Director, Business Operations

Serco; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Serco in San Diego seeks a visionary Leader to support the PAE Undersea and Submarine Programs portfolio, championing cradle-to-grave acquisition, and managing technical innovation, contracting, and lifecycle sustainment for advanced undersea platforms.

The Director, Business Operations provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and customer engagement support for complex Navy and defense programs, serving as a trusted advisor to senior government, military, and industry stakeholders

Qualifications

• Must have an active DoW Secret security clearance (with immediate eligibility to upgrade to TS/SCI preferred).
• Experience supporting defense operations and government program management.

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.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Program management

Stakeholder engagement

Acquisition lifecycle

Risk assessment

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.

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