Business Operations Sr. Principal

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The Business Operations Senior Principal will shape how the MNS Sector operates during a period of major organizational change. As we transition to a more integrated, enterprise‑aligned model, this leader will design the systems, rhythms, and decision frameworks that enable MNS to deliver mission impact with greater clarity, speed, and consistency. This is a strategic builder role-one that directly influences how the sector plans, prioritizes, allocates resources, and partners with centralized services.

This position offers a unique opportunity to operate at the intersection of strategy, operations, and enterprise integration. The Senior Principal will bring coherence to a complex service landscape, anticipate operational risks, and drive improvements that strengthen performance across every center. They will serve as a trusted advisor to executives and a catalyst for operational excellence. For a senior professional who thrives in ambiguity and wants to shape how MNS works, this role offers meaningful influence and lasting impact.

Roles & Responsibilities:

Operations Leadership & Decision Support

• Operate autonomously in a lean environment, owning key operational functions and making decisions that impact the entire sector.
• Provide senior‑level judgment, analysis, and recommendations to sector leadership on operational issues, risks, and opportunities.
• Work closely with MNS center operations teams to ensure clarity of information, consistency of implementation, escalation of issues for resolution, and arbitration/facilitation, as needed.
• Allocate and manage Sector indirect budgets, ensuring leadership direction is implemented and Sector business and strategic needs are met.
• Lead or support special projects, process redesign efforts, and strategic operational initiatives.
• Act as a trusted advisor to sector executives, ensuring operational decisions are data‑driven and aligned with strategic goals.
• Maintain and monitor MNS & corporate strategic calendars to ensure MNS teams have visibility to upcoming deliverables and activities.
• Coordinate and monitor tasking to the MNS centers and corporate business partners to ensure all MNS deliverables and review materials are on time and of high quality.

Project & Portfolio Management Governance

• Manage the sector's project portfolio management (PPM) processes to ensure consistency, transparency, and disciplined execution across centers and divisions.
• Develop and maintain standardized project and portfolio management practices, templates, and review mechanisms.
• Facilitate portfolio reviews, risk assessments, and decision forums that support leadership oversight and resource allocation.

Cross‑Functional Partnership & Enterprise Integration

• Serve as a key operational liaison to centralized functions (HR, Finance, IT, Security, Facilities, etc.).
• Coordinate sector initiatives requiring cross‑functional collaboration, ensuring alignment of priorities, timelines, and resource needs.
• Represent MNS in enterprise‑level forums and working groups, translating enterprise policy changes into sector‑specific implementation plans.

Pipeline Management & CONOPS Improvement

• Lead sector‑wide pipeline management processes, including quarterly pipeline cycles, validation of center inputs, and alignment with workforce and delivery needs.
• Drive continuous improvement of pipeline CONOPS, standardizing workflows, decision criteria, and forecasting practices.
• Partner with HR, Talent Acquisition, Finance, and operational leaders to ensure pipeline health supports strategic priorities.

Sector‑Wide Operations Communications

• Lead MNS Business Management communications, including weekly operational updates, leadership messages, and sector‑wide announcements.
• Maintain and evolve the sector's business management/operations website and related communication channels.
• Develop communication products and lead sector wide communications efforts that support transparency, alignment, and adoption of operational processes.

Basic Qualifications:

• Typically requires a minimum of 12 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 10 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 7 years' experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
• Demonstrated experience delivering and influencing organizational strategies, roadmaps, financial planning, and management systems.
• Strong operational acumen including indirect budget management, resource alignment across multiple business units and maturing operating rhythms.
• Strong program and project management experience and significant experience leading operations in a diverse, technology‑focused organization
• Experience coordinating cross‑functional initiatives involving HR, Finance, IT, Security, Facilities, and other enterprise service providers.
• Demonstrated ability to operate autonomously, make judgment calls with incomplete information, and escalate issues appropriately.
• Exceptional communication and executive‑level briefing skills, including the ability to synthesize complex operational issues into clear recommendations.
• Proven ability to establish trust, influence, and consensus across Corporate, Sector, and Center leadership.
• Quantitative mindset with strong analytical capabilities and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.
• U.S. Citizenship required.
• This position requires a minimum of 50% hybrid on-site presence.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Direct experience in an FFRDC, government contracting, or national security environment, with understanding of sponsor expectations, CPARS, and FAR/DFARS constraints.
• Experience designing or improving CONOPS, operational workflows, or enterprise‑level process standards.
• Expertise in pipeline management, including demand forecasting, staffing alignment, and integration with HR/Talent Acquisition processes.
• Experience with enterprise service integration, including service catalogs, SLAs, performance dashboards, and cross‑functional issue resolution.
• Advanced proficiency with analytics and dashboarding tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, Smartsheet, or similar platforms).
• Strong facilitation skills, with the ability to lead cross‑center forums, resolve conflicts, and drive alignment among diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex workstreams simultaneously, especially under tight deadlines and shifting priorities.
• Experience developing and delivering executive‑level communications, including operational updates, leadership messages, and sector‑wide announcements.
• Knowledge of MITRE project management tools and processes
• Advanced degree in operations research, engineering, business, analytics, or a related field.

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):
None

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):
Top Secret

Salary compensation range and midpoint:
$178,800 - $223,500 - $268,200 Annual

Work Location Type:
Hybrid

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

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