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Program Operations Director Jobs in Washington, DC

Director, Operations Management Job Location: Millersville, MD Job Schedule: 9/80 L3Harris is ... Partner closely with Engineering, Program Management, Supply Chain, and Quality to strengthen cross ...

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Program Operations Director information

See Washington, DC salary details

$38.5K

$122K

$203.3K

How much do program operations director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for program operations director in Washington, DC 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.

What does a Program Operations Director do?

A Program Operations Director oversees the daily operations and strategic management of programs within an organization. They ensure that programs are executed efficiently, meet organizational goals, and comply with relevant regulations and standards. Their responsibilities often include coordinating between departments, managing budgets, supervising staff, and evaluating program effectiveness. This role requires strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills to keep programs running smoothly and achieving desired outcomes.

What are some common challenges a Program Operations Director faces in managing cross-functional teams?

A Program Operations Director often encounters challenges related to aligning priorities and communication across diverse departments such as finance, HR, and project management. Coordinating these groups requires strong organizational and interpersonal skills to ensure everyone is working towards shared objectives and deadlines. Additionally, adapting to shifting project scopes and managing resource constraints are frequent hurdles, making flexibility and problem-solving essential traits for success in this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Program Operations Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Program Operations Director, you need strong leadership abilities, program management experience, and a background in business administration or a related field. Proficiency with project management software, data analysis tools, and relevant certifications like PMP are often important. Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills help you motivate teams and navigate complex operational challenges. These skills and qualities are critical for ensuring that programs run efficiently, achieve goals, and align with organizational strategy.

What is the difference between Program Operations Director vs Program Manager?

AspectProgram Operations DirectorProgram Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple programs, strategic planning, and high-level operationsManages individual programs, project execution, and team coordination
Required CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor’s degree, often a master’s, with experience in operations or managementUsually requires a bachelor’s degree, with project management experience
Work EnvironmentExecutive-level setting, strategic planning, cross-department collaborationProject teams, day-to-day program execution, stakeholder communication
Industry UsageCommon in nonprofit, government, and corporate sectors for overseeing multiple initiativesUsed across industries for managing specific projects within programs

The Program Operations Director focuses on strategic oversight and managing multiple programs at a high level, while the Program Manager handles the execution of individual programs. Both roles require relevant experience and credentials, but the Director operates at a broader, more strategic level.

What are the most commonly searched types of Program Operations jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Program Operations jobs in Washington, DC are:

What job categories do people searching Program Operations Director jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Program Operations Director jobs in Washington, DC are:

Infographic showing various Program Operations Director job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $121,958 per year, or $58.6 per hour.

Director Operations Management

L3HHCM20

Millersville, MD • On-site

$151K - $281K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Director, Operations Management             

Job Location: Millersville, MD

Job Schedule: 9/80 

Job Description: 

L3Harris is seeking a talented Operations Director for the Acoustics & Imaging Division within the Maritime sector of Space & Mission Systems. This role provides senior operational leadership for a highly complex, geographically dispersed manufacturing and engineering footprint. The Operations Director is responsible for driving disciplined operational performance, standardizing processes across multiple facilities, and leading transformational improvements that increase factory throughput, efficiency, and overall execution readiness.

Based in Millersville, MD, this leader oversees additional operations in Salt Lake City and New England, ensuring alignment to operational rigor, strong cross-functional collaboration, and consistent delivery in support of advanced maritime acoustics and imaging systems. The role manages a workforce of more than 300 employees and plays a key part in stabilizing performance, executing footprint consolidation, and advancing ERP/MRP standardization across the division. 

Essential Functions: 

Provide strategic and disciplined operational leadership for a multi-site manufacturing and engineering environment, driving consistent execution aligned with Maritime Sector priorities.
Lead daily operations across multiple sites, ensuring standardized processes, strong communication, and clear accountability.
Drive footprint consolidation and overall transformation initiatives, including facility optimization, workflow redesign, and elimination of operational inefficiencies.
Increase factory throughput through structured performance management, data-driven decision-making, and implementation of Lean, continuous improvement, and best-in-class manufacturing practices.
Build a scalable, reliable manufacturing pipeline that supports near-term program commitments and long-term growth of the Acoustics & Imaging Division.
Oversee operational forecasting, capacity analysis, labor planning, and capital investment strategies to ensure readiness and on-time delivery.
Partner closely with Engineering, Program Management, Supply Chain, and Quality to strengthen cross-functional alignment from product development through production.
Establish, track, and enforce operational performance metrics, including delivery, cost, quality, and productivity, supported by root-cause analysis and improvement plans.
Lead, develop, and mentor operational and functional leaders across a workforce of 300+, reinforcing a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Ensure adherence to all maritime, manufacturing, safety, and quality standards while advancing process consistency across all sites.
Represent the division in leadership reviews, cross-functional forums, and strategic planning efforts. 

Required Qualifications: 

Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 15 years of prior related experience. Graduate Degree with a minimum of 13 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 19 years of prior related experience.
13+ years of progressive operational leadership in manufacturing, engineering operations, or program execution.
Demonstrated experience leading operations across multiple sites or complex, distributed environments.
Proven track record of delivering measurable operational improvements, including throughput gains, cost reductions, and sustained performance stabilization.
Strong proficiency in ERP/MRP systems, with demonstrated ability to drive standardization, improve data accuracy, and strengthen operational rigor.
Solid understanding of manufacturing processes, supply chain operations, production planning, and performance management.
Proven ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams-engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and quality-in high-pressure delivery environments.
Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills across all organizational levels.

Up to 50% travel

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with acoustics, sonar systems, imaging technologies, or maritime/defense manufacturing.
Certifications or formal training in Lean, Six Sigma, or structured continuous improvement methodologies.
Experience leading multi-site operational transformations, footprint consolidation, or ERP integration efforts.
Familiarity with MES systems and digital operations platforms.

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role is $151,000-281,000. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.