Strategy and Operations Principal Lead – Google – Toronto, ON

Google’s gTech Strategy and Operations (gSO) team is looking for a Strategy and Operations Principal Lead to join the Extended Workforce Solutions (xWS) group. This is a senior, high-impact role based in Toronto, ON (with additional location options across North America and the UK), working directly alongside the xWS Vice President and executive leaders across Alphabet on some of the organization’s most critical strategic priorities.

This position sits at the intersection of strategic problem-solving, cross-functional collaboration, and operational execution. You’ll be shaping and steering complex initiatives, distilling ambiguous challenges into clear recommendations, and influencing senior stakeholders across a large, matrixed global organization — all while managing multiple workstreams simultaneously.

About the Role: Strategy and Operations Principal Lead

As a Principal Lead on the xWS Strategy team, you’ll own end-to-end leadership of complex, cross-functional initiatives — from initial scoping to final execution. Your work will directly support how Google and its product areas manage and scale their extended workforce infrastructure, balancing operational efficiency with risk management and policy compliance. You’ll work closely with executive leadership to set direction, align teams, and drive measurable business outcomes.

This role requires someone who is equally comfortable with data-driven analysis and high-level executive communication. You’ll need to ramp up quickly in new business contexts, pivot strategies based on evolving stakeholder needs, and thrive in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment. Collaboration across time zones and business functions is a core part of how this team delivers impact on a global scale.

Benefits and Salary

For Canadian applicants, the base salary range for this full-time position is CAD $194,000–$199,000, plus bonus, equity, and a comprehensive benefits package. Individual pay is determined by work location, relevant skills, experience, and education. Google’s total compensation goes well beyond base salary — learn more about benefits at Google’s careers page.

Responsibilities

As a Principal Lead, you’ll be accountable for driving some of xWS’s most strategically significant work. The role demands strong ownership — you’ll be expected to shape problems, build consensus, and see initiatives through from concept to completion while managing competing priorities across a global organization.

• Own and lead complex, cross-functional initiatives for xWS with end-to-end accountability, from initial shaping through to final execution
• Identify and structure critical business problems, distilling complex data into core issues and translating findings into actionable, high-impact recommendations
• Secure executive buy-in for proposed solutions across a large, matrixed organization, effectively landing recommendations with senior and executive-level stakeholders
• Launch and lead organizational change plans for long-term initiatives, pivoting messaging and strategy based on stakeholder feedback and evolving business needs
• Drive simultaneous execution of multiple initiatives while proactively resolving risks and collaborating across Google product areas and cross-functional teams

Requirements / Skills

Google is looking for a senior strategist with a proven track record in high-stakes, ambiguous environments. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in strategy or operations roles and knows how to influence at the executive level while also rolling up their sleeves to get work done. Strong analytical thinking and the ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity are essential.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience in a relevant field
• 8+ years of experience in management consulting, sales operations, business strategy, or a corporate advisory role
• Experience in GTM or investigative roles such as management consulting, investment banking, corporate strategy, or StratOps is preferred
• Cross-functional project leadership experience managing ambitious, strategically complex initiatives with multiple stakeholders
• Data and analytics proficiency — ability to leverage data to generate insights and make business recommendations
• Executive communication skills across written, verbal, and presentation formats, with demonstrated ability to influence senior leadership
• Comfort with ambiguity and the ability to adapt quickly, reprioritize, and change direction as business needs evolve

How to Apply

To apply, use the official Google Careers link below. Make sure your resume is up to date and reflects your most relevant strategy and operations experience before submitting.

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