Associate Director of Strategic Economic Initiatives & Chief of Staff

We are the movers of the world and the makers of the future. We get up every day, roll up our sleeves and build a better world -- together. At Ford, we’re all a part of something bigger than ourselves. Are you ready to change the way the world moves? 

In This Position...

The Associate Director of Strategic Economic Initiatives & Chief of Staff will serve as a trusted advisor and execution partner to COO & Head of Innovation driving alignment across key priorities, managing cross-functional initiatives, and ensuring the organization is operating effectively at both strategic and operational levels. This role combines high-level strategy development with hands-on program management, requiring strong judgment, analytical ability, and leadership presence.

What You'Ll Do...

Strategic Initiatives

• Lead and manage high-priority projects that cut across teams, ensuring initiatives are scoped, resourced, and delivered on time. 
• Support strategic planning processes; translate organizational vision into clear roadmaps and measurable outcomes. 
• Conduct market, ecosystem, and policy analysis to inform decision-making and identify emerging opportunities or risks. 
• Build executive-level presentations, briefing materials, and narratives that communicate strategy and progress. 

Chief of Staff Functions 

• Serve as a thought partner to COO & Head of Innovation , helping prioritize workload, prepare for key meetings, and maximize impact. 
• Drive executive team meetings: set agendas, track follow-ups, and ensure accountability. 
• Facilitate cross-team alignment, proactively surfacing conflicts and ensuring resolution. 
• Represent leadership in internal and external forums 

You'Ll Have...

• Minimum Bachelor's Degree of Business Administration
• 8+ years of experience in economic development, mobility, public policy, government affairs, or related fields 
• Deep understanding of innovation ecosystems, startup development, and the role of public policy in driving economic growth 
• Proven track record of building partnerships across sectors and navigating complex stakeholder environments 
• Strong communication and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to move from vision to execution 
• Experience working in or with government, foundations, or mission-driven private sector organizations 
• Passion for place-based innovation and inclusive economic development, particularly in urban settings 
• Competitive nature with a desire to see impactful results 
• Creative and curious problem solver with the flexibility to manage through roadblocks and adjust strategy to achieve goals 

You may not check every box, or your experience may look a little different from what we've outlined, but if you think you can bring value to Ford Motor Company, we encourage you to apply!

As an established global company, we offer the benefit of choice. You can choose what your Ford future will look like: will your story span the globe, or keep you close to home? Will your career be a deep dive into what you love, or a series of new teams and new skills? Will you be a leader, a changemaker, a technical expert, a culture builder…or all of the above? No matter what you choose, we offer a work life that works for you, including:

• Immediate medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage
• Flexible family care days, paid parental leave, new parent ramp-up programs, subsidized back-up child care and more
• Family building benefits including adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility treatments, and more
• Vehicle discount program for employees and family members and management leases
• Tuition assistance
• Established and active employee resource groups
• Paid time off for individual and team community service
• A generous schedule of paid holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Paid time off and the option to purchase additional vacation time. 

This position is a salary grade 6.

For more information on salary and benefits, click here: New Hire Benefits

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. 

Candidates for positions with Ford Motor Company must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status or protected veteran status. In the United States, if you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability, please call 1-888-336-0660.

This position is hybrid. Candidates who are in commuting distance to a Ford hub location may be required to be onsite four or more days per week. #LI-Hybrid   #LI-MG1