an ever-increasing diversity of data.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
Western Digital has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (234)
2024 (537)
2023 (448)
2022 (580)
2021 (525)
2020 (332)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$901.37M2023-10-31Post Ipo Debt· $1.37M
2023-01-31Post Ipo Equity· $900M
2015-09-30Post Ipo Equity
Leadership Team
Sesh Tirumala
SVP, CIO
A
Alvin B. Phillips
Founder
Recent News
Mercury News
2026-01-23
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2026-01-22
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