Senior Director of Operations

Job Description Summary : The Fairlead Structures Senior Director of Operations is a key member of the Structures executive leadership team responsible for overseeing end-to-end operations in the design, production, and delivery of modular assembly units for the United States Navy’s aircraft carrier and submarine programs. This role ensures operational excellence through effective leadership in financial and cost management, schedule performance, quality assurance, workforce development, and continuous improvement. The Senior Director of Operations drives accountability, alignment, and execution across all levels of the organization to meet Fairlead’s commitments to the Navy, shipbuilding prime contractors, and internal stakeholders. Core Competencies Leadership & Influence : Inspires, motivates, and drives accountability Financial Acumen : Expert in budgets, forecasting, and cost control Operational Execution : Delivers on commitments with precision and reliability Quality Focus : Champions continuous improvement and compliance excellence People Development : Builds future leaders and fosters high-performing teams Strategic Thinking : Aligns operational performance with long-term business goals Communication : Provides clarity, transparency, and consistency in messaging Essential Duties and Responsibilities Operational Leadership & Excellence Lead daily operations of shipbuilding and modular assembly units with a focus on safety, efficiency, and compliance with U.S. Navy standards. Implement operational strategies, KPIs, and continuous improvement initiatives to achieve world-class performance. Champion Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other best practices to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and optimize workflows. Support earned value management (EVM) and other performance measurement systems to connect schedule to cost and resource outcomes. Serve as the strategic link between Operations, Program Management, Supply Chain, and Finance to ensure plan and schedule integrity and alignment with cost and quality objectives. Financial & Cost Management Develop, manage, and control annual operating budgets for operations, including labor, materials, and capital expenditures. Monitor project costs and implement corrective actions to ensure alignment with cost targets and profitability goals. Oversee and support earned value management (EVM) and other performance measurement systems to connect schedule to cost and resource outcomes, cost reporting, and variance analysis for complex Navy programs. Quality Assurance & Compliance Establish and enforce strict quality standards that meet or exceed Navy specifications, contractual requirements, and regulatory standards. Partner with Quality Assurance teams to implement robust inspection and testing protocols throughout the production lifecycle. Drive a culture of “first-time quality” to minimize rework and ensure reliability of all delivered modules. People Development & Performance Management Build and lead a high-performing operations leadership team, fostering collaboration across production, engineering, supply chain, and program management. Mentor and coach managers, supervisors, and future leaders, ensuring alignment with company culture and values. Establish clear performance expectations, conduct regular reviews, and implement development plans to maximize employee engagement and retention. Communication & Stakeholder Engagement Serve as the primary operations liaison with internal executives, program management teams, Navy stakeholders, and industry partners. Provide clear, consistent communication regarding operational performance, risks, and mitigation strategies. Develop and deliver executive-level reports and presentations on financial, schedule, and quality performance. Strategic & Leadership Competency Contribute to long-term strategic planning for operational growth, capacity expansion, and technology investments. Demonstrate executive presence, decision-making skills, and a results-driven leadership style. Drive alignment across the Structures division to ensure a unified operational strategy that supports the Navy mission and company growth objectives. Resource & Workforce Alignment Forecast labor, material, and facility requirements to support current and future workload. Provide decision-making insights on resource allocation, capacity planning, and cross-divisional leveling. Collaborate with HR and Workforce Development to ensure schedule forecasts directly inform hiring, apprenticeship intake, and skill development needs. Qualifications & Minimum Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or related field required; Master’s degree preferred. Minimum 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in shipbuilding, defense manufacturing, or large-scale modular construction operations. Proven track record of managing operations supporting U.S. Navy or DoD programs. Strong expertise in financial and cost management, earned value management (EVM), and program control. Demonstrated ability to lead large, diverse teams and to develop leaders at multiple levels. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with experience briefing senior executives and government customers. Knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, ISO standards, and Navy quality / compliance requirements. Physical Demands While performing these job duties, the employee is routinely required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; use fingers and hands to type or write; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; taste or smell. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Work Environment This position is performed in a traditional shipyard and manufacturing environment with local travel required between facilities. Fairlead Integrated, LLC. and its subsidiaries are proud to be Equal Employ Opportunity and Assertive Action employers (Minority / Female / Disability / Veterans). To apply for this position, go here: Employment Application – Fairlead Integrated #J-18808-Ljbffr