Future Operational Planner (FOPS)

About the role

Makai LLC is seeking a Future Operational Planner (FOPS) to support organizational planning functions.

Responsibilities

• Apply expert knowledge of the Marine Corps Planning Process (MCPP) or equivalent structured planning processes in both Service and Joint operational environments.
• Lead Operational Planning Teams (OPTs) in deliberate, crisis action, and contingency planning.
• Provide expertise in force management processes, including force sourcing, allocation, and apportionment.
• Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of organizational capabilities, force structure, and limitations in operational planning and force employment.
• Support Crisis Action Planning Teams (CAPTs) and facilitate the transition from deliberate planning to executable crisis/contingency orders.
• Review, analyze, and provide recommendations for high-level operational plans, orders, and initiatives, including handling information of a sensitive or classified nature.
• Draft and produce order modifications (e.g., FRAGOs, WARNOs) and branch plans, ensuring integration with current operations and broader planning efforts.
• Support planning and operational battle rhythm events, ensuring the capture and timely dissemination of required meeting notes, products, and briefings.
• Maintain planning products, information papers, orders, and directives in compliance with records management requirements.
• Cookordination planning tasks and equities among various functional and planning groups, synchronizing future operations and planning elements.
• Conduct analysis, develop recommendations, and produce planning products under operational timelines and tight deadlines.

Requirements

• Minimum of 6 years of related experience in planning, operational analysis, or a similar function.
• Demonstrated experience using planning processes in support of organizational strategic or operational objectives.
• Strong background in developing operational plans, drafting orders, and supporting coordination for across teams or departments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Active DoD TS/SCI clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree.
• Experience supporting planning efforts for joint, combined, or multi-organizational environments.
• Knowledge of operational art/design concepts and the ability to frame complex planning efforts for competition, crisis, and contingency scenarios.
• Familiarity with developing or integrating new operational capabilities (e.g., cyber, exercise planning).
• Experience supporting contingency, crisis action, or training exercise planning efforts.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver analytic recommendations, reports, and executive-level briefings.

Benefits

• 11 Federal Holidays with Pay.
• Vacation (Personal/sick leave).
• Medical, Dental, Vision Wellness Participation Weight Loss Reimbursement.
• Health Care Flex Spending.
• Short Term/Long Term Disability.
• Savings Incentive Match Plan (Simple IRA).
• Basic Life Insurance.
• Tuition Assistance Program.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Other Paid Absences.
• Professional Memberships.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA).