Hire the Best Strategic Planning Specialists
in the United States

Clients rate our Strategic Planning specialists
Rating is 4.8 out of 5.
4.8/5
Based on 103 client reviews
Michael H.

Thompson's Station, Tennessee

$75/hr
5.0
2 jobs

Would your project benefit from a proven leader who can deliver large-scale construction and development projects on time, on budget, and to the highest standards? With leadership roles at global firms including Lend Lease, Balfour Beatty, and Cortland Partners, and high-profile projects such as Trump Tower Chicago and federal contracts with the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, and the NSA, I bring expertise trusted on projects exceeding $1B, supported by certifications as a PMP, CCM, and LEED AP B&C. What sets my work apart is a perspective shaped over 20+ years in executive leadership and consulting, always rooted in the owner’s point of view. My belief in transparency, accountability, and building processes that deliver value far beyond a single project means my clients get more than a consultant—they gain a trusted partner committed to their success. Beyond the boardroom, my passions for music, motorcycles, and competitive sports fuel the creativity, resilience, and perspective that clients value in my leadership style. Continue reading below to learn how my experience can help your projects succeed. Construction & Development Project Management Managing complex projects is not just about blueprints and budgets—it’s about safeguarding every decision with the owner’s best interest in mind. Over the course of my career, I’ve overseen the design, construction, and development of $6B+ in multifamily, student housing, senior living, hospitality, and PPP projects. As Vice President of Construction, I played a leadership role in delivering Trump Tower Chicago, while also securing and managing government and military contracts in excess of $1.2B. As a certified LEED AP, I also guide teams in integrating sustainable building practices, ensuring compliance with green programs such as LEED Certification and Energy Star while keeping cost and schedule goals firmly on track. Because of this winning combination of sustainability and project leadership, you get a partner who can elevate performance, reduce risk, and create long-term value. Let’s discuss how your next development can benefit from project leadership that delivers results. Leadership, Training & Mentorship Strong projects are built on strong teams. Throughout my executive career, I’ve developed and implemented Project Management Training Programs for national firms, ensuring project managers had the tools and confidence to succeed. Having led workshops in leadership development, project management, and people skills, while also providing one-on-one coaching and mentorship for executives and emerging leaders means you get a mentor who doesn’t just manage projects but also empowers teams to perform at their best. My training approach blends practical field knowledge with proven frameworks like PMP and CCM, giving your people both the structure and confidence to deliver. Clients consistently see faster onboarding, fewer mistakes, and more consistent execution after my programs. See my portfolio for examples of my work. Business Development & Strategic Consulting Scaling a business requires vision, systems, and the ability to seize the right opportunities. During my time at Lend Lease, I was part of the executive leadership team that drove revenue growth from $60M to $1.4B annually. With Hale Storm Consulting, I’ve helped organizations secure over $4.4B in Public Private Partnership awards and significant federal contracts, including $800M in DoD MILCON projects. Because of this experience, you get a strategic consultant who understands how to increase profitability, improve processes, and position your company to win. My work in proposal development, RFP strategy, pre-construction planning, and value engineering consistently leads to stronger bids and higher margins. My clients trust me to design processes that reduce inefficiency, eliminate waste, and create long-term growth. When your business needs scalable growth and winning strategies, I’m here to help.

  • Business Planning & Strategy
  • Business Strategy
  • Management Consulting
  • Business Coaching
  • Business Development
  • Business Proposal Writing
  • Process Improvement
  • Budget Management
  • Cost Control
  • Quality Assurance
  • Project Management
  • Project Schedule & Milestones
  • LEED Consulting
  • Training & Development
  • Real Estate Business Plan
Brian F.

Austin, Texas

$100/hr
4.4
73 jobs

As a highly accomplished strategy consultant with experience at Mars & Co. (BCG spinoff), I bring a track record of delivering exceptional results and driving business growth for companies across various industries. With a specialization in corporate development, new market innovation, and strategic partnerships, I have consistently made a significant impact on organizations' bottom lines. I have successfully led and executed strategic initiatives, such as mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships, that have resulted in substantial business growth and market expansion. Through my in-depth market research, financial evaluations, and competitor analysis, I have identified lucrative investment opportunities and provided insightful recommendations to drive profitability and market share. One of my key strengths lies in my ability to develop and implement effective new market entry strategies. By leveraging cross-functional teams and harnessing market insights, I have orchestrated successful market launches, driving significant revenue growth and establishing a strong foothold in competitive markets. My expertise extends beyond strategic execution to fostering innovation and driving collaborative efforts. I have actively fostered strategic alliances and leveraged partnerships to fuel innovation, gain a competitive edge, and deliver cutting-edge solutions to clients. By staying abreast of market trends, customer needs, and technological advancements, I have consistently developed innovative strategies that have reshaped industries and generated sustainable value for businesses. Throughout my career, I have demonstrated exceptional leadership, communication, and project management skills, ensuring the alignment of goals and objectives across organizations. I thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments and excel at delivering measurable results that exceed client expectations. If you are seeking a seasoned consultant who can deliver transformative outcomes and provide strategic guidance for your business, I am confident in my ability to bring significant value to your organization. I am eager to contribute my expertise and partner with you in achieving your business objectives.

  • Business Strategy
  • Competitive Analysis
  • Growth Strategy
  • Market Research
  • Strategy
  • Data Analysis
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Google Sheets
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Communication Strategy
  • Ecommerce
  • Zapier
  • Financial Analysis
  • Business Valuation
  • Pricing
Charles P.

Mims, Florida

$60/hr
5.0
91 jobs

Charles has built organizations, businesses, and the value that sustains them for over 11 years. He is thoughtful, determined, and deeply committed to problem-solving. ⭑ Featured on Upwork's Times Square Billboard for Excellence in Data Mining and Management ⭑ Expert-Vetted by Upwork as a Top 1% Management Consultant Charles specializes in helping businesses build healthy cultures, stable systems, and resilient operations. Guided by faith, he holds himself to a much higher standard than can reasonably be asked in professional work, ensuring complete accountability. Charles is a retired professional athlete, a world-class kitesurfer, a musician, and a lifelong learner. He is one of the most joyful people you will ever meet. When you're ready to see a difference, reach out, set up a contract with Charles, and experience the impact so many others have.

  • Business Consulting
  • Business Plan
  • Management Consulting
  • Market Research
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Presentation Design
  • Airtable
  • Communications
  • Organizational Plan
  • Aviation
  • Business Writing
  • Database Management
  • Program Management
Mary Katherine T.

O'Fallon, Missouri

$175/hr
5.0
4 jobs

Most organizations aren't struggling because of a lack of effort. They're struggling because their priorities are misaligned, their strategy isn't translating to execution, and their people are working hard on the wrong things; often while going through change they were never fully prepared for. That is exactly where I come in. I'm Dr. Mary Kay Taylor, an organizational transformation, change management, and AI strategy consultant, and former Chief of Staff, with 20+ years of experience helping leaders and organizations cut through complexity and build the structures, clarity, and accountability systems that produce real results. My background spans Chief of Staff and enterprise change leadership roles, organizational development, and learning & development so I don't just design the strategy; I know how to build the readiness, governance, and capability systems that make it stick. What I do differently: Most consultants wait for you to define the problem. I diagnose what is actually wrong, often something you can't see from inside your own system. I identify the misalignment hiding underneath all the activity. I name the priorities that are pulling in the wrong direction. And then I build the strategic, operational, and change framework to fix it and make sure your people actually adopt it. I work with leaders who are ready to be challenged, because real clarity almost always requires it. WHO I WORK WITH: • Organizations and leadership teams at strategic inflection points: growth, leadership transition, AI adoption, operational transformation • Leaders who have a strategy on paper but can't translate it to execution • Teams that are misaligned: competing priorities, disconnected initiatives, activity without results • Organizations navigating major change (technology, restructuring, M&A) who need structured change management and readiness planning to protect adoption • Leaders who need an outside perspective that tells them the truth, not what they want to hear • Industries: Healthcare | Technology | Consulting | Operations | Professional Services | Financial Services | Academic & Research Institutions WHAT YOU WALK AWAY WITH: • Strategic clarity — priorities aligned to what actually matters • Governance and accountability structures that hold without micromanaging • AI roadmaps tied to your business strategy, not to trends or vendor promises • Change readiness and adoption plans (ADKAR-based) that keep initiatives from stalling after go-live • Execution frameworks your team can sustain without me in the room • The confidence that you are pointed in the right direction and equipped to get there ENGAGEMENTS I OFFER: • Strategic Alignment Assessments (diagnostic + written recommendations) • AI Readiness Assessment & Roadmap • Executive Strategy Advisory (ongoing hourly) / Chief of Staff Support • Change Management & Organizational Readiness (ADKAR-based — impact assessments, readiness assessments, stakeholder engagement, adoption planning) • Learning & Development / Capability Building Strategy • Workshop Facilitation (half-day and full-day) • PMO / Portfolio Strategy & Governance • Organizational Transformation Planning A NOTE ON HOW I WORK: I do not do the work for you. I make you capable of doing it yourself, and I hold you to the standard you set for your organization. If you are looking for someone to validate what you already believe, I am probably not your consultant. If you are ready to get honest about what is not working and build something better — let's talk. CREDENTIALS: • Dr. Mary Kay Taylor, MBA, GTML, CSSMBB • Certified Change Management Practitioner (APMG) • 20+ years: Organizational Transformation | Change Management | Operational Excellence | AI Strategy | Talent & Leadership Development • Industries: Healthcare | Technology | Consulting | Operations | Financial Services | Academic & Research • Upwork: 5.0 Rating | Rising Talent Ready to get clear on what's actually holding your organization back? Schedule a Discovery Call and let's find out.

  • Strategic Planning
  • Business Strategy
  • Corporate Strategy
  • Management Consulting
  • Strategy
  • Change Management
  • Organizational Design & Effectiveness
  • Process Improvement
  • Organizational Plan
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Project Portfolio Management
  • Business Transformation
  • Value Stream Mapping
  • Lean Consulting
  • Leadership Development
  • AI Governance
  • AI Consulting
  • Executive Coaching
  • Training & Development
Jaylyne R.

