Manager, Business Operations - Model e

Ford•Detroit, MI

16h•$115,500 - $218,100•Hybrid

About The Position

The Model e Business Office connects people, priorities, data, and executive decisions to help the organization operate efficiently and deliver on 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 transform how the organization plans, governs, and executes. The role combines disciplined operational execution with management-system innovation, digital automation, and AI integration. It calls for an analytical systems thinker and relationship builder who can translate complex strategy into decisive operational action. The position is hybrid, with a requirement to be onsite four or more days per week. It is leadership level 6, with a salary range of $115,500–$218,100. Visa sponsorship is not available. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

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 experience in a Chief of Staff or Business Office function 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.
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, listen actively, and foster psychological safety.
Ability to navigate between high-level strategic alignment and 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 or 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 complex strategic, operational, and financial data across functions into concise executive presentations and decision papers.
Manage the forward-looking governance roadmap, including standardized agendas, decision criteria, and pre-read preparation.
Facilitate select 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 sound judgment.
Build collaborative working 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 teams through change management to sustain adoption of modern tools and working norms.