Regional Chief of Staff – EMEA (f/m/d)
Aptiv · Wuppertal
The Regional Chief of Staff & Strategic Business Planner serves as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to the Regional Managing Director, supporting the effective management and execution of the regional business strategy. The role acts as an extension of the Managing Director, bringing a structured consulting approach to strategic planning, performance management, executive governance, cross-functional alignment, and delivery of critical business priorities.
The position translates complex and often ambiguous business challenges into clear recommendations, actionable plans, and measurable outcomes. It provides the Managing Director and regional leadership team with high-quality decision support while ensuring disciplined follow-through on commitments and strategic initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Planning & Business Management
- Support the Regional Managing Director in developing and executing the regional strategy, annual operating plan, and long-range business priorities.
- Translate strategic priorities into clear objectives, workstreams, milestones, ownership, and performance measures.
- Structure complex business issues, evaluate strategic options, and prepare fact-based recommendations for executive decisions.
- Develop business cases, scenario analyses, and strategic assessments for growth, profitability, footprint, investment, and transformation decisions.
- Monitor external market, customer, competitor, and industry developments relevant to the region.
Executive Governance & Decision Support
- Act as a trusted advisor and thought partner to the Regional Managing Director on key business and organizational priorities.
- Plan and coordinate regional leadership meetings, operating reviews, strategy sessions, and other governance forums.
- Prepare concise executive briefings, presentations, decision papers, and talking points for internal and external engagements.
- Ensure decisions are documented, responsibilities are clear, and agreed actions are followed through to completion.
- Anticipate emerging issues, identify interdependencies, and escalate risks requiring leadership attention.
Business Performance & Analytics
- Coordinate performance reviews covering financial results, commercial performance, operations, people, and strategic initiatives.
- Conduct activities to prepare the MBR/ BBP package for presentation to Top management including strategic message and key points of focus.
- Analyse business performance, identify trends and root causes, and recommend corrective actions or acceleration opportunities.
- Partner with Finance and functional leaders on forecasting, target setting, and scenario planning.
- Develop concise performance dashboards and management insights that support timely, data-driven decisions.
- Promote consistency, transparency, and accountability in regional performance management.
Cross-Functional Alignment & Execution
- Connect and align Operations, Finance, Commercial, Engineering, Supply Chain, HR, Legal, and other functions around regional priorities.
- Drive collaboration across countries, business units, and functions, particularly where execution depends on shared ownership.
- Influence senior stakeholders without direct authority and help resolve barriers, competing priorities, or unclear accountabilities.
- Coordinate preparation for regional, segment, and enterprise-level business reviews.
- Ensure effective communication between the Managing Director, regional leadership team, and key stakeholders.
Strategic Projects & Transformation
- Lead or coordinate high-priority strategic projects and special assignments on behalf of the Regional Managing Director.
- Establish governance, workplans, milestones, risk tracking, and executive reporting for major initiatives.
- Challenge project teams constructively, test assumptions, and maintain focus on measurable business outcomes.
- Support organizational change and transformation by translating leadership direction into coordinated execution.
- Capture lessons learned and strengthen regional management routines and ways of working.
Candidate Profile
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Engineering, or a related field.
- MBA or other relevant advanced degree strongly preferred.
Experience
- 8+ years of progressive experience in management consulting, strategy, business planning, finance, operations, transformation, or a related field.
- Management consulting experience with a Big 4 firm, specifically Deloitte, PwC, EY, or KPMG, is required.
- Experience advising senior executives on strategy, performance improvement, operating model, transformation, or complex business challenges.
- Proven ability to move from analysis and recommendation to implementation and measurable results.
- Experience in a multinational, matrixed environment; exposure to manufacturing, automotive, industrial, or technology sectors is highly desirable.
- Experience working across multiple countries, cultures, and functions is preferred.
Core Skills & Competencies
- Strategic thinking
- Consulting toolkit
- Business acumen
- Executive communication Influence
- Execution discipline
- Analytical capability
- Judgment & discretion
- Adaptability
- Collaboration
Success Measures
- Quality and timeliness of strategic decision support provided to the Regional Managing Director.
- Effective execution of regional priorities and critical transformation initiatives.
- Improved visibility, discipline, and accountability in business performance management.
- Timely identification and resolution of risks, dependencies, and execution barriers.
- Strong alignment and collaboration across the regional leadership team and key functions.
Ideal Profile
A highly analytical, proactive, and commercially minded professional who combines the strategic rigor of a Big 4 management consultant with the pragmatism of a business operator. The successful candidate is comfortable working directly with senior executives, navigating ambiguity, influencing across a complex matrix, and maintaining a relentless focus on execution and business outcomes. The individual demonstrates sound judgment, personal credibility, resilience, and the discretion required to operate as a trusted partner to the Regional Managing Director.
You grow at Aptiv.
Aptiv's winning culture is global by design. We bring together diverse perspectives, cultures, and business contexts to solve our customers' toughest challenges. In this environment, every individual can grow, lead, and make an impact, regardless of background, because inclusion fuels how we innovate and win.
You make an impact at Aptiv.
One of the strengths of humanity is our drive to progress, to improve, to achieve more tomorrow than we did yesterday. People need solutions they can trust when it matters most. At Aptiv, you are building those solutions every day.
You have support at Aptiv.
We ensure you have the resources and support you need to take care of your family, your physical health, and your mental health with a competitive benefits package.
Aptiv Benefits:
- Our working style: flexible work environment Learning, professional growth and development in a world-recognized international environment.
- Access to internal & external training, coaching & certifications.
- Recognition for innovation and excellence.
- Opportunities to give back to the community
Apply today, and together let’s change tomorrow!
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Aptiv is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.