Field Ops Special Projects Manager

Zipline • Fort Worth, TX

6d • $150,000 - $165,000

About The Position

Zipline is seeking a Field Ops Special Projects Manager to lead high-profile strategic partnerships from initial alignment through launch and ongoing execution. The role translates partnership goals into coordinated field operations and brings together external partners and internal teams to deliver complex initiatives safely, reliably, and on schedule.

Based in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, this person will serve as the accountable operational lead for selected partnerships and special projects. They will build relationships with senior partner stakeholders, define the path from agreement to operational readiness, and resolve issues that cross teams or organizations. The role requires sound judgment, executive-level communication, and the ability to move between strategy, detailed execution, and field realities.

The manager will work across commercial, operations, engineering, product, legal, finance, and other teams as needed. Regular travel to partner locations and other Zipline operating sites may be required. The role is suited to a seasoned operator who can create clarity in ambiguous situations, align people around measurable outcomes, and sustain momentum through launch and beyond.

Requirements

• 8–10+ years of experience leading complex partnerships, strategic programs, field operations, consulting engagements, or cross-functional initiatives.
• Track record of taking ambiguous, high-stakes work from strategy through execution and delivering measurable results.
• Experience managing senior external stakeholders and building productive relationships across organizational boundaries.
• Strong program leadership skills, including setting scope, sequencing work, managing dependencies, tracking risks, and driving decisions.
• Ability to influence without direct authority and align teams with different priorities around a shared outcome.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive updates and partner-facing communication.
• Strong judgment under pressure and ability to distinguish urgent issues from important long-term work.
• Practical, customer- and partner-focused approach, with attention to operational detail and follow-through.
• Comfort working in the field, visiting partner sites, and adapting plans to real-world operating conditions.
• Collaborative approach and willingness to work across commercial, operations, technical, and corporate teams.

Nice To Haves

• Experience launching or scaling strategic partnerships, new services, or complex multi-site operations.
• Experience in logistics, mobility, retail, healthcare, aviation, technology, or another operationally intensive environment.
• Experience building operating models, launch playbooks, governance structures, or partner performance reviews.
• Familiarity with data-driven operating reviews and continuous improvement practices.

Responsibilities

• Own assigned high-profile strategic partnerships and special projects from scoping and planning through launch, stabilization, and performance review.
• Translate partnership objectives into workplans, milestones, owners, dependencies, decision points, and measurable outcomes.
• Build and maintain relationships with partner executives and day-to-day teams, and establish operating cadence and escalation paths.
• Align internal stakeholders across commercial, field operations, engineering, product, safety, legal, finance, and other functions.
• Lead partner launch readiness planning, including site and process readiness, staffing, training, support models, communications, and contingency plans.
• Coordinate field execution across multiple locations, adapting plans to local conditions while maintaining consistent operating standards.
• Identify risks, surface tradeoffs, and drive timely decisions when scope, schedules, resources, or operating conditions change.
• Lead issue resolution during launches and ongoing operations, coordinating owners and keeping partners informed through closure.
• Track partnership health and performance using measures such as readiness, reliability, service quality, adoption, and partner satisfaction.
• Prepare concise senior-leader updates on progress, risks, decisions needed, and next steps.
• Capture launch lessons and field feedback and turn them into repeatable playbooks, processes, and improvements.
• Represent Zipline professionally and discreetly in high-visibility partner settings.

Benefits

• Equity compensation may be included in the total compensation package.
• Overtime pay may be included in the total compensation package.
• Discretionary annual or performance bonuses may be included in the total compensation package.
• Sales incentives may be included in the total compensation package.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid time off.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed