Manager, Command Center Operations

Aurora Innovation•Dallas, TX

23h

About The Position

Aurora hires talented people with diverse backgrounds who are ready to help build a transportation ecosystem that will make our roads safer, get crucial goods where they need to go, and make mobility more efficient and accessible for all. We’re seeking a mission-driven Manager, Autonomous Vehicle Operations (Manager, Command Center Operations) based in Coppell, Texas to lead the execution of Command Center operations supporting Autonomous Vehicle Operations. This role translates Command Center strategy into disciplined execution across daily operations, incident response, and continuous improvement in a safety-critical environment, supporting safe on-road operations, commercial outcomes, customer focus, and fleet optimization through consistent, high-quality operational execution. In this role, you will Lead execution of Command Center operations ensuring day-to-day activities align with safety standards, commercial priorities, and established operational goals. Make timely risk decisions within defined guardrails, and coach managers on escalation practices and decision quality in safety-critical situations. Set near-term execution expectations and operating rhythms for managers responsible for real-time Command Center operations. Guide mission prioritization and assignment through managers in alignment with defined business goals, timelines, and Command Center priorities. Support managers in delivering strong daily operational performance and provide clear status, risks, and escalations to leadership. Establish and reinforce consistent operational handoffs, documentation standards, and escalation paths across regions. Model strong leadership behaviors and coach managers to drive engagement, accountability, and collaboration. Lead continuous improvement efforts by guiding managers to identify gaps, pilot improvements, and institutionalize changes that enhance readiness and efficiency. Ensure adherence to global SOPs and operational standards by setting clear expectations, monitoring compliance, and addressing gaps. Serve as an escalation point during incidents and emergent operational situations, supporting managers with decision-making, prioritization, and leadership presence. Provide coaching, feedback, and informal input to people managers, strengthening leadership capability, accountability, and succession readiness. Communicate clearly with leadership and cross-functional partners, synthesizing inputs from managers to surface risks, progress, and operational insights.

Requirements

7+ years of experience in commercial operations or a related high-tempo, safety-critical environment (e.g., transportation, logistics, technology operations).
3+ years of people leadership experience, including managing people managers responsible for real-time operations.
Demonstrated ability to lead execution in complex, fast-paced environments with competing priorities and evolving conditions.
Strong operational judgment with experience making time-sensitive risk decisions within defined guardrails.
Proven experience coordinating across cross-functional partners such as Product, Safety, Engineering, Business Development, or Operations.
Ability to interpret operational metrics and dashboards to monitor performance, identify risks, and inform execution decisions.
Clear, concise communication skills with the ability to synthesize information, escalate risks, and align stakeholders.
Availability to provide leadership coverage and decision support for a 24/7 operational environment, as needed.

Nice To Haves

Experience in autonomous vehicle operations, transportation, logistics, military, or other safety-critical operational environments.
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
Experience leading operations across multiple regions, sites, or coverage models.
Working knowledge of continuous improvement practices such as Lean or Kaizen.
Demonstrated ability to blend data with operational judgment to identify root causes and drive improvement.
Experience developing people managers and building leadership bench strength.

Responsibilities

Lead execution of Command Center operations ensuring day-to-day activities align with safety standards, commercial priorities, and established operational goals.
Make timely risk decisions within defined guardrails, and coach managers on escalation practices and decision quality in safety-critical situations.
Set near-term execution expectations and operating rhythms for managers responsible for real-time Command Center operations.
Guide mission prioritization and assignment through managers in alignment with defined business goals, timelines, and Command Center priorities.
Support managers in delivering strong daily operational performance and provide clear status, risks, and escalations to leadership.
Establish and reinforce consistent operational handoffs, documentation standards, and escalation paths across regions.
Model strong leadership behaviors and coach managers to drive engagement, accountability, and collaboration.
Lead continuous improvement efforts by guiding managers to identify gaps, pilot improvements, and institutionalize changes that enhance readiness and efficiency.
Ensure adherence to global SOPs and operational standards by setting clear expectations, monitoring compliance, and addressing gaps.
Serve as an escalation point during incidents and emergent operational situations, supporting managers with decision-making, prioritization, and leadership presence.
Provide coaching, feedback, and informal input to people managers, strengthening leadership capability, accountability, and succession readiness.
Communicate clearly with leadership and cross-functional partners, synthesizing inputs from managers to surface risks, progress, and operational insights.