Special Projects Lead, Office of the President

Aptiv•Washington, DC

About The Position

About Wind RiverX Wind RiverX is the growth and innovation engine of Wind River, delivering secure, mission-critical software platforms for aerospace, defense, and highly regulated industries. Wind RiverX operates with startup velocity inside an enterprise-grade organization, requiring disciplined execution, cross-functional alignment, and strong executive leadership. Role Overview Wind RiverX is seeking a highly trusted, execution-focused Director of Special Projects to report directly to the President. This role will serve as an extension of the President—acting as a proxy when needed, driving cross-functional initiatives, and ensuring priorities, timelines, and deliverables are met across the organization. This individual will combine strategic thinking, operational rigor, executive communication, and light internal legal support to help the President operate effectively and scale the business.

Requirements

4+ years of experience in special projects, chief of staff, operations, strategy, legal, or executive support roles
Proven ability to operate effectively at the executive level with discretion and sound judgment
Strong project management skills with experience driving cross-functional initiatives
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including executive presentations
Working knowledge of contracts, NDAs, and corporate legal processes
High degree of professionalism, confidentiality, and integrity
Trusted advisor mindset
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and execution-driven
Comfortable operating in ambiguity and fast-changing environments
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence without authority
Calm, decisive, and confident under pressure

Nice To Haves

Legal background (JD or equivalent experience) strongly preferred
Background in technology, software, or regulated industries (e.g., defense, aerospace)
Familiarity with managing or coordinating external legal counsel

Responsibilities

Act as a proxy for the President in internal meetings and cross-functional forums when the President is unavailable
Represent the President’s priorities, decisions, and expectations with clarity and authority
Drive follow-ups and accountability from leadership and functional teams
Own and manage high-priority, cross-functional initiatives on behalf of the President
Track progress against timelines, milestones, and deliverables across multiple teams
Identify risks, blockers, and dependencies early and drive resolution
Ensure initiatives remain aligned with Wind RiverX strategic objectives
Develop executive-level presentations, briefing materials, and talking points for internal and external use
Synthesize complex information into clear, concise narratives for senior leadership
Support preparation for board, customer, partner, and executive meetings
Ensure internal projects and commitments are progressing as planned
Hold stakeholders accountable to agreed timelines and outcomes
Improve operational cadence, reporting, and communication across the organization
Provide initial internal support on legal and contractual matters impacting the President, including:
Contract and NDA review
General company matters requiring legal awareness or coordination
Act as a liaison between Wind RiverX leadership and external legal counsel
Help manage outside counsel engagement to ensure efficiency and cost control
Escalate matters appropriately to qualified internal or external legal resources (Note: This role does not replace formal legal counsel but provides informed, practical support to the President.)