New Rochelle, New York

$55/hr
5.0
18 jobs

Operations and strategy professional with 6+ years of experience supporting leadership teams, startups, and global organizations across HR, program management, research, and business operations. I specialize in bringing structure to fast-moving environments, improving workflows, and driving cross-functional execution. I have supported enterprise HR system implementations, led operational initiatives, coordinated complex projects, and delivered executive-level support across U.S. and international teams. My work spans strategic communications, content development, organizational planning, and operational scaling. Known for being proactive, detail-oriented, and solutions-focused, I partner closely with leaders to turn ideas into clear plans, improve efficiency, and support sustainable growth. Let’s chat about how I can support your work and bring immediate value to your team.

  • Strategic Planning
  • Business Analysis
  • Market Research
  • Report Writing
  • Project Management
  • Operations Management Software
  • Process Improvement
  • AI Content Creation
  • Technical Writing
  • Email Marketing
  • Instructional Design
  • Knowledge Representation
  • UX Research
  • CRM Development
  • Workforce Management
Deidre M.

Granbury, Texas

$30/hr
5.0
2 jobs

Most businesses don’t struggle because they lack ideas. They struggle because execution breaks down. Projects lose momentum. Priorities compete for attention. Processes become inconsistent. Leaders spend too much time solving the same problems instead of growing the business. That’s where I come in. I help business owners turn strategy into results by bringing structure, accountability, and clarity to their operations. For nine years, I ran the daily operations of a high-volume retail business with more than 15,000 SKUs and a fast-moving environment where decisions affected inventory, purchasing, vendors, employees, customers, and profitability. Every day required balancing competing priorities while keeping the business moving forward. I don’t believe in creating processes for the sake of having processes. I build practical systems that solve real business problems, improve consistency, and help teams execute with confidence. Whether I’m improving workflows, organizing operations, analyzing business data, building performance dashboards, coordinating initiatives, or creating systems that support growth, my focus is always the same: Move the business forward. I’m also the founder of D3KAT Insight, an operations intelligence platform I’m building to help small and midsize businesses turn operational data into better business decisions. Building the platform continues to strengthen the same skills I bring to every client: operational thinking, business analysis, problem-solving, and execution. What I Bring to Every Engagement • Business operations and process improvement • Workflow design and operational systems • Business analysis and data-driven decision support • KPI dashboards and performance reporting • Purchasing, inventory, and vendor operations • Project and initiative coordination • Practical solutions that improve execution and accountability Throughout my career, I’ve worked in environments where priorities change quickly and every decision has an operational impact. I know how to adapt, solve problems, and keep work moving forward while staying focused on the bigger picture. If you’re looking for someone who takes ownership, solves problems, and helps your business execute with confidence, let’s start a conversation. I’d love to learn about your business and how I can help move it forward.

  • Business Analysis
  • Operational Planning
  • Operations Analytics
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Inventory Management
  • Process Improvement
  • Purchasing Management
  • Data Analysis
  • Vendor Management
  • Accounts Payable
  • Accounts Receivable
  • Bookkeeping
  • Notion
  • Executive Support
  • Microsoft Power BI
  • SQL

How it works

Post a job for freePost a job

Tell us what you need. Create your own job post or generate one with AI then filter talent matches.

Hire top talent fast

Consult, interview, and hire quickly, so you can meet the freelancers you're excited about.

Collaborate easily

Use Upwork to chat or video call, share files, and track project progress right from the app.

Payment simplified

Manage payments in one place with flexible billing options. Only pay for approved work, hourly or by milestone.

Don't just take our word for it

How do I hire a Strategic Planning Specialist in the United States on Upwork?

You can hire a Strategic Planning Specialist in the United States on Upwork in four simple steps:

  • Create a job post tailored to your Strategic Planning Specialist project scope. We'll walk you through the process step by step.
  • Browse top Strategic Planning Specialist talent on Upwork and invite them to your project.
  • Once the proposals start flowing in, create a shortlist of top Strategic Planning Specialist profiles and interview.
  • Hire the right Strategic Planning Specialist for your project from Upwork, the world's largest work marketplace.

At Upwork, we believe talent staffing should be easy.

How much does it cost to hire a Strategic Planning Specialist?

Rates charged by Strategic Planning Specialists on Upwork can vary with a number of factors including experience, location, and market conditions. See hourly rates for in-demand skills on Upwork.

Why hire a Strategic Planning Specialist in the United States on Upwork?

As the world's work marketplace, we connect highly-skilled freelance Strategic Planning Specialists and businesses and help them build trusted, long-term relationships so they can achieve more together. Let us help you build the dream Strategic Planning Specialist team you need to succeed.

Can I hire a Strategic Planning Specialist in the United States within 24 hours on Upwork?

Depending on availability and the quality of your job post, it's entirely possible to sign up for Upwork and receive Strategic Planning Specialist proposals within 24 hours of posting a job description.