At Aerostar, we build systems that operate where almost nothing else can. Our Stratospheric Solutions team is turning the stratosphere into a useful, persistent operating domain, creating new ways to connect, sense, and understand the world from 60,000 feet. We are looking for someone with high judgment, low ego, curiosity, and a point of view: someone willing to challenge assumptions, make sense of ambiguity, and roll up their sleeves to help a talented team turn ideas into real results.

The Chief of Staff serves as a strategic partner to the General Manager and divisional leadership team, translating priorities into action and strengthening alignment and accountability across the organization. The role leads high-priority cross-functional initiatives, drives strategic planning and key operating rhythms, and brings clear analysis and recommendations to important decisions. Success means helping the leadership team turn strategy into measurable results and making the division more effective as it grows.

Essential Functions

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Serve as a strategic thought partner to the General Manager and divisional leadership team, providing insights and recommendations to advance key business priorities and initiatives.
• Lead and coordinate the division's strategic planning process, including goal setting, objectives and key results (OKRs), and quarterly and annual planning cycles.
• Drive high-priority, cross-functional initiatives from initial scoping through execution, taking ownership of outcomes and proactively identifying and addressing risks or barriers.
• Partner with divisional leaders to align strategic priorities, establish goals, monitor performance, and reinforce accountability for key initiatives and commitments.
• Establish and manage the operating rhythm for the Stratosphere Division, including leadership team meetings, strategic planning sessions, offsites, all-hands meetings, and other key communication and decision-making forums.
• Gather and synthesize information from across the division to develop clear recommendations, decision frameworks, and actionable insights that support effective and timely decision-making.
• Identify opportunities to improve organizational effectiveness, business processes, communication, and cross-functional collaboration, and lead efforts to implement sustainable improvements.
• Prepare concise, strategic, and decision-ready materials for leadership meetings, board updates, business reviews, and other key divisional discussions.
• Serve as a trusted partner on complex and sensitive organizational matters, exercising sound judgment, professionalism, and appropriate discretion.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Education and Experience

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Engineering, or a related field.
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in strategy, business operations, program or project management, engineering, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives from strategy or planning through implementation and execution.
• Experience working collaboratively with senior leaders and stakeholders across multiple functions to drive alignment and achieve business objectives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong strategic and analytical thinking skills with the ability to assess complex information, form an independent point of view, identify opportunities, and translate insights into clear recommendations and actionable plans.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to develop clear, concise, and compelling communications and presentations for a variety of audiences.
• Ability to build strong relationships and influence outcomes across functions and organizational levels without direct authority.
• Strong business judgment, problem-solving skills, and ability to navigate ambiguity and complex organizational environments.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate candid discussions, constructively challenge assumptions, build alignment, and drive decisions among diverse stakeholders.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment when handling confidential or sensitive business information.
• Highly organized, with the ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution and follow-through.