Director, Business Operations

Serco; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Serco seeks a visionary Leader to support the Navy's Undersea Warfare programs, delivering cradle-to-grave acquisition leadership, lifecycle sustainment, and strategic contracting.

This role requires an active DoW Secret clearance with TS/SCI upgrade eligibility, U.S. citizenship, and 10+ years in defense program leadership. Travel up to 25% and the ability to influence cross‑functional teams are essential.

Qualifications

• Active DoW Secret clearance; TS/SCI upgrade eligibility preferred.
• U.S. citizenship.
• 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in complex government/defense programs.
• Experience managing large-scale government programs, contracts, or initiatives.
• Experience assessing performance, risks, and recommendations to improve outcomes.
• Ability to travel 25%.

Responsibilities

• Serve as trusted advisor to senior government and industry stakeholders on program execution and strategic priorities.
• Support senior-level customer engagement across Undersea Warfare Enterprise.
• Conduct independent assessments of program execution, schedule performance, and industrial base readiness.
• Identify risks and opportunities and provide actionable recommendations to leadership.
• Evaluate program performance and inform decision-making.
• Support development and evaluation of processes, governance, metrics, and practices.
• Lead cross-functional teams and promote collaboration across organizations.
• Provide expertise on defense industrial base capabilities, supply chain, and acquisition strategies.
• Monitor industry trends and best practices relevant to Navy and defense programs.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Program management

Risk assessment

Acquisition strategies

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

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:

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