Access Holdings is a next-generation alternative asset manager providing investors with access to the lower-middle market. Founded in 2013, Access Holdings has approximately $2.3 billion in assets under management. The firm implements its systematic research and data-driven operating model - The Access Edge - to partner with lower-middle market businesses in industries essential to economic growth and resilience. 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.
Company Detail: WagWay Group
- Location: Baltimore / Washington DC Metro Area
- Industry: Pet Care and Wellness
WagWay Group is a high-growth platform company delivering premier pet care services—including boarding, daycare, grooming, training, and veterinary care—across 20+ locations in six states. Backed by Access Holdings, WagWay is scaling through acquisitions and organic growth to redefine excellence in pet wellness services.
Role: VP of Strategy (ACE Program)
Reporting to the CEO and working closely with Access Holdings, the VP of Strategy 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.
Key Responsibilities
- Operate as a member of the executive team, providing thought leadership and hands-on support across strategic initiatives.
- Partner with HQ 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. (FP&A)
- 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.
Top Skills
What We Do
Access Holdings Management Company LLC is a Baltimore-based middle-market investment firm with over $2.1 billion in assets under management. Founded in 2013, Access provides high-quality, direct investments opportunities to create concentrated portfolios of essential service-based businesses in North America. We undertake active Buy and Build strategies, pursuing what we want to own, great markets and distinct business models. In doing so, Access partners with and supports exceptional, passionate, visionary leaders to grow and scale businesses.
