Director, Business Operations

Worker Type

Job Description

Summary
The Director Business Operations serves as the principal operational and strategic partner to the Vice President Directed Energy shaping portfolio performance financial outcomes execution discipline and long-term growth strategy across all Directed Energy programs and product lines.
Reporting directly to the VP the Director partners in driving financial performance program execution proposal management and enterprise alignment. The role provides portfolio-wide visibility into performance trends risk posture and investment priorities while influencing both current execution and future opportunity positioning. A critical component of this roles success is in acting as the deputy supporting the overall business units success for diving key success indicators for program execution.

Responsibilities
Portfolio Performance & Financial Strategy
Partner with the VP in driving Business Unit revenue growth and financial performance.
Provide enterprise-level analysis of EAC trends cost performance drivers and financial risk posture to inform executive decision-making.
Facilitate portfolio trade-space discussions regarding performance resource allocation and investment priorities.
Support development and oversight of the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) long-range financial planning and financial performance updates.
Identify structural performance improvements that strengthen predictability scalability and profitability.

Cross-Functional Integration & Governance
Own Business Unit-level integration across Program Management Engineering Finance Contracts Supply Chain and Growth functions to ensure cohesive portfolio execution.
Establish and enforce operating rhythms governance frameworks and performance standards across the Business Unit.
Lead and direct resolution of escalated cross-program risks impacting cost schedule or technical performance.
Hold portfolio execution accountable to Business Unit strategic priorities financial objectives and performance commitments.
Drive and oversee continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen execution discipline scalability and organizational effectiveness.

Growth Strategy & Market Alignment
Partner with cross functional teams and leadership to define and align portfolio capabilities investment priorities and pursuit strategies for strategic opportunities.
Inform bid/no-bid decisions through financial technical and capacity analysis.
Lead and shape proposal strategy development including pricing strategy margin targets risk positioning execution maturity assessments and proposal reviews.
Support customer engagements in partnership with cross functional team representing portfolio performance operational readiness and strategic roadmap.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Experience)

Bachelors degree is required in finance engineering or in a related field or equivalent combination of education training and experience.

Advanced degree MBA or MS is highly preferred.

Minimum of 15 years of relevant experience required.

Minimum of 7 years of experience in a leadership role.

Demonstrated experience supporting or managing P&L driven businesses.

Strong background in long-range planning annual operating plans and executive business governance.

Proven ability to influence senior leaders and operate effectively as a deputy or executive officer.

Experience engaging executive-level customers and leading complex cross-functional initiatives.

Prior experience supporting M&A activity strongly preferred.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong analytical critical thinking and interpersonal skills with the ability to speak and write persuasively
Demonstrated experience working with cross-functional teams; ability to develop and maintain internal and external trusting professional relationships
Uses vision to think beyond the immediate situation explore multiple potential paths and adapt decision-making style based on the situational circumstances
Inspires motivates and empowers people to deliver organizational goals while also delivering value back to employees
Brings organizational values to life using personality uniqueness and the creation of a shared vision
Champions the process of change and promotes a culture of quick adaptation while helping others deal with the effects of change
Takes ownership and responsibility for assigned tasks
Is committed to learning from mistakes and driven to improve and enhance performance of oneself others and the company
Focuses on teamwork and puts the success of the team above ones own interests

Physical Demands
Ability to work in an office environment (Constant)
Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk hear and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (Frequent)

Clearance Level

The salary range for this role is:

AeroVironment considers several factors when extending an offer including but not limited to the location the role and associated responsibilities a candidates work experience education/training and key skills.

ITAR Requirement:

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironments determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironments business requirements. A U.S. person according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder) or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits: AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical dental vision 401K with company matching a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown. For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: also encourage you to review our company website at to learn more about us.

Principals only need apply. NO agencies please.

About AV:

AV isnt for everyone. We hire the curious the relentless the mission-obsessed. The best of the best.

We dont just build defense technologywe redefine whats possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S. AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air land sea space and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve.

Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonianbut were not building history were building whats next.

If youre ready to build technology that matterswith speed scale and purposetheres no better place to do it than AV.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer including disability/veterans. AeroVironment Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race sex color religion national origin age disability protected veteran status genetic datasexual orientation gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR