Chief of Staff

Northrop Grumman; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in the UK is seeking a Chief of Staff to support the MD of National Security Solutions. This critical role involves driving strategy, managing key initiatives, and coordinating across various teams. Ideal candidates will have experience in the defense sector, excellent financial acumen, and strong communication skills. The position offers a salary between £70,000 and £80,000, with significant travel requirements and office presence exceeding standard hybrid models.

Benefits

Flexible and hybrid working options

Private health care

Career development opportunities

Performance bonuses

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in the defence and security community.
• Adept at managing competing priorities at a leadership level.
• Must be able to gain and maintain UK Government security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Support the MD on strategy, planning, and business development.
• Compile and coordinate reports for the MD.
• Organise and serve as Secretary to NSS LT meetings.

Skills

Financial acumen

Problem-solving skills

Excellent communication

Organisational skills

Negotiation skills

Leadership experience

Job description

The Chief of Staff is a critical role, supporting our MD of National Security Solutions to drive strategy, key initiatives and projects. Reporting to the MD NSS and supporting the NSS Leadership Team, the Chief of Staff works collaboratively with teams and functions across NSS, NG and externally to support strategy development, mobilise change, support delivery of key initiatives and coordinate across NGUK and the wider corporation.

Salary: £70,000 - £80,000.

Travel requirements: Regular and frequent UK travel and occasional international travel will be required. Please note that this role is likely to require office presence in excess of NG's standard hybrid model.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting the MD (working with other key Directors) on issues of strategy, planning, business development, corporate issues and government relations.
• Compiling and coordinating management reports for the MD, including drafting monthly reports for corporate and key Board / ELT presentations with the team.
• Organising and serving as the Secretary to the NSS LT, Monthly Business Unit Reviews and Business Development Reviews.
• Coordinating / supporting NSS strategy development.
• Providing support to special projects as required.

Qualifications & Experience

• Security clearance: You must be able to gain and maintain the relevant UK Government security clearance in line with the job role (SC). Our requirement team is on hand to answer any questions and we will guide you through the process: [e-mail].
• Demonstrable experience in and understanding of the defence and security community.
• Adept at dealing with competing priorities and deadlines at a leadership level (supporting Directors and above); the candidate must be responsive, pro‑active and enjoy working in a dynamic environment.
• Experienced in operating within a matrix environment and influencing senior peers.
• Must be highly numerate and have good financial acumen and experience managing budgets.
• An individual who is looking to play a major part in supporting business growth and operational maturity.
• Excellent communicator who can provide clear and concise messaging both externally to customers and internally within Northrop Grumman.
• A collaborative individual with the confidence and integrity to earn stakeholders' confidence.
• Strong logic, drafting and presentation development skills.
• Excellent problem‑solving, influencing, negotiation and organisational skills.

Why Join Us

• Be part of our global team of 100,000 colleagues – The possibilities for your future career are only limited by your drive. Whether you're looking for a hands‑on internship or your next leadership position, we have career opportunities across the world. Northrop Grumman continues to expand and broaden our presence in global markets and strengthen our partnerships with local industry.
• A mission to believe in – Every day we contribute to building a more secure and connected world, expanding our reach from land, sea, and air to space and cyberspace. From engineering data and intelligence solutions, to developing maritime navigation and control systems and innovating command and control systems for the UK and NATO, what we do together matters.
• A place to belong and thrive – Every voice matters at our table meaning you can bring your authentic self to work. From our Employee Resource Groups backed by thousands of employees, to sponsoring Cheltenham Pride and our partnerships with Association For Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers, Forces Transition Group, Mind, and Women in Defence - we are passionate about growing and supporting our inclusive community where everyone can belong.
• Opportunity – This is more than just a job; it's a mission.
• We can offer you a range of flexible and hybrid working options to suit you, including optional compressed working schedule with every other Friday off. Our benefits include private health care, career development opportunities and performance bonuses. For a comprehensive list of benefits, speak to our recruitment team.
• Your career, your way – Shape your career journey with diverse roles, mentorship, and development opportunities that fuel your curiosity, channel your expertise and nurture your passion. Looking for flexibility? Balance your professional career with your personal life, health and wellbeing benefits, discount schemes, pension benefits and investment in your future development. Speak to our team to find the balance that's right for you.