Chief of Staff to the CEO – Electrical Engineering & Energy Infrastructure

Chief of Staff to the CEO – Electrical Engineering & Energy Infrastructure

Location: Portugal
Sector: Energy Infrastructure / HV Substations / EPC
Experience: 15+ years
Package: Competitive salary and benefits package
Travel: Occasional travel to project locations across Europe

The Opportunity

We are seeking a highly experienced electrical engineering professional to join a growing European energy infrastructure business as Chief of Staff to the CEO.

Based in Portugal, this is a senior strategic position combining executive leadership support, business planning, technical advisory and cross-functional coordination. Working directly with the CEO and executive leadership team, you will help drive business priorities, translate strategic objectives into actionable plans and ensure key initiatives are delivered across multiple European markets.

Unlike a traditional Chief of Staff role, this opportunity requires substantial technical expertise in electrical engineering and high-voltage infrastructure. You will bring the credibility to engage directly with engineering, bidding and project delivery teams, challenge technical and commercial assumptions, and provide informed insight into major projects and business decisions.

You will also play an important role in business performance reporting, executive governance, process improvement and the adoption of AI and automation technologies to improve decision-making and operational efficiency.

This is an opportunity for an established engineering leader who wants to broaden their influence beyond technical delivery and play a direct role in shaping business strategy, growth and operational performance.

Key Responsibilities

CEO Support & Executive Leadership

• Act as a trusted adviser and sounding board to the CEO on strategic, operational, commercial and technical matters.
• Coordinate executive priorities, ensuring key decisions and commitments are translated into clear actions with defined owners and deadlines.
• Prepare executive briefings, management presentations, business analysis and recommendations to support decision-making.
• Monitor the progress of CEO priorities and ensure outstanding actions are followed through across the business.
• Represent the CEO at selected internal and external meetings where appropriate.
• Help ensure effective communication and alignment between the CEO and senior leadership team.

Executive Coordination & Governance

• Coordinate the activities of the executive leadership team across finance, operations, commercial, technology and project delivery.
• Organise executive meetings, quarterly business reviews and strategic planning sessions.
• Prepare agendas and briefing materials, document decisions and monitor actions through to completion.
• Identify cross-functional issues, resolve coordination challenges and escalate matters requiring executive intervention.
• Coordinate information and reporting for Board meetings and wider group-level reviews.
• Support the development and maintenance of governance frameworks, approval processes and management controls.

Strategy & Business Planning

• Support the CEO in defining, communicating and implementing company strategy and annual business objectives.
• Coordinate business planning and budgeting activities with finance and functional leaders.
• Analyse growth opportunities, market developments, potential partnerships and emerging technologies within the power and energy infrastructure sectors.
• Provide technical and project delivery insight into major bids, investment decisions and strategic initiatives.
• Monitor performance against business objectives, identifying risks, gaps and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead the development and implementation of improved business processes, leveraging AI and automation where appropriate.
• Help ensure strategic priorities are translated into measurable outcomes across the organisation.

Strategic Initiatives & Performance Reporting

• Lead or coordinate high-priority initiatives on behalf of the CEO, from initial planning through to implementation.
• Develop and maintain management dashboards covering financial, commercial, operational, project delivery and HSE performance.
• Monitor order book, sales pipeline, project performance and business growth alongside commercial, finance and delivery teams.
• Prepare business cases, financial analysis and performance reports to support executive decisions.
• Improve the consistency and quality of management information across multiple business functions.
• Explore the use of AI and emerging technologies to streamline reporting, track strategic initiatives and improve access to business insights.
• Support alignment of internal processes and reporting with wider group requirements.

Technical Advisory & Engineering Governance

• Act as a senior technical adviser to the CEO on MV/HV substations, power systems and energy infrastructure projects.
• Review technical assumptions, execution strategies, risks and commercial implications associated with major bids and projects.
• Work with engineering and project delivery teams to identify technical challenges and improve project execution.
• Support technical discussions with clients, grid operators, partners and key suppliers.
• Monitor relevant developments in electrical engineering standards, grid codes and regulatory requirements.
• Assess the potential impact of new technologies and industry developments on business strategy and project delivery.
• Apply a strong understanding of the full EPC lifecycle, from tendering and design through procurement, construction, testing and commissioning.
• Champion the practical application of AI and automation to improve business processes, analysis and reporting.

Requirements

Education & Professional Background

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, ideally specialising in power systems or a related discipline.
• Senior professional engineering registration is advantageous.
• An MBA or postgraduate qualification in business, management or leadership is beneficial.

Experience

• Minimum of 15 years' professional electrical engineering experience, including at least 10 years in power, energy infrastructure or EPC environments.
• At least 5 years in a senior leadership position, such as Engineering Manager, Technical Director, Project Director or equivalent.
• Demonstrable experience working directly with CEOs, executive teams or Boards and influencing senior-level decisions.
• Strong understanding of the full EPC project lifecycle for MV/HV substations or comparable power infrastructure projects.
• Experience leading complex projects, strategic initiatives or cross-functional programmes.
• Exposure to business planning, financial performance, commercial risk and project-based business models.
• Experience with executive reporting, corporate governance or multi-country operations is highly desirable.

Technical & Business Skills

• Senior-level electrical engineering knowledge covering MV/HV substations and power systems.
• Familiarity with relevant international and regional electrical standards and regulations.
• Strong understanding of project controls, EPC contract risks, cost management and commercial performance.
• Excellent strategic thinking, analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Good understanding of budgeting, financial statements, business planning and performance measurement.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; Power BI or similar dashboard tools are advantageous.
• Strong programme management, risk management and governance capabilities.
• Demonstrable proficiency with Claude AI is required, alongside a genuine interest in AI, automation and emerging business technologies.

Leadership & Communication

• Excellent written and spoken English; Portuguese language skills are advantageous.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to turn complex technical and commercial issues into clear executive recommendations.
• High levels of discretion, integrity and professionalism when handling confidential information.
• Ability to influence stakeholders without relying on direct reporting authority.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A collaborative leadership style, with the confidence to challenge assumptions and drive accountability.

Location & Eligibility

• Based in or willing to relocate to Portugal.
• Must have the right to work within the EU/EEA.
• Willingness to travel to project locations across Europe when required.

What’s on Offer?

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• A senior strategic position working directly with the CEO and executive leadership team.
• The opportunity to influence business strategy, operational performance and international growth.
• A unique combination of executive leadership, electrical engineering and commercial decision-making.
• The opportunity to drive AI adoption, automation and business process transformation.
• Exposure to major European power infrastructure and HV substation projects.
• A platform to broaden your career beyond traditional engineering or project leadership into executive-level business management.

Interested in This Opportunity?

If you are a senior electrical engineering professional with strong business acumen, leadership experience and an interest in shaping company strategy, we would welcome a confidential conversation about this opportunity in Portugal.

Apply today to explore your next career move.