Senior Director of Operations: Life Sciences

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Senior Director of Operations in the Life Sciences sector is a strategic leader responsible for ensuring efficient, compliant, and high-quality operations that contribute to the success and growth of the organization. They require a combination of operational expertise, strategic thinking, strong leadership, and a thorough understanding of industry-specific regulations and standards.

This position is responsible for the overall operation of the program/contract including ensuring the safety and wellbeing of its employees, safeguarding company funds and property, and representing the company with respect to the client. The Senior Director of Operations oversees a workforce of Regional and Site Managers, as well as project leaders who in turn direct a workforce of technicians and professionals engaged in a variety of activities in the management of various types of facilities. This position ensures that established company goals are realized while maintaining client relations that will enhance future business. This position will be responsible for mentoring and directing disciplined operations, schedule urgency and overall human performance.

This position interacts with Amentum operations support offices, vendors, subcontractors and customer representatives as required, and will develop close working relationships with various business leaders/stakeholders throughout the organization.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to managing several regional / operations managers, budget management, customer relationships and key performance indicators.

Responsibilities

• Working under the supervision of the Senior Vice President, demonstrates project leadership in their area of responsibility. Reports results, issues, and concerns to Business Line Senior Vice President.
• Leads program with the operational managers, develops basic objectives, strategies, and plans of the program; submits these to the Business Line Senior Vice President for review and approval.
• Leads and manages the activities of a program to accomplish management and financial objectives.
• Responsible for the overall functioning and performance of the program.
• Ensures adequate planning for future development and growth of the program and participates in the preparation of division plans (e.g., two-year plan, strategic plan, etc.); periodically presents such plans for review and approval by the Corporation.
• Directs the development and installation of a sound plan of organization and controls.
• Appraises and evaluates the results of the program relative to established objectives regularly and systematically and ensures that appropriate steps are taken to correct unsatisfactory conditions.
• Delegates portions of activities, responsibilities, and authorities, as necessary and desirable, to operational managers and other staff.
• Ensures that the responsibilities, authorities and accountability of all direct subordinates are defined and understood.
• Promotes effective communications throughout the program.
• Ensures that all program activities and operations are carried out in compliance with local, state and federal regulations and laws governing business operations.
• Represents the company as appropriate in its relationship with customers, employees, competitors, suppliers, government agencies, community organizations, professional societies and similar groups.
• Provide business element strategic planning to include (1) revenue and profit objectives;(2) indirect cost management; (3) facility operations; and (4) employee compensation objectives.
• Establish, track, and report status against key performance indicators or contractual metrics on a routine basis.
• Review, report and manage key performance measures defined within the contract. Implements corrective measures when measures are outside service levels or bandwidths.
• Establish annual operating budgets in cooperation with customer, business manager, or group financial department.
• Work with business development to increase scope of services on existing contracts.
• Support business development and Group management in contract negotiations with customers.
• Support or conduct formal presentations to clients and/or management.
• Perform all other position related duties as assigned or requested.
  
  

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree preferred (Science, Facilities, Engineering or a technical degree related to Industrial Maintenance) or demonstrated equivalent combination and experience
• 15-20 years of progressive management experience; and excellent communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills required.
• Significant experience in operations management, particularly within the life sciences industry (Pharmaceutical, Medical Device, BioTech, etc.), is essential. This often includes experience with regulatory affairs, quality management systems (QMS), and project/program management.
• Must be articulate with executive presence, creative and forward-looking, clear thinker and decision-maker, change agent, and have a track record of continuing education.
• Strong understanding of cGMP operations, regulatory requirements (like FDA, EMA, ICH guidelines), and potentially specific domain expertise (e.g., in clinical trials, manufacturing, or specific technology areas).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, proven leadership and team management skills, and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• 25-50% travel
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP Certification
• Experience managing engineering, subcontracting or maintenance managers.
• Experience managing maintenance planning/scheduling functions.
• Extensive experience in establishing and enforcing contractual obligations with clients.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing P&L reporting with experience in managing multi-million dollar budgets.
• Experience managing preventive and predictive maintenance programs for facility or production equipment.
• Extensive experience using continuous improvement tools such as Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, 4M's, Kaizen, etc.
• Experience in creating presentations and speaking to specific audiences.
• Experience utilizing performance metrics to identify gaps and create goals to maximize maintenance performance
• Extensive experience establishing, utilizing and enforcing an EH&S Safety Program.
  
  

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, ancestry, United States military or veteran status, color, religion, creed, marital or domestic partner status, medical condition, genetic information, national origin, citizenship status, low-income status, or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, or any other protected category under federal, state, or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language at Labor Laws Posters (https://postings.govdocs.com/#/vxSkbztPuAwwxfs) .

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