Director of Business Operations & Growth

Apera; California; On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Apera, a leading aerospace manufacturer, seeks an Aerospace Business Unit Leader to own a key business unit and drive its next growth phase. You will be highly customer facing, commercially focused, and accountable for overall performance, including bookings, sales, EBITDA, pricing, and new business development.

You will lead a cross functional team spanning Sales, Operations, and Engineering, with significant P&L responsibility and executive engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher required.
• Experience in aerospace or a technical manufacturing environment.
• 5+ years of progressively increasing responsibility.
• Experience leading cross functional teams.
• Experience with customers, pricing, contracts, or new business development.
• Track record of driving measurable business results.

Responsibilities

• Owns full P&L and drives bookings, sales, EBITDA, pricing, and growth.
• Leads a cross functional team across Sales, Operations, and Engineering.
• Manages customer relationships and executive level engagement.
• Reviews contracts and negotiates terms.
• Delivers annual business planning and quarterly reviews.
• Drives continuous improvement of profitability and customer satisfaction.

Skills

Commercial leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Customer relationship management

Pricing and contracts

Ownership and accountability

Communication and relationship skills

Strategic growth and business growth

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Job description

A leading aerospace manufacturer is looking for an Aerospace Business Unit Leader to take ownership of a key business unit and help drive its next phase of growth.

This is not a traditional internal management role. You will be highly customer facing, commercially focused, and accountable for the overall performance of the business unit.

You will own Bookings, Sales, EBITDA, pricing, new business development, customer relationships, and strategic growth, while leading a cross functional team across Sales, Operations, and Engineering.

What You'll Own

• Full P&L accountability for your business unit
• Bookings, Sales, and EBITDA performance
• Business unit strategy and year over year growth
• Value based pricing and profitable new business
• Customer relationships and executive level engagement
• Contract review and negotiations
• New business development and growth initiatives
• Annual business planning and quarterly business reviews
• Leadership of a cross functional team spanning Sales, Operations, and Engineering
• Continuous improvement of responsiveness, profitability, and customer satisfaction

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who combines commercial instincts with strong business leadership.

You could come from a Business Unit Manager, General Manager, Sales Leader, Program Leader, Commercial Leader, or similar background within aerospace or technical manufacturing.

You’ll ideally bring:

• 5+ years of progressively increasing responsibility
• Bachelor's degree or higher
• Experience in aerospace or a technical manufacturing environment
• Strong commercial and financial acumen
• Experience leading cross functional teams
• Experience with customers, pricing, contracts, or new business development
• A track record of driving measurable business results
• Strong communication and relationship building skills
• A high level of ownership and accountability
• Willingness to travel approximately 25% to 40%

Why This Role

This is a high visibility leadership position with significant influence over the business unit's performance and growth.

You'll have direct exposure to customers and executive leadership while having meaningful ownership of the commercial and operational direction of the business.

If you're a commercially minded aerospace leader who wants real P&L ownership, customer exposure, and the opportunity to make a measurable impact, this is worth a conversation.