Head of Programs & Operations — Space & National Security

EVONA; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

EVONA, a high-growth space technology company in Colorado, seeks a hands-on Vice President of Programs & Operations to lead program execution and build scalable operational infrastructure. You will own end-to-end delivery across national security and commercial space missions, partnering with executives to remove blockers and drive cadence.

Ideal candidates bring 12+ years in program management, startup experience, and a TS/SCI clearance, with a proven ability to build teams, processes, and

Qualifications

• 12+ years of relevant program management, operations, or customer delivery experience.
• Experience building teams, processes, and operational structures from the ground up.
• At least 2 years in a startup or high-growth technology environment.
• Significant defense, national security, aerospace, or space industry experience.
• Experience delivering government programs and managing DoD/IC stakeholders.
• Experience delivering complex software or integrated software/hardware systems.
• Active TS or TS/SCI security clearance required.
• Based in Colorado or willing to relocate.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end execution of complex customer programs across national security and commercial space missions.
• Build and scale the program management function, including people, processes, reporting, and cadence.
• Establish repeatable onboarding, deployment, and delivery processes.
• Act as senior accountability for program delivery and mission success.
• Engage with government customers and senior stakeholders during execution.
• Partner with engineering, product, and customer teams to manage dependencies and schedules.
• Implement program reviews, tracking, dashboards, and reporting.
• Identify bottlenecks and build scalable solutions to improve speed and reliability.
• Translate growth into operational staffing, resources, and infrastructure requirements.
• Recruit and develop program management talent as the organization grows.
• Remain hands-on to solve execution challenges when needed.

Skills

Program management

Team building

DoD/IC engagement

TS/SCI clearance

Startup experience

Space industry

Stakeholder communication

Job description

EVONA, a high-growth space technology company in Colorado, seeks a hands-on Vice President of Programs & Operations to lead program execution and build scalable operational infrastructure. You will own end-to-end delivery across national security and commercial space missions, partnering with executives to remove blockers and drive cadence.

Ideal candidates bring 12+ years in program management, startup experience, and a TS/SCI clearance, with a proven ability to build teams, processes, and