Director, Business Operations

AeroVironment•Simi Valley, CA

18h•Onsite

About The Position

AV is building a team of elite operators to tackle the most pressing challenges facing the company, from solving supply chain bottlenecks to modernizing our finance systems. The company is entering a period of unprecedented growth, and the Business Operations function will play a critical role in transforming the company’s speed of execution. This is not just a “strategy” or “internal consulting” role. You should want to roll up your sleeves and do the messy work of determining root cause, bridging cultural gaps between teams and functions, building new tooling or processes, and training teams to adopt new practices. Work alongside Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, IT, Programs, Growth, and other teams to implement solutions. You will work with subject matter experts and amplify their impact by leveraging their expertise while taking on the generalist work around them. Help build out the Business Operations team by shaping our project list, briefing the executive leadership team on our work, and recruiting talent. You will be one of the first employees in the Business Operations function and have significant ownership in helping stand up the team. Work at startup pace and bend AV towards the speed and urgency of an early-stage company.

Requirements

5+ years of experience solving complex business or operational problems in fast-paced environments such as management consulting, startups, or private equity portfolio operations
Experience working within, modifying, or implementing enterprise systems (e.g., ERP, MRP, HRIS, CRM)
Track record of implementing solutions to problems, not just recommending strategies
Strong communication and relationship-building skills across a wide range of functions and levels of seniority, from shop floor technicians to engineers to senior executives
High agency and high grit – we will be working on hard problems that will require tenacity and the ability to take extreme ownership to see projects through to completion
Must qualify as a U.S. person under ITAR and/or EAR regulations.
U.S. Citizenship may be required due to contract requirements.

Nice To Haves

Quantitative or STEM background

Responsibilities

Lead high-priority projects from problem definition through implementation and handoff
Improve processes, systems, and ways of working that limit speed, scale, or execution
Quickly break down system or process issues, identify root causes, and build out solutions alongside the relevant stakeholders
Do the messy work of determining root cause, bridging cultural gaps between teams and functions, building new tooling or processes, and training teams to adopt new practices
Work alongside Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, IT, Programs, Growth, and other teams to implement solutions
Help build out the Business Operations team by shaping our project list, briefing the executive leadership team on our work, and recruiting talent
Work at startup pace and bend AV towards the speed and urgency of an early-stage company