Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Job Description:
As a Chief of Staff supporting functional strategy & execution, you will serve as a strategic thought partner and operational leader to an executive, helping translate business strategy into execution while improving organizational effectiveness. You will drive alignment across cross-functional teams, establish operating rhythms, coordinate strategic initiatives, and enable leaders to make faster, better-informed decisions.
Operating at the intersection of strategy, business operations, communications, and program execution, you will partner closely with leaders across Finance, Engineering, Product, Operations, People, Legal, Security, IT, Facilities, and other business functions to deliver organizational priorities and drive business outcomes.
This role requires a combination of strategic thinking, operational excellence, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to influence across the organization without direct authority.
What you'll do:
- Partner with executive leadership to translate strategic priorities into operating plans, execution roadmaps, and measurable business outcomes.
- Lead strategic planning processes, including the Annual Operating Plan (AOP), OKRs, business reviews, and governance rhythms to drive organizational alignment and execution.
- Drive complex cross-functional initiatives and day-to-day business operations, ensuring priorities remain on track, removing roadblocks, and delivering results.
- Act as the central coordination point across business functions, maintaining visibility into key workstreams, managing dependencies, and ensuring timely execution of strategic and operational priorities.
- Develop executive presentations, board materials, business communications, and reporting that support informed decision-making.
- Analyze business performance, operational metrics, and organizational data to identify trends, risks, opportunities, and actionable recommendations.
- Improve organizational effectiveness by designing scalable operating mechanisms, business processes, governance frameworks, and operational workflows.
- Represent the executive in leadership meetings, strategic discussions, and cross-functional forums, ensuring decisions are translated into clear actions and follow-through.
- Build trusted relationships across the organization while exercising sound judgment, maintaining confidentiality, and acting as a force multiplier by increasing executive capacity and enabling consistent execution.
Required qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience.
- 10+ years of experience in strategy, business operations, management consulting, program management, product operations, military leadership, or a related field.
- Experience leading complex cross-functional initiatives involving multiple executive stakeholders.
- Strong strategic thinking combined with excellent operational execution skills.
- Demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority and build alignment across diverse organizations.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing executive presentations and strategic communications.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable recommendations.
- Experience establishing executive operating rhythms, governance processes, business reviews, and planning mechanisms.
- Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- High degree of judgment, integrity, professionalism, and discretion when handling confidential information.
Preferred qualifications:
- MBA or advanced degree in Business, Engineering, Public Policy, or a related discipline.
- Experience supporting senior executives as a Chief of Staff, Strategic Business Partner, or Business Operations Leader.
- Experience working in aerospace, defense, AI, robotics, autonomous systems, or other highly technical industries.
- Experience in high-growth startup or scale-up environments.
- Familiarity with strategic planning, OKRs, portfolio management, and business operations.
- Experience preparing materials for executive leadership teams, boards of directors, or investors.
- Demonstrated success leading cross-functional transformation or organizational change initiatives.
- Strong financial acumen with experience supporting annual planning, budgeting, and resource allocation.
Total package details for U.S. based positions:
- Regular employee positions: Salary within range listed above + Bonus + Benefits + Equity
- Temporary employee positions: Hourly within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days
of employment)
- Interns/Military Fellows/Part-time not eligible for bonus, benefits or equity
Total package details for International positions which are roles based outside of the United States (where applicable):
- International premium, hardship differential, cost of living differential, living quarters allowance, foreign service transfer
allowance, equity, international benefits, visa assistance, and relocation assistance.
Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check.
Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.
