Chief of Staff to Vice President, Business Development & Finance

Job Summary 

Kairos Power is seeking a Chief of Staff to Vice President, Business Development & Finance (CoS) reporting to the Vice President of Business Development & Finance (VP). This is a strategic and hands-on role designed to increase the effectiveness of the Vice President of Business Development & Finance and commercial leadership team. The CoS will work across business and engineering functions to drive alignment, improve productivity, and streamline execution of strategic initiatives. The ideal candidate has experience operating with complex technical organizations, with proven success in executive-level support, strategic development, program execution, and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities 

• Act as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the Vice President of Business Development & Finance and commercial leadership team, including supporting the development of commercial and business strategies
• Drive the successful execution of strategic programs in alignment with company objectives, ensuring follow-through and accountability across functions
• Facilitate effective decision-making for the VP of Business Development & Finance by managing meeting preparation, synthesizing complex information into clear recommendations, and representing the VP in meetings as appropriate
• Manage and prioritize internal and external inquiries directed to the VP of BD & Finance, determining the appropriate course of action and coordinating responses with the right stakeholders
• Serve as liaison between the VP, commercial leaders, cross-functional leaders, and external partners, ensuring clear communication on priorities, progress, and risks
• Oversee the rhythm of business for the VP’s organization, including leadership meetings, communications, operating reviews, and cross-functional checkpoints
• Lead or coordinate special projects on behalf of the VP, often requiring cross-functional alignment and problem-solving across technical and non-technical teams
• Develop clear, concise executive communications, presentations, and reporting for internal and external stakeholders
• Partner with Executive Administration team members to optimize scheduling and meeting planning around VP and company priorities
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and decision-making within the VP’s organization, implementing scalable practices that increase efficiency and impact
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, engineering, or similar field; advanced degree (MBA, MS in Engineering/Technology Management) is preferred
• 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in executive support, program management, or strategic development/operations, ideally in a leading business consultancy or technical or R&D-driven organization
• Proven experience organizing and directing multiple teams and working directly with senior executives
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills, with demonstrated ability to prepare and deliver executive-level communications 
• Excellent organization, facilitation, and interpersonal skills, with ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Background in strategy, commercial development, and/or energy/manufacturing sectors is preferred 
• Demonstrated experience planning and leading strategic initiatives
• Demonstrated experience of understanding the nuance of complex external negotiations, and driving meaningful business impact
• Effective, versatile and action-oriented, with strong project coordination and reporting skills focused on interdepartmental communication
• Experience with financial analysis, business case development, or commercial modeling to support executive decision-making
• Exposure to strategic partnerships, joint ventures, or capital projects is a plus

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 

• Ability to connect organizational strategy to execution, ensuring technical and business priorities are aligned
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to evaluate complex issues and recommend data-driven decisions
• Skilled in leading cross-functional initiatives, ensuring alignment, accountability, and timely delivery
• Ability to design, implement, and scale processes that improve organizational efficiency and decision-making
• Exceptional relationship-building skills across commercial, government affairs technical and non-technical teams of both internal and external stakeholders with the ability to drive alignment without direct authority
• Adept at influencing decisions and navigating organizational dynamics at the executive level
• Outstanding written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to simplify complexity into clear executive-level communications
• Comfortable representing senior leadership with credibility and confidence in internal and external forums
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a trusted advisor to senior executives, exercising discretion, sound judgment, and integrity
• Knowledge of leadership effectiveness, team health, and talent planning practices to integrate people priorities into technical strategies
• Resilient in high-demand, fast-paced environments with shifting priorities
• Ability to identify and implement innovative solutions to organizational and operational challenges
• Ability to understand financial data, business drivers, and market implications of strategic decisions
• Expertise in structuring and leading executive meetings for decision-making efficiency and the knowledge and experience of proper preparation to drive effective meetings
• Strong energy sector business acumen

Physical Demands

• Remaining in a stationary position, often standing, or sitting for prolonged periods
• Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another
• Adjusting, moving, transporting, installing, positioning, or removing objects up to 10 pounds in all directions
• Communicating with others to exchange information

Environmental Conditions

• General office environment
• Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned
• High-concentration, demanding and fast-paced
• Manufacturing/Industrial Environments, occasionally

Travel

• Travel required, up to 20%

Additional Requirements 

• Seldomly requires working weekends
• Occasionally requires schedule flexibility
• Occasionally requires non-standard work-week hours
• Occasionally requires extended hours to support launch and critical project timelines

The salary range for this position is $209,400 to $261,800 for employees working onsite at our Alameda, CA headquarters. The range provided in this job posting represents the typical range or starting rate of candidates hired in California. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include your education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, the market data for your work location, and a comparison to other employees already in the role.

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