Chief of Staff

Airbus is committed to providing reasonable accommodations as an Equal Opportunity Employer to applicants with disabilities. If you require assistance or an accommodation to complete your application, please contact us at [email protected] Notice: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal Notice: Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination   (English) Aviso: Transparencia en el Pago No Discriminación  (Spanish) Job Description: Positions  Summary:  The Chief of Staff acts as the strategic partner and facilitator for the Kinston plant leadership team, ensuring the seamless execution of operational strategies, governance cycles, and cross-functional transformation initiatives. The role exists to optimize executive decision-making, drive site competitiveness, and coordinate critical performance recovery plans across the manufacturing facility. Primary Responsibilities: Site Governance, KPI Cascade, and Performance Management: 30% Implement and maintain the Kinston plant governance structure. Drive and track the Objectives and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) cascade across the manufacturing facility. Facilitate the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) standard agenda, managing performance routines and optimizing systems such as CVAT (Cost Value Analysis Tool) and Skywise to ensure strategic operational alignment. Operational Transformation and Competitiveness Programs: 30% Oversee operational transformation initiatives and competitiveness workstreams across the Kinston plant. Collaborate closely with the Finance department to analyze and monitor cost reduction trajectories, specifically aligning plant operational performance with the Sparrow cost trajectory program. Special Projects, Strategic Communications, and Recovery Management: 30% Direct high-priority 'Tier 1' strategic initiatives and complex plant-wide projects on behalf of the General Manager. Act as a Recovery Manager to rapidly mobilize cross-functional teams, resolving critical production bottlenecks and restoring baseline operational performance during disruptions. Draft executive briefings, tactical status reports, and strategic presentations for Senior Vice Presidents (SVPs) and Executive Vice Presidents (EVPs). Cross-Functional Liaison and Stakeholder Alignment: 10% Act as the central operational liaison between the General Manager & Vice President and key functional departments, including Human Resources, Finance, Value Stream Management (VSM), Engineering, Quality, and Operations. Represent plant leadership in internal regional working groups and key operational committees to foster organizational alignment and smooth program execution. Additional Responsibilities: Other duties as assigned. Qualified Experience and Training Education: Required: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, manufacturing, or a related industrial discipline, or equivalent experience in a manufacturing environment. Preferred: Master's or postgraduate degree in business administration, engineering management, or industrial leadership. Experience: Required: 8+ years of professional experience in an aerospace, complex manufacturing, or high-level industrial engineering environment, with a demonstrated history of coordinating cross-functional projects. Preferred: 10+ years of experience with direct exposure to aerospace plant management operations, strategic operational recovery, or management consulting. Licensure/Certifications: Required: None. Preferred: Project Management Professional (PMP) or Lean Six Sigma certif Knowledge, Skills, Demonstrated Capabilities: Required: Strong understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes, industrial performance metrics, operational recovery frameworks, and project management methodologies. Strong business acumen with the capability to support financial budget reviews and analyze operational data. Preferred: Familiarity with the Airbus Operating System (AOS) and Lean manufacturing practices Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal English communication skills are required. Demonstrated ability to draft professional, board-level executive briefings and present complex operational data clearly to diverse internal stakeholders, plant leadership, and global executives. Technical Systems Proficiency: Proficiency with advanced operational and data analysis systems (such as Skywise), project management tracking software, and standard executive suite tools (presentation design, spreadsheets, and reporting databases). Travel Required:  10% Domestic and International. Citizenship: Able to work in US without current or future need for visa sponsorship. Clearance: None Decision Making, Complexity: The Chief of Staff exercises independent judgment in defining meeting agendas, structuring governance schedules, tracking key operational actions, and prioritizing executive briefings for the General Manager & Vice President. For complex strategic or operational changes impacting the plant, the position formulates clear, evidence-based options and recommendations, and consults directly with the General Manager & Vice President prior to implementation. The role operates within a highly complex, multi-layered aerospace environment, requiring the synthesis of diverse technical, financial, and operational variables to support site competitiveness. Organizational information: Is this a people manager? No Direct Reports: Exempt: 0 | Non-exempt: 0 Overview: The Chief of Staff reports directly to the General Manager & Vice President of Airbus Aerosystems Kinston Inc. The position serves as an individual contributor and individual partner, collaborating extensively with the site's Senior Leadership Team (SLT) members (N-1 level) to coordinate and streamline site operations . Job Dimensions, Contributions to Success:  Direct financial sign-off or budget ownership is not assigned to this role. However, the Chief of St