CUAS Operations Director

Parsons Corporation•Centreville, VA

About The Position

In a world of possibilities, pursue one with endless opportunities. Imagine Next! At Parsons, you can imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by our leadership vision of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential. Unleash your talent and redefine what’s possible. Job Description: Provides direction and management for medium-to-large-sized projects within a larger program and ensures on-schedule completion within or below budget in accordance with contractual obligations. Responsible for the scope development, scope management, and commercial performance of the project to meet project goals and objectives. Plans and defines program goals and devises methods to accomplish them; develops in-depth knowledge of client objectives, contract terms, and corporate policies. Manages the project execution and coordinates the activities of the various functions supporting the effort as well as overseeing the activities of partners, teammates, or subcontractors as required. Establishes and maintains customer relationships to ensure the Parsons team is regarded as a collaborative partner in meeting the customer’s goals. Fosters collaboration between internal peers on other programs by identifying opportunities for additional work scope delivered by other teams at Parsons. Adapts execution strategy to evolving customer priorities while ensuring that the overall program remains within budget and schedule. Specific Responsibilities Manage multiple large task orders related to Parsons’ role in providing Counter Unmanned Aerial System (CUAS) solutions, services, and support to a diverse portfolio of customers. Provide functional leadership and regular direction to program-specific operations staff. Establish and maintain relationships and act as the company representative to customer peers. Directly interact with and manage partner, teammate, and subcontractor execution. Represent the customers’ viewpoint and clearly flow down customer goals to the team. Lead the detailed planning of new work scope proposed by the customer. Manage the execution of planned work through all project lifecycle phases with responsibilities including: Ensuring project/product requirements are clearly defined at the outset of the effort. Ensuring project technical, financial, and schedule goals are met. Promoting technical and commercial excellence on the project through application of Quality Assurance processes. Tracking potential issues/risks and executing relevant mitigation plans. Steering the team through reacting and resolving unexpected roadblocks. Tracking program progress using clear, measurable metrics including Earned Value Management (EVM) metrics. Provide regular status to the customer and internal leadership on execution efforts including progress metrics and recommended resolutions or mitigation plans for any issues. Effectively collaborate with functional and technical organizations within Parsons to plan, staff, and execute the planned work scope. Identify opportunities with current and additional customers for additional work scope for both the CUAS team and the larger Parsons organization. Support proposal efforts and other marketing activities as required. Brief customers and stakeholders on Parsons’ CUAS capabilities, program status, and strategic direction. Partner with Business Development to shape and win new business, contributing to pipeline management and capture strategies. Drive the strategic direction of the CUAS business, aligning program execution with long-term organizational goals.

Requirements

Ability to obtain suitability for government or commercial customers as required
15+ years of related work experience
The candidate will be expected to travel to customer sites in the NoVA area and to our Summit Point office as needed.
Ability to maintain a Secret Security Level Clearance
Previous project management experience on similar or related projects
Experience leading complex projects for US Government or commercial customers
Experience preparing and presenting programs for large, complex projects, including WBS generation, cost-estimating, and Earned Value Management (EVM) practices
Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where rapid results save lives
Prior lead/leadership experience
Demonstrated experience supporting business development, including proposal development and customer briefings
Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfortable briefing senior customers and stakeholders
Demonstrated ability to drive business strategy and align teams to organizational goals

Nice To Haves

Top Secret Security Level Clearance
Experience with Counter-UAS or UAS programs
Experience with programs/projects for government or commercial customers
Familiarity with Agile development practices
Experience with all phases of the program life-cycle
PMP or equivalent certifications
Advanced degree (MBA, MS, or equivalent)
Experience with rapid prototyping and fielding of emerging technologies
Familiarity with international CUAS markets and export requirements

Responsibilities

Manage multiple large task orders related to Parsons’ role in providing Counter Unmanned Aerial System (CUAS) solutions, services, and support to a diverse portfolio of customers.
Provide functional leadership and regular direction to program-specific operations staff.
Establish and maintain relationships and act as the company representative to customer peers.
Directly interact with and manage partner, teammate, and subcontractor execution.
Represent the customers’ viewpoint and clearly flow down customer goals to the team.
Lead the detailed planning of new work scope proposed by the customer.
Manage the execution of planned work through all project lifecycle phases with responsibilities including: Ensuring project/product requirements are clearly defined at the outset of the effort. Ensuring project technical, financial, and schedule goals are met. Promoting technical and commercial excellence on the project through application of Quality Assurance processes. Tracking potential issues/risks and executing relevant mitigation plans. Steering the team through reacting and resolving unexpected roadblocks. Tracking program progress using clear, measurable metrics including Earned Value Management (EVM) metrics.
Provide regular status to the customer and internal leadership on execution efforts including progress metrics and recommended resolutions or mitigation plans for any issues.
Effectively collaborate with functional and technical organizations within Parsons to plan, staff, and execute the planned work scope.
Identify opportunities with current and additional customers for additional work scope for both the CUAS team and the larger Parsons organization.
Support proposal efforts and other marketing activities as required.
Brief customers and stakeholders on Parsons’ CUAS capabilities, program status, and strategic direction.
Partner with Business Development to shape and win new business, contributing to pipeline management and capture strategies.
Drive the strategic direction of the CUAS business, aligning program execution with long-term organizational goals.