Director, Business Operations

About the role

The Department of War and Department of the Navy is transforming how we design, field, and sustain maritime dominance. Under the newly restructured Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) model, the Navy has flattened traditional bureaucracy to deliver cutting‑edge capabilities at wartime speed. We are seeking a visionary leader to support the PAE Undersea and Submarine Programs portfolio. In this high‑impact role you will champion a “cradle‑to‑grave” acquisition philosophy, directly managing technical innovation, strategic contracting, and lifecycle sustainment for the world’s most advanced undersea platforms. The Director, Business Operations provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and customer‑engagement support for complex Navy and defense programs supporting the Undersea Warfare Enterprise. This position serves as a trusted advisor to senior government, military, and industry stakeholders, assesses program performance, identifies risks and opportunities, and provides recommendations that support mission execution and organizational objectives. The role operates primarily through influence, partnership, and matrix leadership and is not initially expected to have formal supervisory responsibilities. Extensive experience supporting defense operations, program management, business performance, and stakeholder engagement within complex government environments is required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior government and industry stakeholders regarding program execution, operational performance, risk mitigation, and strategic priorities.
• Support senior‑level customer engagement activities and maintain relationships across the Undersea Warfare Enterprise.
• Conduct independent assessments of program execution, schedule performance, industrial base readiness, and acquisition outcomes.
• Identify emerging risks, operational challenges, and improvement opportunities and provide actionable recommendations to leadership.
• Evaluate program performance measures, operational effectiveness, and organizational outcomes to support informed decision‑making.
• Support the development, implementation, and evaluation of operational processes, governance frameworks, performance metrics, and business practices.
• Analyze complex operational and business challenges and recommend solutions that improve effectiveness and efficiency.
• Support execution of complex government contracts and strategic initiatives.
• Lead and influence cross‑functional teams, stakeholders, and subject‑matter experts in support of program and business objectives.
• Promote collaboration across government, industry, and internal organizations to achieve mission success.
• Provide expertise regarding defense industrial base capabilities, supply‑chain considerations, acquisition strategies, and operational readiness.
• Monitor industry trends, emerging capabilities, and best practices relevant to Navy and defense programs.

Required qualifications

• Active U.S. Department of War (DoW) Secret security clearance (with immediate eligibility to upgrade to TS/SCI preferred).
• U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Program Management, Operations Management, Acquisition, or a related field.
• 10 + years of progressively responsible leadership experience supporting complex government, defense, acquisition, shipbuilding, sustainment, or related programs.
• Experience supporting the management, execution, or oversight of large‑scale government programs, contracts, or operational initiatives.
• Experience assessing program performance, operational risks, and business challenges and developing recommendations to improve outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to execute complex initiatives and influence stakeholders within a matrixed environment.
• Experience engaging with senior government, military, industry, and executive stakeholders.
• Ability to travel up to 25 % of the time.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience supporting submarine, maritime, naval warfare, or Undersea Warfare programs.
• Experience supporting NAVSEA, PEO organizations, OPNAV, SECNAV, or other Navy acquisition organizations.
• Direct experience supporting major Navy acquisition, modernization, or sustainment programs, including Virginia‑class or Columbia‑class programs.
• Knowledge of submarine industrial‑base initiatives, defense manufacturing, shipbuilding operations, and supply‑chain management.
• Experience with innovative acquisition approaches such as Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs), Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA) programs, or similar strategies.
• Active Top Secret (TS) security clearance.
• Master’s degree in Business, Engineering, Acquisition, Program Management, Operations Research, or a related discipline.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Robust vacation and sick‑leave benefits, with flexible work arrangements where permitted.
• 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Life insurance and disability coverage.
• Optional coverages (pet, home, auto, additional life and accident, critical illness, group legal, ID‑theft protection).
• Birth, adoption, and parental‑leave benefits.
• Employee Assistance Plan.