Role OverviewThe Senior Operations Manager will serve as a senior operational advisor and execution lead supporting the Innovation with Academia (IWA) Portfolio Director. This role is intended for a highly capable, experienced operator who can help translate portfolio strategy into disciplined execution across multiple programs, contractors, university partners, internal government stakeholders, and external mission partners.
What You Will Do
Lead day-to-day operational coordination across the Innovation with Academia portfolio, translate the Portfolio Director's strategic priorities into executable work plans, and maintain visibility across portfolio activities, milestones, risks, dependencies, contractor deliverables, and decision timelines.
Why It Might Be a Fit
The ideal candidate is someone who is detail-oriented, has strong leadership skills, and can bring disciplined execution to a complex, fast-moving portfolio and organization. They must be highly organized, direct but professional, and comfortable operating across senior leaders, contractors, government stakeholders, mission partners, and academic institutions.
Requirements
- 5+ years of experience in senior operations, program management, portfolio management, strategic planning, or related leadership roles
- Experience managing complex programs involving multiple stakeholders, contractors, partners, or organizations
- Strong familiarity with the Department of War, DoW laboratories, combatant commands, operational mission partners, academic institutions, and how these stakeholders work together to identify, validate, and advance mission-relevant technology
- Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and analytical skills, including the ability to use data to assess performance and support decisions
- Proficiency using AI-enabled tools to improve operational efficiency, conduct research and analysis, draft and refine written products, synthesize information, manage workflows, and support decision-making
- Experience holding teams accountable for timelines, deliverables, data quality, and follow-through
- Ability to operate independently, anticipate leadership needs, and drive execution without constant direction
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing senior-level reports, briefings, dashboards, and decision materials
- Ability to communicate effectively with government leaders, contractors, technical teams, academic partners, and external stakeholders
- Experience with budget tracking, resource planning, program funding support, or portfolio resource management
- Experience using Salesforce, CRM systems, project management tools, dashboards, or similar reporting systems
- Experience developing operating procedures, governance models, performance dashboards, portfolio reviews, or process improvement frameworks
- Experience in defense innovation, national security, dual-use technology, university research, commercialization, venture development, or startup ecosystems is highly valued
- Experience supporting federal programs, cooperative agreements, contracts, or contractor-delivered programs is beneficial
Benefits
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