Staff Program Manager, Operations Partnership

Aurora•Coppell, TX

27d•$133,000 - $190,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Aurora’s mission is to deliver the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly. The Aurora Driver will create a new era in mobility and logistics, one that will bring a safer, more efficient, and more accessible future to everyone. At Aurora, you will tackle massively complex problems alongside other passionate, intelligent individuals, growing as an expert while expanding your knowledge. As a Staff Program Manager, Operations Partnership, you will lead strategy and execution across highly complex operational partnerships and program portfolios. You will operate across Operations, Business Development, Product, Legal, and other functions to establish scalable partnership strategies, governance systems, and performance mechanisms that enable critical business objectives. This role requires significant autonomy, strong business judgment, and the ability to create structure and alignment across complex, ambiguous problems. You will help shape how critical partnerships operate at scale and influence decisions across multiple functions and levels of leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience; advanced degree preferred.
7+ years of relevant experience in program management, strategic partnerships, supplier management, operations, or a related field.
Demonstrated experience independently leading highly complex, cross-functional programs or partnership portfolios.
Proven ability to define strategy, operating models, governance mechanisms, and performance systems in ambiguous environments.
Track record of delivering significant functional or business outcomes through cross-functional leadership.
Strong executive communication, business judgment, and stakeholder influence skills.
Experience with commercial agreements, supplier negotiations, and partnership governance.
Advanced experience developing and using metrics, controls, and performance systems to drive decisions.
Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification, or ability to obtain certification within 90 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

Extensive experience in operational partnerships, supply chain, vendor management, or service-provider ecosystems.
Experience establishing scalable governance or operating approaches across multiple programs or teams.
Demonstrated success influencing significant business decisions without direct authority.
Experience designing scalable operating mechanisms in rapidly growing or complex environments.

Responsibilities

Serve as the strategic owner for complex operational partnership programs or portfolios, defining strategy, operating models, governance, measures of success, and key commercial and operational outcomes.
Anticipate emerging operational requirements, risks, and capability needs and translate them into scalable partnership strategies and programs.
Establish governance models, performance systems, controls, escalation mechanisms, and reliable operating cadences for critical strategic partners.
Lead complex supplier and commercial negotiations in partnership with Corporate Development and Legal.
Diagnose systemic performance challenges and apply DMAIC and other structured problem-solving methods to drive sustainable improvements at scale.
Shape and influence broader processes, operating models, and organizational interfaces to improve partner and operational performance.
Frame complex business decisions, risks, and tradeoffs for senior and executive leaders, driving alignment across functions and competing priorities.
Establish reusable practices and mentor others to strengthen partnership and program management capabilities across the organization.