Director Strategic Operations

About the role

BAE Systems is hiring a Director I – Strategic Operations to support our Maritime Solutions business in Jacksonville, FL. The Director leads Production Craft Managers and Supervisors to achieve company goals, specifically safety and delivery of projects under budget and on-time while maintaining quality and relationships. The Director leads the production crafts at the Jacksonville Shipyard; directly managing and coordinating production activities, production shops, and related facilities and resources. The role will develop, maintain, and direct all aspects of the Jacksonville Production Craft Managers and Supervisors.

Responsibilities

• Leads the production crafts that directly support the Operations Department and shipyard business objectives.
• Maintains a strategic view of craft performance and evaluates overall staffing-level requirements consistent with the business plan and projected changes in work volume.
• Works with Planning, PMO, and Operations to build accurate schedules, budgets, and staffing plans that are used to monitor, control, and adjust workflows as the projects progress.
• Supports the estimating and planning phases of projects by providing accurate trade estimates and execution strategy with profitable capture of projects as primary objective.
• Participates in reviews and analysis of projects in execution, ensuring schedule and cost objectives are being achieved or appropriate corrective actions initiated.
• Continually monitors performance of projects in execution, to include review of Cost Performance Index (CPI), Schedule Performance Index (SPI), Estimated Time to Completion (ETC), and Estimated Actual Completion (EAC) on product lines.
• Seeks continuous improvements utilizing historical data to achieve improved performance.
• Takes timely and appropriate action to ensure all cost, quality, and schedule criteria are met and overall performance is improved.
• Develops accurate, concise changes in scope of base work package and as found conditions by initiating/writing the CFR to describe the problem.
• Reports and leads corrective action on production technical problems that are design and/or manufacturing in nature.
• Removes roadblocks identified by Production Supervisors, Area Managers, and Production workers.
• Provides direction regarding shop investment, process improvement, and training.
• Ensures proper staffing by analyzing the business plan, forecasting the craft personnel and craft management necessary to achieve the shipyard business objectives effectively and efficiently, and continually adjusting and maintaining the required levels of both.
• Creates a business culture where people are valued and engaged.
• Participates in talent attraction and acquisition activities including supporting hiring events, conducting interviews, and contributing to hiring decisions.
• Manages employee performance and takes appropriate action regarding salary increases, promotions, mentoring, training, disciplining, etc.
• Drives ethical behavior and instills a culture of Safety, Health, and Environmental (SHE) excellence throughout the production workforce.
• Champions continuous improvement of Safety processes and compliance with SHE objectives and policies.
• Promotes programs and processes such as PPE, stretch and flex, housekeeping, discussing job hazard analysis, and accident prevention.
• Leads and influences organizational transformation and change to drive the mission forward, continuously improve, and optimize a diverse workforce.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree and 12 years of work experience or equivalent experience
• Experience in Program/Operations Management
• Experience in People Management/Leadership
• Experience in Marine/Maritime, Shipbuilding/Ship Repair
• Experience in planning, scheduling, budgeting, estimating, resource allocation, risk and opportunity management
• Knowledge of shipyard production procedures, ship repair methods, and related government regulations and administrative procedures
• Knowledge of shipyard craft operations related to machinery, tooling, safety, etc.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic plans
• Ability to schedule, direct, and organize work within a diverse department and coordinate cross-functionally to maintain efficiency
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines effectively
• Ability to work within a dynamic environment and respond well to last minute, high priority, time sensitive projects
• Ability to handle the pressure of constant interruptions
• Ability to interface and communicate with all levels of internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to lead, coach, mentor, and motivate employees in an evolving production environment
• Ability to facilitate group decision-making, team building, and conflict resolution
• Ability to research problem areas and special requests
• Ability to react and perform in emergency situations
• Self-starter that is well-organized, detail-oriented, and customer-focused
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication and presentation skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Degree in Engineering, Project Management, Business, Finance, or similar
• Experience in US Navy Defense Ship Repair
• Experience in Change Management and Continuous Improvement
• Knowledge of OSHA and Environmental regulations
• Ability to understand work specifications, work orders, blueprints, contracts, and technical publications
• Ability to support growth initiatives, business development strategies, proposal development, and contract negotiations
• Ability to lead workforce development, training, upskilling, reskilling, etc.
• Ability to participate in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) initiatives
• Comfortable working in an industrial shipyard environment

Pay

Full-Time Salary Range: $153,377 - $260,743. This range is based on market pay structures; individual salaries are determined by factors including business considerations, local market conditions, internal equity, and candidate qualifications such as skills, education, and experience.

Benefits

Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. Also available: an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on home, auto, and pet insurance. Leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, paid parental leave, military leave, bereavement leave, and applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program for monetary or non-monetary awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.

About the Company

BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support. Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.