Head of Business Continuity Manager (m/w/d)

Job Description:

Job Description

As a Business Continuity Manager Germany, you will be a strategic leader responsible for establishing and driving our Business Continuity Management (BCM) program in one of our key markets. Reporting to senior leadership and working closely with our global colleagues and divisional stakeholders, you will ensure that our operations remain resilient and our risks are proactively managed. Your role will be critical in protecting our assets, reputation and overall business stability through effective planning, training and incident management.

Accountabilities

• The jobholder is fully accountable for the strategic design, greenfield establishment, and sustained excellence of the Business Continuity Management (BCM) programme across the ADS Division's designated countries (in the country assigned to this position), where no prior formal BCM system exists. This encompasses leadership over all key BCM processes, including rigorous Business Impact Analyses (BIAs), the development of comprehensive continuity plans, and serving as the designated National BCM Risk Owner with full delegated authority for integrating all threat and vulnerability assessments into the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework. A critical part of this accountability is the successful achievement and ongoing maintenance of the ISO 22301 certification, ensuring full compliance with both internal and international BCM standards.
• Furthermore, the position is accountable for driving organisational BCM readiness by designing and executing comprehensive, scenario-based training and exercises for all staff levels. This includes the direct management and oversight of external teams/vendors critical to the BCM deployment and ongoing operations. The jobholder must leverage interdisciplinary expertise to deeply understand and integrate the specific needs of all major business functions, and must provide expert tactical support during real-world incidents, followed by thorough post-incident evaluations to ensure continuous program improvement.
• If the Business Continuity Manager fails to perform their duties effectively, or if the position remains vacant, the organisation risks being ill-prepared to respond to significant disruptions such as cyber incidents, natural disasters, or supply chain breakdowns. This could result in prolonged operational downtime, the loss of critical data, failure to meet contractual or regulatory obligations, and serious financial and reputational damage. Within a highly regulated and security-sensitive industry such as defence and space, such shortcomings could further undermine national security commitments, erode stakeholder confidence, and expose the organisation to legal or governmental sanctions.

Dimensions

• The jobholder is responsible for the strategic vendor selection, contract management, and oversight of BCM-related external sub-contracted services and vendors. The role has a P&L influence through direct management of the Operating Budget.

Main Activities

• The main activities center on defining and driving the multi-year BCM roadmap and leading the end-to-end transformation of BCM from a nascent state to a mature, certified program across multiple international sites. This is achieved by defining and implementing the overarching BCM strategy, developing the foundational policies and procedures, and ensuring their strict alignment with the global divisional framework.
• A key deliverable is the continuous elevation of the organisation's readiness level through the design and delivery of a mandatory training curriculum and the execution of high-fidelity, cross-functional simulation exercises. These activities drive value by systematically reducing business interruption risk and ensuring a swift, coordinated response to any crisis scenario.
• The jobholder's impact is also seen in the management of complex external vendor relationships and cross-functional teams to deploy digital BCM tools and ensure all Business Impact Analyses are rooted in a deep, interdisciplinary understanding of the entire ADS Division's operations. This value creation is essential for protecting the company's assets and reputation.

Outputs

• The primary output is a fully operational, ISO 22301-certified Business Continuity Management System in the designated country, transitioning from a greenfield status to a mature, auditable program compliant with all regulatory and corporate standards. This output includes a suite of validated BCM documentation.
• A critical output is the generation of a robust BCM Risk Profile for the country, derived from comprehensive threat and vulnerability assessments, which is formally integrated and reported as part of the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) process.
• The role delivers a measurable increase in organisational resilience and preparedness, evidenced by post-exercise reports, lower recovery times, and a highly engaged staff culture achieved through a structured and successful annual BCM training and exercise program.

 

Key Requirements

Work Experience

• Depth of Experience: Minimum of 5-7 years' experience in Business Continuity Management, Risk Management, or a related field.
• Program Management: Proven track record of successfully implementing and managing comprehensive, country-level Business Continuity programs and plans.
• Implementation & Oversight: Direct experience in conducting Business Impact Analyses (BIAs) and developing localized BC plans for critical business units.
• Team & Project Leadership: Experience in leading or mentoring a small local team or managing cross-functional project teams within a single country or business unit.
• Language Skills (Mandatory): Fluent in both German and English (written and spoken) is required, as this role manages local regulatory/operational stakeholders in Germany while coordinating with global teams.

Core Competencies

• Analytical & Implementation Skills: Strong analytical skills with a practical understanding of business risk assessments and the execution of BCM policies.
• BCM Execution: Ability to successfully implement and monitor BC plans and governance structures at the country level.
• Project Management: Strong project management skills necessary to drive collaboration across local functions and departments.
• Communication: Strong communication skills, able to effectively liaise with local and regional management, technical teams, and relevant country-level stakeholders.
• Adaptability: Ability to manage complex projects and adapt quickly to evolving local risks and regulatory changes.

Educational Background & Certifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Risk Management, or a related field is required.
• Certifications (Preferred): Relevant certifications such as ISO 22301 Lead Implementer, ISO 27001, or equivalent.

Additional Attributes

• A proactive mindset with a focus on continuous improvement in local operational resilience.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage resource allocation effectively.

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company:

Airbus Defence and Space GmbH

Employment Type:

Permanent

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Experience Level:

Professional

Job Family:

Programme & Project Management <JF-PP-PM>

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