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Director Strategy & Operations Jobs in Washington

Merlin Labs

Director, Strategy

Washington, DC

You are a strategic operator with a deep interest in aviation, autonomy, and complex, regulated ... operations, or program leadership * Experience in aerospace, defense, autonomy, robotics, or ...

Merlin Labs

Director, Strategy

Washington, DC · On-site

You are a strategic operator with a deep interest in aviation, autonomy, and complex, regulated ... operations, or program leadership * Experience inaerospace, defense, autonomy, robotics, or other ...

Merlin Labs

Director, Strategy

Washington, DC · On-site

You are a strategic operator with a deep interest in aviation, autonomy, and complex, regulated ... operations, or program leadership * Experience inaerospace, defense, autonomy, robotics, or other ...

Capital One

Sr. Business Director, Strategy

Mclean, VA · On-site

Sr. Business Director, Strategy As a Senior Business Director at Capital One, you will apply your ... Work closely with colleagues across Capital One including: IT, Sales, Operations, Finance and ...

Entyre Care

Strategy & Operations Associate

Arlington, VA · On-site

$130K - $140K/yr

As Strategy & Operations Associate to the GM of Virginia, you'll be their right-hand partner ... This role offers a rare career accelerator: a direct path to GM for high performers who want to ...

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All JobsStrategy Operations JobsDirector Strategy & Operations JobsDirector Strategy & Operations Jobs in Washington

Director Strategy Operations information

See Washington salary details

$38.5K

$122K

$203.3K

How much do director strategy & operations jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for director strategy & operations in Washington is $121,958.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,500.00 and $153,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is strategy a high paying job?

A Director of Strategy & Operations typically earns a high salary due to the seniority and responsibility involved, often exceeding six figures depending on the industry and company size. Compensation may include bonuses, stock options, and other benefits, reflecting the strategic importance of the role within organizations.

What does a strategy director do?

A strategy director develops and oversees long-term plans to achieve an organization’s goals, often analyzing market trends and competitive positioning. They collaborate with senior leadership, utilize data analysis tools, and ensure strategic initiatives are effectively implemented across departments.

What are the typical challenges a Director Strategy & Operations faces in this position?

A Director Strategy & Operations frequently encounters challenges such as aligning diverse stakeholder interests, prioritizing conflicting projects, and adapting strategies to rapidly changing business environments. They may need to balance high-level strategic planning with hands-on operational management while ensuring objectives are met across multiple departments. Successfully navigating ambiguity, fostering collaboration among cross-functional teams, and driving continuous improvement are key components of the role. These challenges offer valuable opportunities for personal growth and make the position ideal for professionals who thrive in dynamic, results-driven environments.

What does a Director of Strategy & Operations do?

A Director of Strategy & Operations is responsible for overseeing business strategy, optimizing operational processes, and driving company growth. They analyze market trends, develop strategic plans, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure efficiency and alignment with company goals. Their role often includes performance monitoring, resource allocation, and identifying opportunities for innovation.

What does a director of strategy and operations do?

A director of strategy and operations oversees the development and implementation of business strategies, manages operational processes, and aligns teams to achieve organizational goals. They analyze market trends, optimize workflows, and often work closely with executive leadership to drive growth and efficiency using tools like data analysis and project management systems.

How much does a director of strategy make in the US?

A director of strategy in the US typically earns between $120,000 and $200,000 annually, with total compensation often including bonuses and stock options. Salaries vary based on industry, company size, experience, and location, with larger firms and metropolitan areas generally offering higher pay. Strong analytical skills and strategic planning experience are essential for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Director Strategy & Operations position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director Strategy & Operations, you need expertise in business strategy, operational planning, financial analysis, and a strong background in management, typically supported by an advanced degree such as an MBA. Familiarity with data analytics tools, ERP systems, and project management software is usually required, and certifications like PMP or Lean Six Sigma can be advantageous. Excellent leadership, critical thinking, and cross-functional communication skills will help you inspire teams and drive organizational change. These skills are crucial for developing effective strategies, optimizing operations, and ensuring seamless execution of complex business initiatives.

What are popular job titles related to Director Strategy & Operations jobs in Washington? For Director Strategy & Operations jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Director Strategy & Operations jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Director Strategy & Operations jobs in Washington are:
Director Strategy Operations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Strategy & Operations job openings in Washington as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $121,958 per year, or $58.6 per hour.
Director, Strategy

Director, Strategy

Merlin Labs

Washington, DC

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

About Merlin:
Merlin is a venture backed aerospace startup building a non-human pilot to enable both reduced crew and uncrewed flight. Backed by some of the world’s leading investors, Merlin is scaling alongside our customers to begin leveraging autonomy today to solve some of aviation’s biggest challenges.
About You:
You are a strategic operator with a deep interest in aviation, autonomy, and complex, regulated environments. You are comfortable navigating ambiguity, connecting technical innovation to market opportunity, and driving initiatives from concept through execution.  You bring a structured approach to problem solving, strong business judgment, and the ability to influence across engineering, program, and commercial teams. You are equally comfortable in executive-level discussions and rolling up your sleeves to move critical initiatives forward. 
Responsibilities:

  • Partner with executive leadership to define and evolve Merlin’s business and corporate strategy 

  • Translate long-term vision into clear strategic priorities, roadmaps, and execution plans 

  • Identify and evaluate new markets, mission sets, and customer segments across commercial and government domains 

  • Develop go-to-market and growth strategies in regulated and government-contracted environments 

  • Lead high-priority, cross-functional strategic initiatives from concept through implementation 

  • Collaborate with Engineering, Programs, and Business Development to ensure alignment between technical development and business objectives 

  • Support strategy related to FAA certification pathways and defense procurement processes 

  • Build data-driven analyses, business cases, and executive-level materials to support decision-making and Board discussions 

  • Assess competitive landscape, partnerships, and ecosystem dynamics to inform strategic positioning 

  • Act as a force multiplier for leadership by increasing decision velocity and organizational alignment 

Requirements:

  • 7-10+ years of experience in strategy, operations, or program leadership 

  • Experience in aerospace, defense, autonomy, robotics, or other highly regulated industries 

  • Proven ability to operate at both strategic and execution levels 

  • Experience working with or alongside government customers or complex regulatory environments 

  • Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills 

  • Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives with measurable impact 

  • Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence at both executive and technical levels 

Nice to Haves:

  • Experience in autonomous systems, aviation, or AI-driven platforms 

  • Familiarity with FAA certification, DoD procurement, or mission-based program development 

  • Background in management consulting, corporate strategy, or high-growth startups 

  • Experience scaling strategy in a venture-backed or rapidly growing company 

  • Ability to navigate ambiguity and build structure in evolving environments 

  • Operator mindset with a track record of driving strategy through execution 

Merlin Labs offers an innovative, entrepreneurial, and team-focused startup environment. We also offer a top-notch benefits package (health, dental, life, unlimited vacation, and 401k with match) and work/life integration. Being part of the Merlin team allows you to become part of a small team that supports professional development while working together to achieve our mission.

Merlin Labs is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, military service or obligation or disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All job offers are contingent upon the candidate passing background and reference checks.

At this time, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship or consider candidates who require visa transfers. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future. 

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to: people@merlinlabs.com

Merlin Labs does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates.