Senior Business Performance & Strategy Lead (f/m/d)

Req ID 85132 | Friedrichshafen, Germany, ZF Friedrichshafen AG

We are looking for an experienced Senior Business Performance & Strategy Lead to join our Strategy & Transformation organization. The position is administratively posted in Friedrichshafen, Germany, but can be filled from any ZF location worldwide. 

About the team:

You will be a part of newly formed, cross‑functional high-performing expert group designed to work temporarily on high impact strategic solutions while building a sustainable internal talent pipeline. As a Senior Business Performance & Strategy Lead, you will work directly with senior leaders across divisions, regions, and functions, shaping ZF’s performance agenda and influencing enterprise‑wide transformation. You will operate at high strategic altitude, drive decision‑making, and ensure delivery of key components of our perfomance programs. Organizationally, you will be part of the Strategy & Transformation department. This role offers exceptional visibility, high impact, and the opportunity to build and shape a new team, while contributing to ZF’s long‑term performance trajectory. 

What you can look forward to as Senior Business Performance & Strategy Lead:

• Provide strategic leadership and full accountability for the global implementation of the ZF's Performance Programs
• Oversee, steer, and further professionalize Performance Days across divisions
• Prepare and deliver high‑impact performance reports for senior leadership and the Board of Management
• Act as a trusted business partner to divisions/functions to secure target achievement
• Ensure integration of divisional targets with the Operating Plan and Rolling Forecast
• Lead high‑impact problem‑solving, drive root‑cause identification, and design practical solutions
• Coach stakeholders using deep expertise in performance and finance steering mechanisms
• Define and drive transformation initiatives, ensuring direction, alignment, and execution discipline
• Manage junior team members and ensure quality assurance across performance deliverables
• Work in a truly global and cross‑functional environment with direct influence on ZF’s transformation roadmap

Development Program:

All members of the team are planned to participate in a comprehensive Development Program designed to build the next generation of leaders within ZF. This program will run in parallel to the team’s project work enhancing functional expertise, leadership capability, and readiness for future senior roles.

Your profile as Senior Business Performance & Strategy Lead:

Professional & Technical Expertise

• 10+ years of experience in performance management, finance steering, strategy, transformation, or consulting
• Or deep experience in operations, purchasing, sales
• Deep mastery of performance steering, KPI frameworks, financial planning and transformation processes
• Strong ability to coach teams and influence senior stakeholders

Leadership & Autonomy

• Operate independently with full ownership
• Leads cross‑functional teams and drives alignment at senior levels
• Ensures excellence and decision‑ready output with minimal oversight

Stakeholder Management
Experience collaborating with:

• Top Management incl. CEO's and CFO's
• Operational Leaders e.g. Purchasing, Sales, etc.

Problem Solving & Executive Communication

• Leads structured, high‑impact problem solving in complex environments
• Synthesizes insights into clear leadership recommendations
• Confident communicator with strong executive presence

Transformation Leadership

• Designs and leads major transformation initiatives
• Manages junior contributors and ensures delivery quality
• Drives global collaboration, alignment, and organizational improvement

Contact

Justyna Gadzińska

justyna.gadzinska@zf.com