Senior Director of Operations

Overwatch Mission Critical•Dallas, TX

4h•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking for a Senior Director of Operations (SDO). The SDO is a senior executive responsible for the end-to-end operational performance of the organization, with direct accountability for student recruitment and placement, financial performance, curriculum execution, and scalable growth. Reporting to the President and serving as a core member of the Senior Leadership Team, this role drives disciplined execution across enrollment, delivery, outcomes, and expansion initiatives to ensure sustainable growth, profitability, and mission impact. This position requires a strategic operator who combines data-driven decision-making with hands-on leadership, capable of building systems, leading cross-functional teams, and translating strategy into measurable results.

Requirements

Minimum of 10–15 years of progressive leadership experience in operations, education, workforce development, training, or a related industry.
Track record of scaling operations, launching new programs or locations, and driving measurable growth.
Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets, forecasts, and performance metrics.
Exceptional leadership, communication, and cross-functional influence skills.

Responsibilities

Serve as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contributing to enterprise strategy, annual planning, and long-range growth initiatives.
Establish operational governance, performance metrics, and business rhythms to ensure alignment across recruitment, instruction, placement, and finance.
Translate executive strategy into executable operating plans with clear accountability, timelines, and outcomes.
Own the full student lifecycle from lead generation and admissions through graduation and job placement.
Develop, execute, and optimize recruitment strategies to achieve enrollment targets while maintaining student quality and mission alignment.
Manage employer partnerships and placement operations to ensure strong employment outcomes, placement rates, and employer satisfaction.
Track and improve conversion metrics across the recruitment and placement funnel.
Hold accountability for operational revenue, costs, and margins across programs and locations.
Develop and manage operational budgets, forecasts, and financial performance dashboards.
Monitor unit economics (cost per student, cost per placement, revenue per cohort) and implement corrective actions as needed.
Partner with Finance to ensure accurate reporting, forecasting, and data-driven decision support.
Provide executive oversight of curriculum development, instructional quality, and program delivery.
Ensure curriculum remains aligned with industry demand, employer requirements, and regulatory standards.
Partner with academic leadership to continuously improve learning outcomes, completion rates, and student satisfaction.
Approve new programs, curriculum updates, and delivery models based on market demand and ROI.
Lead planning and execution of geographic, programmatic, and delivery-model expansion initiatives.
Conduct market analysis, capacity planning, and risk assessments to support sustainable growth.
Build scalable operational systems and processes to support expansion without degradation of quality or outcomes.
Oversee launch execution for new campuses, cohorts, or programs.
Lead and develop senior managers across operations, admissions, placement, and academic support functions.
Establish clear performance expectations, development plans, and succession strategies.
Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and student-first decision-making.
Recruit, onboard, and retain high-performing operational leaders.
Other duties as may be required.