Defense Business Manager

Ford Motor Company

. Support senior leaders in defining and executing the roadmap to establish Ford Defense as a scalable business .

Posted 11/12/2026full-timeDearborn • Michigan • United StatesSeniorLead💰 $115,500 - $218,100 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in business management, strategic planning, and program management, with a strong focus on developing executive-level governance materials and KPIs. Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and drive accountability across complex organizational structures.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Business ManagementStrategic PlanningProgram ManagementExecutive CommunicationGovernance Frameworks

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Business Case DevelopmentKPI EstablishmentRisk ManagementDecision MakingPerformance Review Processes

Soft Skills

LeadershipCross-Functional CollaborationAnalytical ThinkingProblem SolvingCommunication

Industry Keywords

Complex OrganizationEnterprise FunctionsGovernance ModelOperational ReadinessFinancial Performance

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Support senior leaders in defining and executing the roadmap to establish Ford Defense as a scalable business
Translate strategic intent into workstreams, milestones, decisions, and accountable owners
Coordinate cross-functional stand-up activities across organizational boundaries, responsibilities, processes, systems, financial structures, and operating interfaces
Partner with Finance, Legal, Purchasing, HR, IT, Security, Engineering, Manufacturing, and other functions to implement required capabilities
Identify issues created by enterprise processes or policies and drive pragmatic solutions
Design and implement the internal governance model, including decision rights, approval authorities, management forums, escalation paths, and operating cadences
Establish leadership and enterprise-function interfaces with defined accountability
Develop executive-level governance materials, dashboards, decision briefs, and action tracking
Define and maintain business-management processes for planning, objectives, resource prioritization, risk management, and performance reviews
Serve as a trusted business partner to senior leaders and convert strategic priorities into coordinated execution
Develop business cases, options, recommendations, and executive summaries for investment, resource, partnership, and operating decisions
Establish and monitor KPIs covering financial performance, program execution, operational readiness, growth, risk, and organizational health
Coordinate strategic planning, operating reviews, and leadership priorities
Provide fact-based analysis and challenge assumptions to improve business performance and decision quality
Lead complex, ambiguous initiatives spanning multiple organizations
Drive action closure and accountability across leadership decisions and business-establishment workstreams
Support organizational change and communication as responsibilities, processes, and governance structures evolve
Adapt the role's scope as Ford Defense progresses from formation to steady-state operations and growth
Build repeatable processes and management systems and anticipate capability gaps

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree
8+ years of experience in business management, strategy, program management, operations, finance, engineering, or related roles within a complex organization
3+ years of experience leading cross-functional initiatives involving senior leaders and multiple enterprise functions
3+ years of program management and organizational skills, with the ability to convert ambiguous objectives into structured plans and measurable outcomes
2+ years of experience developing business cases, operating plans, KPIs, and executive-level recommendations
2+ years of executive communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex issues into concise decisions, risks, and recommendations
1+ years of experience with governance, internal controls, delegated authorities, compliance requirements, and risk-management frameworks
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States
Required to work onsite four or more days per week

Benefits

Comp & perks

Immediate medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage
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
Generous vacation time, sick/personal time, and paid holidays, including between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day