Chief of Staff

Chief of Staff (Electrical Engineering) Lisbon, Portugal Department: Management Employment Type: Permanent Contract with 6-month probation period Minimum Experience: Executive Level We are looking for an accomplished Chief of Staff to work directly with the CEO, providing strategic, operational, commercial, and technical support across the company's operations in Norway, Finland, and Portugal. This is a senior leadership position for an experienced electrical engineering professional who can bridge technical expertise and business strategy, coordinate C-suite priorities, drive strategic initiatives, and ensure effective execution of executive decisions. Working closely with the CFO, COO, CCO, CIO, and other executives, the Chief of Staff will prepare executive decision-making materials, coordinate cross-functional priorities, manage the executive meeting rhythm, and support communication with the Board and parent group, CTS Group. Key Responsibilities CEO Support and Executive Office - Act as the CEO's principal adviser and sounding board on business, operational, and technical matters. - Manage the CEO's priorities, agenda, and time allocation, acting as a filter and escalation point for issues requiring CEO attention. - Prepare briefings, analysis, presentations, and recommendations for CEO meetings, client meetings, and key decisions. - Follow up on CEO commitments and requests, ensuring timely completion across the organisation. - Represent the CEO in internal and external meetings when required, ensuring alignment and follow-up. C-Suite Coordination and Executive Meetings - Coordinate communication between the CEO and C-suite executives, including the CFO, COO, CCO, and CIO. - Manage weekly executive meetings, quarterly business reviews, and strategy sessions. - Set agendas, prepare pre-reading materials, record decisions, and track executive actions through completion. - Ensure alignment across functions on shared priorities and resolve or escalate cross-functional issues. - Coordinate executive input for Board meetings and CTS Group reporting with the CFO and functional leaders. Strategy and Business Planning - Support the CEO in defining, communicating, and cascading company strategy and annual objectives. - Coordinate annual business planning and budgeting with the CFO and executive team. - Analyse strategic opportunities, including market entry, growth options, partnerships, and emerging technologies such as renewables and BESS grid connections. - Provide engineering insight into strategic decisions, including technical and execution risks associated with major bids and projects. - Monitor progress against strategic objectives and identify risks, gaps, and corrective actions. - Develop new processes and procedures and improve existing ones using AI and emerging technologies, ensuring stakeholder engagement, implementation, and ongoing maintenance. Strategic Initiatives and Performance Reporting - Lead or coordinate high-priority, cross-functional initiatives on behalf of the CEO, from planning through delivery. - Develop and maintain company-level KPI dashboards covering commercial, operational, financial, and HSE performance. - Track the order book, sales pipeline, and key project performance in collaboration with Bid & Sales, Finance, and Project Delivery. - Prepare business cases and ad hoc analysis to support executive decisions. - Align DCS Norway processes and reporting with CTS Group requirements. - Work with the CEO to develop AI-enabled reporting structures and metrics for tracking strategic initiatives and business performance. Technical Advisory and Governance - Act as the CEO's technical adviser, reviewing the technical basis, assumptions, and risks of major bids, projects, and investment decisions. - Participate in or lead technical reviews with Engineering and Project Delivery, highlighting technical and execution issues. - Support technical discussions with clients, grid owners such as Statnett and Fingrid, partners, and key suppliers. - Assess new technologies, standards, and regulatory changes, including grid codes and NEK 440 / FEF updates. - Maintain the corporate governance framework, including delegations of authority and executive approval processes. - Act as a point of contact for the Board and parent group on behalf of the CEO. - Demonstrate a strong interest in AI and automation, with strong knowledge and practical skills using Claude (mandatory). Experience with other AI tools is an advantage. Education - Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, specialising in Power Systems or a related discipline, is required. - Senior professional engineering registration, such as Ordem dos Engenheiros – Membro Sénior or equivalent, is an advantage. - An MBA or postgraduate business qualification is an advantage. Professional Experience - Minimum 15 years of professional experience as an electrical engineer, including at least 10 years in the power, energy infrastructure, or EPC sector, ideally involving MV/HV substation projects. - At least 5 years in a senior leadership role, such as Engineering Manager, Technical Director, Project Director, or equivalent. - Proven experience working directly with CEOs, executive teams, and Boards, influencing decisions at executive level. - In-depth, hands-on understanding of the complete EPC project lifecycle, including tendering, engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning. - Experience leading complex, high-value projects or programmes and cross-functional initiatives in a growing or multi-country organisation. - Experience preparing Board-level reports and working with parent companies or investors. Technical And Business Skills - Senior-level electrical engineering expertise in MV/HV substations and power systems, with the technical authority to engage with design, bid, and project teams, clients, and grid owners. - Familiarity with power-sector standards and regulations, including IEC 61936-1, IEC 62271, NEK 440, FEF, and SFS 6001. - Understanding of project controls, technical and commercial risks, and the cost and margin drivers of EPC contracts. - Strong strategic, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to structure complex issues and recommend clear actions. - Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; experience with BI and dashboard tools such as Power BI is an advantage. - Solid understanding of business planning, budgeting, financial statements, and project-based business models. - Programme and project management skills, including planning, risk management, and governance. - Understanding of corporate governance, internal controls, and compliance across multiple jurisdictions. Interpersonal And Communication Skills - Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. Portuguese is an advantage. - Must have the right to work in the EU/EEA and be available to travel to Norway and Finland as required. - Strong organisational and multitasking capabilities. - Highest level of discretion, integrity, and professionalism when handling confidential information. - Ability to influence without direct authority and build trust with the CEO and C-suite executives. - Clear and structured communication skills, translating complex technical and commercial information into concise executive briefings. - Comfortable working in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment while managing multiple high-priority topics. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) - Delivery of strategic initiatives on time and against agreed objectives. - Timely preparation and quality of executive and Board materials. - Closure rate of CEO and executive actions within agreed deadlines. - Availability and accuracy of company KPI dashboards and management reporting. - CEO and C-suite feedback on the effectiveness of executive coordination and support. Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) - Comply with applicable health, safety, and environmental legislation, regulations, and company procedures. - Integrate safety-by-design principles into engineering and project activities, prioritising personnel, equipment, and environmental safety. - Participate in relevant risk assessments and hazard identification activities. - Report safety concerns, incidents, and near-misses in accordance with company HSE procedures. - Promote and maintain a positive safety culture within the team and across projects. - Ensure compliance with the company's Integrated Management System (IMS), covering quality, safety, and environmental standards. Replacement Policy - For absences of less than one month, the Chief of Staff will be replaced by the Chief Executive Officer. - For absences exceeding one-month, senior management will appoint a temporary replacement. Internal or external recruitment may apply in accordance with DCS Norway replacement policy guidelines. - The replacement will assume the key responsibilities outlined in the job description to ensure continuity in executive coordination and strategic initiatives. Compensation And Benefits - Annual variable performance bonus of 0–10%, subject to company and individual performance and an annual performance review. - Meal allowance of €10.46 per working day, provided via a meal card. - Private health insurance coverage for the employee. - 22 working days of annual leave, in accordance with Portuguese labour law. - For business travel outside Portugal, a nominal Portugal allowance of approximately €89 per day, with 50% payment for the final travel day. - The company will cover accommodation and travel costs for approved business trips, as reflected in the employment contract. - When the daily living-away allowance is paid, the meal card allowance is not payable.