Operations Program Manager Jobs in San Diego, CA

The Program Manager, Business Operations leads cross-functional initiatives that improve operational efficiency, enhance organizational performance, and support strategic business objectives. This role manages large, complex programs from planning through execution, ensuring alignment across teams such as Operations, Finance, Product, IT, HR, and Executive Leadership. Additionally, Senior Program Managers may also provide leadership, mentorship, and guidance to other members of the Business Operations function and project teams.

Essential Functions

• Lead end-to-end program planning, execution, and delivery for high-impact business operations (including Value Creation, Compliance, Continuous Improvement and other as assigned) initiatives.
• Partner with senior leadership to define program scope, objectives, milestones, and success metrics.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure alignment, remove blockers, and drive execution.
• Analyze operational data to identify inefficiencies, performance gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop program roadmaps, timelines, status dashboards, and reporting for executive stakeholders.
• Facilitate decision-making by providing insights, clear communication, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Maintain detailed program documentation, including requirements, processes, and post-implementation reviews.
• Lead operational change management, including training, communication, and adoption plans.
• Support implementation of new tools, systems, and automation efforts that increase organizational scalability.
• Track and measure program outcomes, including ROI, process improvements, and operational metrics.
• Provide expertise exhibiting a depth of knowledge across operations to include operational, engineering, maintenance, system test and technical management disciplines for which they are assigned.
• Work directly with the customer to determine project requirements, develop a work plan, execute the work.
• Ensure projects/programs are executed to the highest level of safety and compliance.
• Ensure all personnel meet/exceed professional standards and embrace the AEVEX culture.
• Effectively communicate expectations and develop innovative strategies to enhance organizational capabilities that support operational priorities and requirements.
• Cultivate strong relationships with peers, subordinates, and customers while providing leadership and technical advice to strategic and operational business planning.
• Be an agile and adaptive leader who consistently meets challenges head-on and ensures organizational success by building effective professional relationships with senior executives and peers.
• Facilitate alignment and achievement of strategy objectives and performance goals across the company.
• Manage all aspects of assigned programs to include costs, schedules, and performance.
• Integrate industry best practices and meet or exceed program financial goals. •
• Develop processes for identifying, assessing, monitoring and mitigating risk throughout the program life cycle.
• Perform other duties as required.

Standard Essential Functions

• Regular and reliable attendance on a full time basis [or in accordance with posted schedule].
• Responsible for exhibiting professional behavior with both internal and external business associates that reflects positively on the company and is consistent with the company's policies and practices.
• Embodies AEVEX’s cultural values and aligns daily actions with department goals and company culture.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Security Clearance- Ability to obtain/maintain a Secret DoD clearance, U.S. Citizenship required. (Top Secret eligibility preferred)
• Strong program and project management skills, with experience managing multiple concurrent initiatives.
• Ability to translate complex business needs into actionable plans.
• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making capabilities.
• Proficiency with project management and collaboration tools (e.g., Jira, Microsoft Project Server).
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder-management skills.
• In-depth knowledge of US Military and Federal Acquisition Regulations. (preferred)
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are essential.
• Ability to develop and mentor/coach others.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office suites (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Strong relationship building and negotiation skills.
• Detail oriented with strong planning, organizational, project management, and analytical skills.
• Demonstrates Professionalism and Integrity at all times

Education / Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, Program Management, Strategy, or related field from an accredited University (MS or MBA preferred).
• Program Management Professional (PMP) Certification or DAWIA Level 2.

Experience

• 5–7+ years of experience in Business Operations, Program Management, Strategy, or related fields.
• Experience with operational frameworks such as Lean, Six Sigma, or Agile.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders.
• Strong financial and business acumen.
• Experience in A&D, SaaS, tech, or other fast-moving industries. (preferred)
• Familiarity with data and analytics tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau). (preferred)

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties the employee is: Frequently required to sit, and to reach to use computers and other office equipment For the purpose of this summary, occasionally is used to represent up to 1/3 of the time given to the work day, frequently represents 1/3 to 2/3 of the time and constantly represents 2/3 or more of the time.

The Company provides a reasonable range of compensation. Actual compensation is influenced by an array of factors including, but not limited to, skill set, level of experience, and specific location. The range of starting pay for this position is for the listed location only.

Salary Range

$122,200 - $149,100 USD

About AEVEX

AEVEX, headquartered in Solana Beach, California, supports the U.S. national security mission and partner nation needs around the world by providing full-spectrum aviation, remote sensing, and analysis solutions. The company's capabilities include custom design and engineering; rapid prototyping; sensor integration and sustainment; aircraft modification and certification; flight test instrumentation and support; mission operations service; advanced intelligence data processing, exploitation, and dissemination solutions; and tailored hardware and software mission-system tools. AEVEX uses agile and customized approaches to rapidly define, develop, and deliver specialized solutions for airborne special mission needs for the U.S. Government, partner nations, and commercial businesses. AEVEX has major offices in California, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, and Virginia.

AEVEX provides a full suite of comprehensive benefits, including a 401(k)-retirement plan, comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability and Life insurance group coverage with a portion of the premiums paid by the company, professional development funds, and an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) with counseling, legal help, child and elder care support, among other benefits for qualified employees.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

AEVEX is an Equal Opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, religious creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, breast feeding and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, military and veteran status, marital status, age, protected medical condition, genetic information, physical disability, mental disability, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws.