Director of Operations

Essnova Solutions, Inc.; Washington; Remote; USD 170,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Essnova Solutions, Inc. is seeking a Director of Federal and SLED Operations to lead operational excellence and drive strategic growth. This role involves scaling the organization significantly while ensuring compliance and operational success across federal contracts. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in government contracting and a proven track record in leadership, making impactful decisions in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) participation with company match

Performance-based bonuses

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of experience in leading government contracting operations.
• Demonstrated experience in scaling small businesses from $25M to $75-100M.
• Strong working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, DCAA, and CMMI frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations across the organization.
• Implement and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Partner with the CEO to implement strategic plans for growth.

Skills

Operational Leadership

Strategic Vision

Team Management

Compliance Knowledge

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field

Tools

ClickUp

SharePoint

Jira

Job description

Essnova Solutions, Inc. provided pay range

This range is provided by Essnova Solutions, Inc.. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$170,000.00/yr - $250,000.00/yr

Direct message the job poster from Essnova Solutions, Inc.

Helping Organizations Grow Through People & Strategy

Director of Federal and SLED Operations

About Essnova Solutions

Essnova Solutions delivers innovative technology solutions and professional services to over 70 federal agencies and commercial clients, with expertise spanning software engineering, cybersecurity, AI/ML, geospatial services, program management, environmental services, and healthcare solutions. Founded in 2005 and based in Birmingham, Alabama, we're an award-winning, SBA 8(a) and HUBZone certified small business recognized as one of America's fastest-growing companies (ranking #163 on Inc. 500 and #20 by Financial Times). Led by CEO Sridhara Gutti (Alabama's SBA Small Business Person of the Year) and recently awarded the prestigious GSA OASIS+ contracts, Essnova offers a dynamic, fast-paced environment where our team of solution architects, engineers, and subject matter experts redefine what's possible through the essence of innovation.

The Opportunity

This is not your average Director of Operations role. As Essnova's operational leader and a key member of our executive team, you'll be at the forefront of our ambitious growth trajectory, helping scale our organization from $25M to $75-100M in just 1-2 years. You'll work directly with our CEO to translate strategic vision into operational excellence across our rapidly expanding federal contract portfolio.

We're at a pivotal moment in our growth journey. With our recent GSA OASIS+ contract win and expanding client base, we need a transformative operations leader who can build the infrastructure, processes, and team to support our next phase of expansion. This is a unique chance to join an award-winning company during a period of exceptional growth and make your mark.

We're looking for a dynamic leader who thrives in fast-paced environments, makes decisions with confidence, and isn't afraid to roll up their sleeves to get things done. If you've successfully scaled government contracting operations before and are looking for your next challenge with real impact, this is your opportunity to shine.

What You'll Do

Drive Operational Excellence

• Lead day-to-day operations across the organization, ensuring we deliver exceptional results on all contracts
• Implement and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) across all functional units, driving consistency and excellence throughout the organization
• Own full accountability for operational success and achievement of company-wide performance metrics
• Oversee the execution of federal contracts, ensuring compliance with FAR, DFARS, CMMI, and DCAA requirements
• Build and optimize scalable processes that allow us to grow rapidly while maintaining quality and efficiency
• Monitor KPIs and enforce timelines to ensure we consistently exceed client expectations

Lead Cross-Functional Teams

• Oversee and coordinate activities across PMO, HR, talent acquisition, and business development
• Build a culture of accountability and continuous improvement throughout the organization
• Lead performance management conversations and inspire teams to achieve their highest potential
• Develop and mentor the next generation of operational leaders within Essnova
• Foster collaborative relationships across departments to eliminate silos and encourage innovation

Drive Strategic Growth

• Partner with the CEO to implement our strategic plan to scale from $25M to $75-100M
• Prepare the organization for rapid growth through infrastructure development and capacity planning
• Support our business development team with operational expertise for proposals and new opportunities
• Capitalize on our recent GSA OASIS+ award to maximize revenue across multiple domains
• Identify and execute on operational improvements that create competitive advantages
• Develop and implement strategies to enter new markets and expand service offerings

Optimize Systems and Relationships

• Implement and refine operational tools and systems like ClickUp, SharePoint, and Jira
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key clients, partners, and vendors
• Act as a liaison between clients and internal teams to ensure alignment on expectations
• Create a culture of operational excellence that becomes a competitive advantage
• Manage resource allocation to maximize efficiency and profitability across contracts
• Identify and implement technology solutions that drive operational efficiencies

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications

• Non- negotiable: Demonstrated experience in scaling small businesses from $25M to $75-100M in annual revenue within 1-2 years
• Non-negotiable: 7-10 years of experience in leading government contracting operations
• Non-negotiable: Demonstrated experience in high-level operational leadership across multiple functional areas (HR, talent acquisition, BD, proposals, PMO)
• Strong working knowledge of FAR, DFARS, DCAA, and CMMI frameworks
• Experience managing day-to-day operations in a fast-paced, compliance-driven environment
• Proven ability to drive accountability, manage teams, and lead through ambiguity
• Entrepreneurial mindset with both strategic vision and tactical execution capabilities
• Exceptional communication skills and ability to lead difficult conversations
• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with or for private equity-backed firms, particularly in growth or transformation roles
• PMP, Six Sigma, Agile, or ITIL certifications
• Familiarity with Shipley methodology and proposal lifecycle
• Hands-on experience with ClickUp, SharePoint, Jira, or equivalent project management tools
• Experience with growth-stage government contractors and scaling operations
• Background in technology services delivery to federal clients

Why Join Essnova?

Real Impact, Real Growth You won't be just another executive in a large corporate hierarchy. At Essnova, your decisions and leadership will directly impact our growth trajectory. As we expand, so will your opportunities for advancement and professional development.

Mission-Driven Work Our work supports critical government missions across defense, civilian, and intelligence communities. Your leadership will enable innovative solutions that make a meaningful difference in how federal agencies serve citizens.

Award-Winning Culture Join a team that's been recognized for excellence at every level. From our Inc. 500 ranking to our USDA Small Disadvantaged Contractor of the Year award, we're building something special—and we want your expertise to help us reach even greater heights.

A Seat at the Table As a key member of our executive team working directly with the CEO, you'll have a voice in shaping not just operations but our overall business strategy. Your perspective and expertise will be valued as we make decisions that affect the entire company.

Compelling Rewards We offer a competitive compensation package designed to attract and retain top talent:

• Base salary range: $170,000-$250,000 (commensurate with experience)
• Performance-based bonuses directly linked to company growth achievements
• Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) participation with company match

Our Mission, Vision, and Values

Mission Our mission is to empower those who serve by leveraging relentless speed, unmatched efficiency, and bold, innovative solutions to achieve the extraordinary.

Vision United by exceptionalism, we craft history leaving an indelible mark on the world.

Values

EXCEPTIONAL We go above and beyond to deliver unparalleled quality; we exceed expectations.

HIGH PERFORMING We achieve superior results through focus, discipline, and operational excellence.

EXUDES OWNERSHIP We empower our employees to take responsibility, act swiftly, and drive success for all stakeholders.

INNOVATION DRIVEN We push boundaries to develop groundbreaking solutions.

CUSTOMER OBSESSED We relentlessly focus on understanding and anticipating the needs of those we serve.

Location

East Coast (Remote initially with potential relocation to DMV area in approximately one year)

How to Apply

Submit your resume along with a brief description of how you've successfully scaled operations in previous roles. Be specific about revenue growth, organizational size, and key achievements. Form here:

https://forms.office.com/r/xfx5etW523

Essnova Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Executive

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Information Technology, Business Development, and Project Management

• Industries

  Software Development and Government Administration

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Inferred from the description for this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

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