OT Strategy Leader

Summary We are seeking a highly skilled, strategic, and forward‑looking Operational Technology (OT) Strategy Leader to lead the digital transformation and enhance operational efficiency across our manufacturing plants. Reporting to the CISO / Director of IT and OT Infrastructure, this role will serve as a trusted advisor to plant leadership on OT technology strategy and emerging trends, and act as the primary liaison for plant engineering, maintenance, and control systems teams. The OT Strategy Leader will define and execute the strategy for modernizing, integrating, and managing the lifecycle of Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Advanced Process Control (APC), Operator Training & Simulation (OTS), and the broader OT landscape. This role ensures alignment with enterprise IT/OT cybersecurity, architecture, and infrastructure standards, while assessing current‑state capabilities, identifying gaps, and delivering a clear, actionable roadmap to a best‑in‑class future state supported by data‑driven business cases. Job Responsibilities Assess and document the current state OT/DCS technologies, control strategies, data flows, and system architectures in collaboration with site personnel. Develop and maintain a strategic roadmap for OT and DCS modernization, aligned with business priorities and cybersecurity standards. Drive and support digital transformation initiatives within OT environments, leveraging IIoT, data analytics, and automation technologies. Collaborate with IT and cybersecurity teams to ensure secure integration of OT systems with enterprise IT infrastructure. Collaborate with Enterprise Architect to ensure harmony and promote standardization, consistency and integration with overall enterprise architecture. Use data analysis and industry benchmarks to identify efficiency and reliability improvements across process control systems. Work with data and analytics teams to establish and mature the Digital Thread, enabling end‑to‑end visibility from operations through enterprise systems. Build and manage strategic partnerships with OT vendors, defining technology roadmaps that ensure reliable, scalable, and future‑ready OT infrastructure. Facilitate value stream mapping workshops and identify opportunities to eliminate waste, improve throughput, and optimize control and operational processes. Develop and present compelling, data‑driven business cases for OT investments, prioritizing initiatives based on ROI, risk reduction, and operational impact. Support the definition, adoption, and enforcement of OT standards and best practices for system lifecycle management, upgrades, and vendor governance. Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory requirements to ensure the OT strategy remains current, compliant, and forward‑looking. Promote knowledge sharing across plants and teams, fostering cross‑functional collaboration and consistent OT practices enterprise‑wide. Basic Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science or a related technical field. Minimum 10 years of experience in Operational Technology roles within manufacturing or chemical process industries. Deep understanding of Distributed Control Systems (DCS), PLCs, SCADA, HMI, and related industrial automation technologies. Proven experience in developing OT strategies, technology roadmaps, and supporting plant modernization projects. Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across engineering, IT, cybersecurity, and operations. Demonstrated ability to apply data-driven decision-making to identify opportunities for efficiency and improvement. What Success Looks Like in This Role Strategic Impact: A well-articulated and actionable OT roadmap is in place, endorsed by key stakeholders, and aligned with both business goals and security requirements. Collaboration & Influence: Strong, trust-based relationships are built with plant teams, and the consultant is seen as a go-to expert for OT-related guidance. Business Value: Tangible improvements in plant efficiency, reliability, and safety are realized through the successful implementation of prioritized OT initiatives. Cyber & Operational Alignment: OT systems are integrated with IT and cybersecurity frameworks, reducing risk while enabling innovation. Continuous Improvement: A culture of proactive OT management, standardization, and data-informed decision-making is embedded across sites. Enterprise Shaping: OT strategy influences broader enterprise technology direction, helping shape standards, architectures, and digital capabilities across the organization. The base salary range for this role is, $130,700 to 196,100 annually.