Director, Business Operations

Serco; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Serco Inc. seeks a visionary Director, Business Operations to lead DoD undersea programs and defense lifecycle efforts in a matrix environment from Columbia, SC.

You will guide strategy, performance assessment, risk mitigation, and stakeholder engagement across government and industry teams. Ideal candidates bring 10+ years of leadership in defense programs, DoW clearance, and a track record of complex contract execution.

Qualifications

• Active DoW Secret security clearance with immediate eligibility to upgrade to TS/SCI preferred.
• U.S. citizenship required.
• 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 programs.
• Experience managing large-scale government programs, contracts, or initiatives.
• Willingness to travel up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior government and industry stakeholders on program execution and strategic priorities.
• Support senior-level customer engagement activities and maintain relationships within the Undersea Warfare Enterprise.
• Conduct independent assessments of program execution, schedule performance, and acquisition outcomes.
• Identify risks and opportunities and provide actionable recommendations to leadership.
• Evaluate performance measures and support decision-making with data-driven insights.
• Support development and evaluation of governance, metrics, and business practices.

Skills

Leadership experience

Acquisition strategy

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic contracting

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Position Description & Qualifications

The Department of War and Department of the Navy is transforming how we design, field, and sustain maritime dominance. Under our 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. If you are a decisive leader ready to cut through institutional layers, integrate breakthrough commercial technologies, and secure our strategic advantage beneath the waves, we invite you to lead this critical mission

Must have an active U.S. Department of War (DoW) Secret security clearance (with immediate eligibility to upgrade to TS/SCI preferred).

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 role serves as a trusted advisor to senior government, military, and industry stakeholders by assessing program performance, identifying risks and opportunities, and providing recommendations that support mission execution and organizational objectives.

The Director collaborates across internal and external stakeholders in a matrixed environment to improve operational effectiveness, support contract execution, strengthen industrial base readiness, and drive successful customer outcomes. The position operates primarily through influence, partnership, and matrix leadership and is not initially expected to have formal supervisory responsibilities.

The role requires extensive experience supporting defense operations, program management, business performance, and stakeholder engagement within complex government environments.

In this role, you will:

• 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.

To be successful, you will have:

• An active 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.

• The ability to travel 25%.

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, including Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs), Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA) programs, or similar acquisition strategies.

• Active Top Secret (TS) security clearance.

• Master’s Degree in Business, Engineering, Acquisition, Program Management, Operations Research, or a related discipline.

Company Overview

Serco Inc. (Serco) is the Americas division of Serco Group, plc. In North America, Serco’s 9,000+ employees strive to make an impact every day across 100+ sites in the areas of Defense, Citizen Services, and Transportation. We help our clients deliver vital services more efficiently while increasing the satisfaction of their end customers. Serco serves every branch of the U.S. military, numerous U.S. Federal civilian agencies, the Intelligence Community, the Canadian government, state, provincial and local governments, and commercial clients. While your place may look a little different depending on your role, we know you will find yours here. Wherever you work and whatever you do, we invite you to discover your place in our world. Serco is a place you can count on and where you can make an impact because every contribution matters.

Serco does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies without being a contracted approved vendor. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Serco and will not be obligated to pay a placement or contract fee.

Serco is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Pay Transparency

Our Total Rewards package includes competitive pay, performance‑based incentives, and benefits that promote well‑being and work‑life balance—so you can thrive both professionally and personally. Eligible employees also gain access to a wide range of benefits from comprehensive health coverage and health savings accounts to retirement plans, life and disability insurance, and time‑off programs that support work‑life balance. Program availability may vary based on factors such as contract type, location, hire date, and applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Salary range: The range for this position can be found at the top of this posting. This range is provided as a general guideline and represents a good faith estimate across all experience levels. Actual base salary will be determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the scope of the role, relevant experience, job‑related knowledge, education and training, key skills, and geographic market considerations. For roles available in multiple states, the range may vary to reflect differences in local labor markets. In addition to base salary, eligible positions may include other forms of compensation such as annual bonuses or long‑term incentive opportunities.

Benefits — Comprehensible benefits for full‑time employees (part‑time employees receive a limited package tailored to their role):

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Robust vacation and sick leave benefits, and flexible work arrangements where permitted by role or contract

• 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds

• Tuition reimbursement program

• Life insurance and disability coverage

• Optional coverages that can be purchased, including pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection

• Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits

• Employee Assistance Plan

Serco complies with all applicable state and local leave laws, including providing time off under the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act for eligible Colorado residents, in alignment with our policies and benefit plans. The application window for this position is for no more than 60 days. We encourage candidates to apply promptly after the posting date, as the position may close earlier if filled or if the application volume exceeds expectations. Serco complies with the state and local leave laws and makes the application window available as stated.