About the position
Valkyrie Enterprises is seeking a Chief of Staff to the SVP, Lifecycle Support and Solutions (LSS)– Strategy & Operations in San Diego, CA. The LSS organization, which supports global operations, is comprised of services, solutions, and a line of corrosion control inhibitor products. LSS is currently undergoing a transformation to move towards a solutions-based portfolio. The Chief of Staff will serve as a strategic partner and operational integrator to the LSS SVP, acting as a force multiplier across the business area’s services, solutions, and products portfolios within the defense contracting sector. This hybrid role will bridge high-level strategy with disciplined execution, translating the SVP’s and Valkyrie’s vision into actionable plans while driving operational performance, efficiency, and results. The Chief of Staff will handle complex cross-functional initiatives and decision support, allowing the SVP to focus on external engagement and leadership priorities.
Responsibilities
• Collaborate with the SVP to refine and execute the LSS multi-year strategic plan, including market intelligence, growth roadmaps, capture strategies, and portfolio expansion (services, solutions, and products).
• Support business development efforts by preparing customer briefings, white papers, win themes, and strategic partnership evaluations with primes, subcontractors, and government stakeholders.
• Monitor competitive landscape, DoD policy/budget shifts, regulatory changes, and emerging opportunities; provide timely analysis and recommendations.
• Lead special strategic projects such as new market entry, product/solution innovation initiatives, or diversification efforts.
• Support the business area’s operating rhythm, including preparation and facilitation of monthly/quarterly business reviews, P&L analysis, backlog tracking, bookings forecasts, and performance dashboards.
• Drive operational excellence across programs by identifying risks, coordinating recovery plans, optimizing resource allocation, and ensuring integration between services, solutions, and product delivery.
• Oversee key metrics and reporting (financial, operational, customer deliverables) while partnering with finance, contracts, quality, and program management teams to resolve bottlenecks and maintain compliance.
• Lead or support major capture/proposal efforts from both strategic and operational perspectives, ensuring delivery capability aligns with win strategies.
• Execute cross-functional process improvement and scaling initiatives, including tool/system implementations and post-acquisition integration.
• Prepare the SVP for executive meetings, customer engagements, industry events, and internal reviews; synthesize complex information into concise briefings, decision memos, and presentations.
• Facilitate leadership team alignment through staff meetings, offsites, and follow-up on action items.
• Act as a key liaison between the business area and corporate functions (BD, Finance, Legal, HR, Contracts) to accelerate decisions and remove obstacles.
• Manage high-priority special projects as assigned by the SVP.
Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Finance, or related field required.
• At least 5–10+ years of progressive experience in strategy, operations, program management, or consulting roles, with significant exposure to defense, aerospace, or government contracting.
• Strong understanding of DoD acquisition processes, GOVCON financial management, FAR/DFARS, and defense program execution.
• Demonstrated ability to move fluidly between strategic thinking and hands-on operational execution in a matrixed, fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional analytical, project management, communication, and executive presence skills.
• Proven track record of driving measurable business results (growth, efficiency, or performance improvement).
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance.
• Candidates must possess valid and compliant identification credentials to access federal and military facilities as required.
• If position requires travel by domestic flight or access to secure federal facilities/military bases, candidate must be able to obtain (by start of position) and maintain appropriate identification credentials, such as REAL ID.
Nice-to-haves
• Active or recent security clearance highly preferred.
• MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred.
Benefits
• medical/dental/vision options
• company paid life and disability insurances
• 401k with match
• education reimbursement
• company paid holidays
• paid time off (PTO)