Manager, Business Operations - Model e

Ford Motor • Detroit, MI

21h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Model e Business Office serves as a connective function across the enterprise, bringing together people, priorities, data, and executive decisions to support efficient operations and strategic commitments. The Manager, Business Operations partners closely with the Model e Chief of Staff, senior leaders, Finance, Strategy, and enterprise stakeholders to run Model e’s operating rhythm and improve how the organization plans, governs, and executes. The role combines operational execution with management-system innovation, digital automation, and AI integration.

The position supports executive governance and business-office operations, including leadership reviews, governance planning, executive communications, decision tracking, performance monitoring, and cross-functional coordination. It also improves the management system by simplifying operating models, building Smartsheet workflows and dashboards, piloting practical AI applications, defining operational KPIs, and guiding adoption of improved tools and practices. The position is hybrid and requires onsite work four or more days per week.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Strategy, Economics, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of progressive experience in business operations, strategy, corporate finance, program management, or Chief of Staff functions.
• Proven experience coordinating executive governance cadences and supporting senior-leadership decision-making.

Nice To Haves

• MBA or master’s degree in Business, Finance, Strategy, or a related field.
• Prior Chief of Staff or Business Office experience within a large, matrixed organization.
• Strong strategic and financial acumen, with the ability to synthesize complex data into clear insights and executive narratives.
• Working proficiency with Smartsheet and Microsoft 365, including PowerPoint, Excel, SharePoint, and Teams.
• Familiarity with AI productivity tools and workflow automation for improving operational efficiency.
• Ability to influence cross-functional partners without formal authority and manage competing priorities under tight timelines.
• Advanced Smartsheet expertise, including portfolio-level architectures, multi-tier automated workflows, and dynamic dashboards.
• Experience creating KPI scorecards and dashboards using Power BI, Tableau, or comparable platforms.
• Ability to step in where needed, actively listen, and foster psychological safety.
• Ability to balance high-level strategic alignment with hands-on, detail-oriented execution.
• Ability to connect strategy, governance, metrics, and execution to create simpler, more effective operating models.
• Curiosity about exploring and deploying digital tools, Smartsheet automations, and AI to improve team productivity.
• Ability to bring optimism, accountability, and calm composure when timelines compress or priorities shift.
• Familiarity with Ford+, the Ford Management System, the Model e/EV landscape, or product development operating processes.

Responsibilities

• Orchestrate executive operating reviews, strategic reviews, and recurring leadership cadences in partnership with the Model e Chief of Staff.
• Synthesize strategic, operational, and financial data across functions into concise executive presentations and decision papers.
• Manage the governance roadmap, including standardized agendas, decision criteria, and pre-read preparation.
• Facilitate selected leadership forums, document decisions, and track commitments to completion with cross-functional accountability.
• Track priority initiatives, identify risks and off-track milestones, and coordinate mitigation plans with owners.
• Support executive visits, town halls, strategic offsites, and time-sensitive special projects requiring discretion and judgment.
• Build collaborative relationships across Model e, Ford Blue, FSCD, Ford Pro, Lincoln, Integrated Services, and enterprise teams.
• Streamline the Model e management system to reduce administrative friction, clarify decision rights, and accelerate cycle times.
• Architect, deploy, and maintain Smartsheet solutions, including forms, automated workflows, portfolio trackers, and executive dashboards.
• Identify and pilot practical AI applications for Business Office workflows, such as automated synthesis, meeting preparation, action tracking, and knowledge management.
• Establish repeatable governance frameworks, templates, and operating standards.
• Define and track operational KPIs, such as action closure velocity and decision cycle time, to measure management-system effectiveness.
• Benchmark enterprise best practices and guide change management to sustain adoption of modern tools and working norms.

Benefits

• Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, and subsidized backup childcare.
• Family-building benefits, including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement and fertility treatments.
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members, and management leases.
• Tuition assistance.
• Employee resource groups.
• Paid time off for individual and team community service.
• Paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager