Senior Lead, Enterprise Strategy and Operations (R6097)

Shield AI
San Diego, CA
On-site

Who this role is best for

Geared toward experienced strategists comfortable with capital allocation and cross-functional execution in defense and aerospace domains.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with 12+ years of experience and a background in strategy consulting or corporate strategy
    — “Min 12+ years of experience with Bachelors, 8+ with Masters, and 5+ with PhD.”
  • Individuals with a proven track record in leading complex, cross-functional transformations in technical industries
    — “Experience leading complex, cross-functional transformations in fast-paced, technology-driven environments”
  • Professionals with strong financial modeling and analytical skills for evaluating investment decisions
    — “Build financial models and analytic frameworks for investment decisions”

Things to consider

  • U.S. citizenship is mandatory due to the need for a security clearance
    — “U.S. citizenship required (ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance).”
  • The role involves structured operating cadences and performance tracking
    — “Track and report on progress through structured operating cadences (monthly and quarterly performance reviews).”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience in driving enterprise strategy and capital allocation in regulated industries
    — “Contribute to the development of enterprise-wide capital allocation frameworks and governance processes.”
  • Demonstrate ability to translate strategic goals into operational KPIs and milestones
    — “Translate strategic priorities into cross-functional execution plans with defined KPIs and milestones.”
  • Emphasize prior work in conducting market sizing and competitive analysis in defense sectors
    — “Conduct market sizing, competitive analysis, and scenario modeling across U.S. and allied defense markets.”
Pace · Fast PacedCollaboration · HighAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · Company

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • successful execution of strategic initiatives
  • development of robust financial models
  • effective cross-functional collaboration
Typical background
strategy consultingcorporate strategy roleshigh-rigor roles

Skills & requirements

Required

Strategic PlanningFinancial ModelingCross-functional CollaborationComplex Problem-solvingAnalytical SkillsMarket Analysis

Preferred

Defense Industry ExperienceAerospace Industry ExperienceAI Industry ExperienceAdvanced Manufacturing Experience

Stack & domain

Financial ModelingAnalytical CapabilityMarket SizingCompetitive AnalysisScenario ModelingStrategic PlanningCapital AllocationOperationalization Of StrategyComplex, Cross-functional TransformationsStructured Operating CadencesAbility To Work Collaboratively Across TeamsInfluence Senior StakeholdersLeadershipCommunicationProblem-solvingTeamworkDefenseAerospaceAIAdvanced Manufacturing

About the role

Original posting from Shield AI via Lever

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. 

What you'll do::

Enterprise Strategy Development:

  • Support the multi‑year strategic planning and annual operating strategy cycles.
  • Evaluate portfolio tradeoffs across platforms, software, hardware, and emerging growth vectors.
  • Conduct market sizing, competitive analysis, and scenario modeling across U.S. and allied defense markets.

Capital Allocation & Business Case Rigor:

  • Build financial models and analytic frameworks for investment decisions (new platforms, manufacturing, international expansion).
  • Assess TAM, margin structure, capital intensity, payback, and risk‑adjusted returns.
  • Contribute to the development of enterprise‑wide capital allocation frameworks and governance processes.

Operationalization of Strategy:

  • Translate strategic priorities into cross‑functional execution plans with defined KPIs and milestones.
  • Lead the planning and execution of integration efforts for acquisitions, strategic investments, and other inorganic growth initiatives.
  • Track and report on progress through structured operating cadences (monthly and quarterly performance reviews).
  • Identify bottlenecks, analyze root causes, and recommend actionable solutions to sustain execution velocity.

Required qualifications::

Min 12+ years of experience with Bachelors, 8+ with Masters, and 5+ with PhD.

Min 4+ years’ experience in a strategy consulting, corporate strategy or other high‑rigor roles.

Strong analytical and conceptual problem‑solving abilities.

Experience leading complex, cross-functional transformations in fast-paced, technology-driven environments

Demonstrated ability to structure ambiguous problems and drive insight through analysis.

Financial modeling and analytical capability (unit economics, forecasting, scenario analysis).

Experience or strong interest in complex, technical, or regulated industries (aerospace, defense, AI, or advanced manufacturing preferred).

Ability to work collaboratively across teams and influence senior stakeholders.

U.S. citizenship required (ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance).

Full-time regular employee offer package:

Pay within range listed + Bonus + Benefits + Equity

Temporary employee offer package:

Pay within range listed above + temporary benefits package (applicable after 60 days of employment)

Salary compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, licenses and certifications, and specific work location. All offers are contingent on a cleared background and possible reference check. Military fellows and part-time employees are not eligible for benefits. Please speak to your talent acquisition representative for more information.

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Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.

Source: Shield AI careers (Lever)

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