Operations Program Manager

Overview

Draper is an independent, nonprofit research and development company headquartered in Cambridge, MA. The 2,000+ employees of Draper tackle important national challenges with a promise of delivering successful and usable solutions. From military defense and space exploration to biomedical engineering, lives often depend on the solutions we provide. Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that inspires the cross-fertilization of ideas necessary for true innovation.

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Our Operations division is hiring an Operations Program Manager to help bring complex, mission-critical technologies from development through build, integration, test, and delivery. This highly visible role sits at the intersection of programs, engineering, supply chain, and operations, providing leadership and coordination across the full lifecycle of our hardware programs. In a high-mix, low-volume environment, no two programs are exactly alike.

The Operations Program Manager will lead cross-functional operations planning and execution, drive manufacturing readiness, identify and manage operational risks, and ensure the people, materials, processes, and capabilities needed to deliver are aligned with program priorities and schedules. You'll work closely with engineers, technicians, planners, supply chain partners, and program leadership to solve complex problems, navigate changing requirements, and move sophisticated hardware from design into successful execution.

We're looking for someone who can see the big picture while staying connected to the details, bringing teams together, anticipating challenges, and creating a clear path forward in support of our mission-driven work.

• Own overall program execution, to include meeting cost, schedule, technical performance targets and exceeding customer expectations
• Establish project/program performance measurement baseline.
• Develop, implement and update resource allocation plans.
• Work with functional organizations to effectively recruit, retain and develop key talent for the business.
• Manage and control all phases of programs from inception through completion, ensuring cost, schedule, and technical performance.
• Act as primary customer contact for program activities, managing program teams, and leading review sessions to ensure all work scope and technical requirements are met.
• Work closely with the supporting functions to enable and monitor ongoing performance
• Identify, assess and apply appropriate actions for project opportunities, risks, and issues in terms of cost, schedule, technical elements and deliverables.
• Establish strong customer partnerships and balance ongoing needs and expectations against plans.
• Develop new business or expand existing products/technologies with customers.
• Provide leadership oversight for the team creating an open, positive, inclusive environment to maintain high team morale.
• Participate in contract negotiations, reporting, deliverables and changes.
• Deploy appropriate quality control and quality assurance processes and ensure adherence to the Quality Management System and customer requirements.
• Coordinate win strategy, competitive captures, and compliant proposals to support current and future growth of the business portfolio.
• Manage all phases of the business cycle in accordance with the company's financial policies and processes.
• Ensure impactful, effective oral and written communications to internal and external stakeholders.

• Knowledge of program management tools and processes such as Earned Value Management (EVMS), Integrated Master Plan (IMP)/Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) and/or Risk/Opportunity/Issue Management.
• Experience working government projects/programs with direct customer interfaces, both internal and external.
• Able to work with functional organizations to achieve project/program execution and business goals.
• Able to implement continuous improvement across projects/programs and balance priorities in a dynamic, matrixed environment.
• Ability to travel on an as needed basis.
• Ability to quickly…