Sr Operations Manager

AURA TECHNOLOGIES LLC.•Raleigh, NC

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

AURA TECHNOLOGIES, LLC (AURA) is an advanced research and development (R&D) company creating game-changing innovations for the US Department of Defense and the private sector in cutting-edge technology. If you are a smart, capable, and talented individual who possesses high integrity, thrives in a fast-paced environment, wants to chart your own course based on your capabilities, and is willing to be accountable for failures and successes, then continue reading because you may be the ideal candidate to join our exponentially growing R&D business. Bigger challenges. Bolder ideas. Global impact. At AURA Technologies, LLC we're on a mission to deliver solutions with the capacity to change the world. We're a North Carolina company behind some of the world's most unique technology in government, hi-tech, AI, commercial and healthcare services. Our technology is bridging the digital divide to improve lives for our customers around the globe. By providing powerful new ways for people to connect with one another, we support our clients to gain greater access to data, decision making, medical research, commerce, and much more. Our team is empowering customers worldwide. The Opportunity - Senior Operations Manager AURA Technologies is seeking a Senior Operations Manager to serve as the operational backbone of a growing government contractor that is actively scaling into the commercial market. This is a broad, hands-on role built on strong project management and a willingness to learn — someone who can set up the structure a scaling company needs, own it, and work hand in hand with internal teams and external partners to execute against it. The successful candidate must be located within commuting distance of our corporate office in Raleigh, North Carolina. It will be a full-time hybrid role. You will run the day-to-day operational, HR, and administrative engine of the business, support the contracts and proposal lifecycle, and bring disciplined project management to initiatives across the company. You will also help advance AURA's compliance and security posture — including cybersecurity and CMMC readiness in partnership with our CIO/CTO and external MSP — and serve as a trusted backup to the EVP of Operations. This role is equal parts strategic and tactical, and it is built for someone who sees a problem and owns it. Due to Department of Defense contract requirements, candidates must be U.S. Citizens to be considered for this position.

Requirements

Strong project management skills, with a proven ability to run cross-functional initiatives and manage external vendors and partners (such as an MSP) to deliverables.
7+ years of progressive operations or business-management experience, ideally within a comparable organization.
Experience across people operations and general HR — recruiting, onboarding, and supervising or developing staff.
Demonstrated ability to establish and improve operational processes, and to translate requirements into repeatable policy and practice.
A willingness and aptitude to learn new compliance, security, and regulatory domains quickly — you don't need to be an expert on day one, but you're eager to grow into them.
Comfort partnering with technical stakeholders (e.g., a CIO/CTO and IT/MSP partners) and coordinating technical projects.
Experience supporting contracts, proposals, and core operational functions (Travel & Expense, asset tracking, AR, facilities/space planning).
Exceptional organizational and multitasking skills, with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities without dropping the ball.
Sound judgment under ambiguity — you know when to act independently and when to escalate.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and SharePoint; comfort with project management, HR, and T&E systems.
U.S. Citizenship required, with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance if needed.

Nice To Haves

Relevant certifications (e.g., PMP, Security+, or comparable).
Familiarity with both GovCon and commercial operating environments; experience in DoD space.
Experience with Travel & Expense software (e.g., Concur), Smartsheet, and CRM tools.
CMMC experience (preparation, assessment, or implementation) — though the right candidate can learn this on the job.
Hands-on cybersecurity experience or familiarity with frameworks such as NIST 800-171, DFARS, or NIST 800-53.
Experience administering a government security program, or completion of the DCSA FSO curriculum.
Export control experience (ITAR/EAR).
Active security clearance (Secret or above) is a plus but not required.

Responsibilities

Serve as the operational engine of the company — own day-to-day operations and bring strong project management to cross-functional initiatives, deadlines, and deliverables across both our government and commercial business.
Oversee talent operations: track staffing requirements, coordinate recruiting, and manage new-hire onboarding and paperwork. Administer general HR processes in consult with Executive Operations and the EVP of Operations.
Support the contracts lifecycle, including review, administration, tracking, and close-out for both government and commercial agreements, and support proposal development and coordination (compliance reviews, schedule management, costing inputs, and supporting documentation).
Own companywide training, engagement, and recognition — delivering operational and required compliance training, closing gaps, running the employee recognition program, and driving company engagement.
Own asset tracking and tagging, space allocation, telecommunications, and physical-space planning as the company expands.
Project-manage IT and security initiatives in coordination with our external MSP and in partnership with the CIO/CTO — holding partners accountable to scope, schedule, and deliverables.
Serve as a subject matter expert and continuity backup to Executive Operations on procurement, accounts payable, NDAs, and export compliance — areas owned by Executive Operations — providing oversight as necessary.
Help advance AURA's compliance and security program — supporting government security compliance (security education and training, insider threat responsibilities, and required reporting in accordance with the NISPOM and DCSA) and CMMC Level 2/3 readiness, with support from our external MSP. Facility and personnel clearance support would be future state.
Identify organizational gaps and inefficiencies and take action — building process, policy, and accountability into key areas to drive operational maturity as the company grows.
Step into any function as needed. At a company our size, the Senior Operations Manager is the person who sees a problem and owns it, regardless of whose lane it technically falls in.