Company Overview:
WagWay Group is a PE-backed pet clubs and wellness company with operating brands across the U.S. WagWay was established to build a national, contemporary network of leading pet wellness providers in attractive markets. WagWay pet centers offer daycare, boarding, grooming, training, and vet services under a comprehensive model. The Company aspires to set the standard for pet wellness through the combination of service excellence, innovation, and pet health monitoring.
Job Overview:
Reporting to the CEO and working closely with Access Holdings, the VP of Strategy (ACE) will serve as a key contributor to WagWay’s next phase of growth. This is a high-impact, high-visibility role focused on designing, executing, and optimizing strategic initiatives to drive expansion, margin improvement, and operational excellence.
Access Holdings Overview:
Access Holdings Management Company LLC is a Baltimore-based middle-market investment firm with over $2.8 billion in assets under management. Founded in 2013, Access provides direct investment opportunities to create concentrated portfolios of essential service-based businesses in North America. We undertake active build-and-buy strategies, pursuing what we want to own, great markets and distinct business models. In doing so, Access partners, scales, and innovates to build enduring businesses. For more information, please visit www.accessholdings.com.
Access Executive Development Program Overview:
Access Holdings is seeking high-performing professionals for its Access Creating Executives (ACE) Program—a hands-on executive development initiative that places participants at the forefront of operational and strategic transformation within Access portfolio companies.
The ACE Program offers immersive exposure to critical functional areas such as Finance, Strategy, M&A, Corporate Development, and Marketing. Participants (“ACEs”) work directly with C-suite leaders, driving measurable business improvements, documenting operational best practices, and building a robust executive toolkit.
ACEs engage in exclusive Access-wide leadership summits, functional training, and cross-portfolio networking events, contributing not only to their portfolio company but to the broader Access ecosystem. Top performers are considered for elevated leadership roles within the portfolio or across Access Holdings.
Key Responsibilities:
- Operate as a member of the executive team, providing thought leadership and hands-on support across strategic initiatives.
- Partner with WagWay and field operations to document key processes to assess automation opportunities, implement new tools and processes, and institutionalize process excellence and efficiency across the organization.
- Lead the company’s AI adoption and co-intelligence effort by exploring and deciding on critical use-cases, prioritizing AI initiatives and selecting vendors to advance optimization efforts.
- Drive inorganic growth through corporate development activities to expand the company’s store count through geographic expansion with new acquisitions and de novo locations. This includes market diligence, modeling, synergy assessment, and post-close integration.
- Work with the Portco and Access digital lead generation team (Access Lead Labs) to canvas, segment, map markets and source deals by directly engaging with potential sellers and effectively communicating company’s value proposition
- Work with the CFO on capital planning associated with the company’s growth initiatives
- Review current state of business to develop and institutionalize appropriate corporate and field support infrastructure with the goal of eliminating, or at least minimizing, dis-synergies post-acquisition integration.
- Provide financial insight and analysis to support go-forward planning and key decision-making to ensure the Company executes against the destination plan.
- Collaborate with Access Holdings and peer ACEs to cross-pollinate strategies and share playbooks across the portfolio.
- Attend ACE training and leadership events.
Qualifications:
Ideal candidates will demonstrate:
- 6+ years of experience in management consulting, investment banking, private equity, corporate strategy, corporate development, or similar roles.
- Proven track record leading or supporting strategic transformation in a multi-location or consumer-facing business.
- Strong project management and change leadership skills, including PMO implementation and KPI tracking.
- Financial fluency with a strong grasp of P&L drivers, modeling, and reporting.
- Strong financial, analytical, and corporate development skillset Highly proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, and ideally Tableau or Power BI.
- Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication abilities, including experience developing board-ready materials.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a bias toward execution, ownership, and adaptability.
- Ability to balance big picture thinking with detailed execution.
- High emotional intelligence, low ego, and collaborative leadership style.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred.
- Authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship.
Benefits
- Competitive Salary
- Unlimited PTO
- Paid Company Holidays
- Bonus Eligible
- Company sponsored medical, dental and vision
- Paid Parental Leave
- Free Gym Membership
- Flexible Work Arrangements
- Generous 401k Employer Match Program
- Pet Insurance
WagWay Group is an EOE.
Job Type: Full-time
Application Question(s):
- What are your salary requirements?
- Are you able to work onsite at our home office in Linthicum Heights 2-3 days per week?
Willingness to travel:
- 25% (Required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Linthicum Heights, MD 21090