Head of Staff

ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy operating across over 35 countries worldwide. We partner with industry leaders across sectors including Aeronautics, Aerospace, Defence, Naval, Automotive, Energy, Rail, IT and many more to deliver innovative engineering solutions that drive technological advancement & support sustainable transformation.

Our teams of passionate and agile engineers work on cutting-edge projects that shape the future of technology and sustainability. At ALTEN, we empower talented engineers to innovate, solve complex challenges, and deliver impactful solutions that build tomorrow’s world today.

Join us and start building tomorrow’s world today!

Role Purpose

The Chief of Staff (CoS) acts as a strategic partner of the UK CEO, ensuring visibility and analysis to ensure the organisation runs with clarity, discipline, and forward momentum. This role blends analytical rigour, organisational intelligence, and operational execution. The HoS will support the CEO in steering the business, shaping governance, driving performance, and enabling the leadership team to operate at their best.

This is a high‐intensity, high‐visibility role designed for a high‐potential individual seeking accelerated career development.

Key Responsibilities

1. Organisational Structure & Workforce Planning

• Maintain and continuously update head‐office organisation charts.
• Anticipate business and staffing needs through proactive analysis and scenario planning.
• Support the CEO in defining leadership roles, responsibilities, and structural evolution.

2. Leadership Objectives & Performance Management

• Work with Directors and Heads of Function to define clear annual and quarterly objectives.
• Consolidate and analyse performance data across business units and functions.
• Identify risks, gaps, and opportunities, providing actionable insights to the CEO.

3. Business Controlling & Strategic Analysis

• Consolidate financial, operational, and HR controlling data to support decision‐making.
• Produce high‐quality analysis, dashboards, and recommendations for the CEO and Group stakeholders.
• Monitor performance trends and escalate issues requiring executive attention.
• Ensure consistent reporting with Group Senior Leadership

4. Internal Projects & PMO Support

• Oversee or support internal strategic projects (e.g., M&A, process improvement, transformation).
• Track progress, risks, and dependencies, ensuring timely delivery and clear reporting.
• Act as PMO for selected CEO‐sponsored initiatives.

5. Governance & Executive Communication

• Prepare and guarantee high‐quality governance routines, including:
• Weekly executive meetings
• Group reporting
• Steering committees
• Town halls and internal communications
• Ensure all materials are accurate, insightful, and delivered on time.
• Draft CEO briefs, talking points, and strategic documents.

Required Profile

• Bachelor’s degree required; (Mandatory).
• Highly analytical, comfortable with complex data and structured problem‐solving.
• Excellent communication, both written and verbal, with the ability to simplify complexity.
• Gravitas and capacity to handle senior leadership interactions
• Strong business understanding and curiosity about how organisations operate and grow.
• Pragmatic, solutions‐oriented, and able to prioritise effectively.
• High intensity and commitment, thriving in a fast‐paced environment.
• Reactive and flexible, able to adapt quickly to shifting priorities.
• High potential, with ambition to progress into leadership roles.

Languages

• Fluent English (mandatory).
• French is a strong plus either already spoken or willingness to undertake intensive learning.

What Success Looks Like

• Direct exposure to executive‐level decision‐making from day one.
• Fast‐track career acceleration into leadership, M&A, finance, or operational roles.
• High‐impact remit with visibility across the entire organisation.
• Ideal for a top‐tier professional seeking a steep learning curve.

What we offer:

• Company benefits including Private Medical Healthcare, Life Insurance and Travel Insurance.
• Pension scheme with company contributions up to 5-6%;
• Cycle & Tech Scheme
• Employee assistance programme
• Social – Breakfast Tuesdays, Thirsty Thursdays and Pizza on the last Thursday of each month.

Any doubts?

Studies have shown that some groups of people are less likely to apply to a role unless they meet 100% of the job requirements. Whoever you are, if you like one of our jobs, we encourage you to apply as you might just be the candidate we are looking for. As an equal-opportunity employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute. Our commitment is to provide equal opportunities, an inclusive work environment, and fairness for everyone.