Operations Director

Be Pro Be Proud; Little Rock (AR); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Be Pro Be Proud seeks an Operations Director to lead the national Mobile Workshop tour network, guiding scheduling, routing, and program delivery. You will oversee Tour Managers and schedulers across states, align activities with strategic goals, and drive continuous improvement of tours and engagements.

You will manage budgets, vendor contracts, and procurement for new units while coordinating with partners to ensure equipment remains operational and effective.

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of operations or program management experience, preferably overseeing multi-location operations.
• Experience managing field-based teams or touring operations.
• Demonstrated budget management experience, including P&L or departmental budget ownership.

Responsibilities

• Lead national tour operations and optimize delivery of the Mobile Workshop experience.
• Oversee scheduling, routing, and event selection to align with program goals.
• Manage budgets, per diem, fabrication and procurement for mobile units and simulators.
• Coordinate with vendors, partners and state teams to ensure equipment readiness and reliability.
• Directly manage Tour Managers and schedulers in nationally-managed states.

Skills

Operations management

Budget management

Vendor management

Team leadership

Strategic planning

Job description

The Operations Director provides strategic and operational leadership for the Be Pro Be Proud Mobile Workshop tour network, currently supporting a growing fleet of 12 Mobile Workshops across 9 states. The level of direct operational oversight varies by state, depending on each state’s relationship with national — ranging from full management of Tour Managers and schedulers (e.g., Alabama, Arkansas) to a more advisory or coordination role in partner-managed states.

This role is responsible for ensuring the effective delivery, scheduling, and continuous improvement of the Mobile Workshop experience. The Operations Director leads efforts to optimize tour activity, oversees and coordinates tour scheduling across the network, and ensures alignment between Tour Managers, schedulers, and partners. This includes driving efficient routing, maximizing engagement opportunities, managing budgets and incentive structures, and ensuring tours meet projected outcomes.

The Operations Director oversees Tour Managers and schedulers (in nationally-managed states), monitors tour activity and performance across the full network, supports the fabrication, procurement, and deployment of new Mobile Workshops and simulators, and works closely with vendors and partners to ensure equipment remains operational and effective.

Key Responsibilities

National Tour Operations

• Provide operational leadership and oversight for 12 Mobile Workshops across the BPBP national network
• Ensure tours operate efficiently and consistently deliver the BPBP Mobile Workshop experience
• Establish operational standards, best practices, and systems that improve tour performance and program delivery
• Calibrate level of oversight and support based on each state’s operating relationship with national (nationally-managed vs. partner-managed)
• Lead initiatives to improve Mobile Workshop utilization, engagement opportunities, and operational efficiency
• Identify and implement continuous improvement strategies to strengthen program impact and delivery
• Ensure consistent guest experience and messaging across all BPBP Mobile Workshops

Tour Scheduling, Coordination & Performance Monitoring

• Oversee and manage the development and execution of national and state-level tour schedules
• Collaborate closely with schedulers to align priorities, routing strategy, and event selection with program goals
• Monitor tour scheduling, activity levels, and operational performance to ensure alignment with projected outcomes
• Identify gaps, conflicts, or inefficiencies in schedules and proactively implement solutions
• Support schedulers in optimizing calendar utilization, geographic routing, and audience reach

Budget & Compensation Management

• Own budget planning and management for tour operations, including travel, per diem, fabrication, and simulator procurement
• Administer and oversee compensation and incentive pay structures for Tour Managers and schedulers
• Monitor spend against budget and identify cost efficiencies across the network
• Approve and reconcile per diem and travel-related expenses for managed teams
• Manage fabrication and procurement processes for new Mobile Workshops and simulators, including vendor selection and budget oversight
• Work closely with fabrication vendors to ensure builds meet BPBP standards, specifications, timelines, and budget
• Oversee the readiness and deployment of new units into the national tour network as the fleet continues to grow

Simulator Operations & Maintenance

• Maintain oversight of Mobile Workshop simulators and technical equipment, including procurement and lifecycle budgeting
• Monitor simulator functionality, maintenance schedules, repair timelines, and downtime
• Coordinate with simulator vendors to ensure timely maintenance and operational reliability
• Identify opportunities for technology upgrades and program enhancements
• Develop and maintain relationships with simulator providers, fabrication vendors, and operational partners
• Negotiate vendor contracts and procurement terms in alignment with budget
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment performance, operational efficiency, and vendor collaboration

Leadership & Team Management

• Directly manage Tour Managers and schedulers in nationally-managed states
• Provide coordination, guidance, and support to Tour Managers in partner-managed states, in line with each partnership agreement
• Provide leadership, coaching, and operational support to ensure strong tour performance
• Foster a culture of operational excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement

Travel Requirements

• Travel approximately 25–60% of the time, varying with tour cycle and deployment schedule
• Visit each of the 12 Mobile Workshops at least annually
• Travel to support operational reviews, vendor relationships, and new workshop deployments
• Hybrid role; travel is in addition to remote/in-office working days

Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of operations or program management experience, preferably overseeing multi-location operations
• Experience managing field-based teams or touring operations
• Demonstrated budget management experience, including P&L or departmental budget ownership
• Experience with procurement processes, ideally involving equipment, fabrication, or vendor contracts
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to analyze operational data and implement performance improvements
• Experience managing mobile programs, touring exhibits, or experiential learning programs
• Familiarity with simulators, equipment operations, or technical program environments
• Experience working within workforce development or education initiatives

About Be Pro Be Proud

Be Pro Be Proud is a workforce development initiative originated by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas (AIA) that successfully connects students around the country to high-tech, high-paying technical careers. Through partnerships with state agencies, local industry, and higher education entities, Be Pro Be Proud is effectively working to replenish the professional workforce that has been experiencing a drastic decline. Be Pro Be Proud was launched in Arkansas in 2016 and has since licensed efforts in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.