Senior Director of Operations Portsmouth, VA

The Fairlead Structures Senior Director of Operations is a key member of the Structures executive leadership team responsible for overseeing end-to-end operations in the design, production, and delivery of modular assembly units for the United States Navy’s aircraft carrier and submarine programs. This role ensures operational excellence through effective leadership in financial and cost management, schedule performance, quality assurance, workforce development, and continuous improvement.

The Senior Director of Operations drives accountability, alignment, and execution across all levels of the organization to meet Fairlead’s commitments to the Navy, shipbuilding prime contractors, and internal stakeholders. Core competencies include:

• Leadership & Influence:
  Inspires, motivates, and drives accountability
• Financial Acumen:
  Expert in budgets, forecasting, and cost control
• Operational Execution:
  Delivers on commitments with precision and reliability
• Quality Focus:
  Champions continuous improvement and compliance excellence
• People Development:
  Builds future leaders and fosters high-performing teams
• Strategic Thinking:
  Aligns operational performance with long-term business goals
• Communication:
  Provides clarity, transparency, and consistency in messaging

• Lead daily operations of shipbuilding and modular assembly units with a focus on safety, efficiency, and compliance with U.S. Navy standards.
• Implement operational strategies, KPIs, and continuous improvement initiatives to achieve world‑class performance.
• Champion Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other best practices to enhance productivity, reduce waste, and optimize workflows.
• Support earned value management (EVM) and other performance measurement systems to connect schedule to cost and resource outcomes.
• Serve as the strategic link between Operations, Program Management, Supply Chain, and Finance to ensure plan and schedule integrity and alignment with cost and quality objectives.
• Develop, manage, and control annual operating budgets for operations, including labor, materials, and capital expenditures.
• Monitor project costs and implement corrective actions to ensure alignment with cost targets and profitability goals.
• Oversee and support earned value management (EVM) other performance measurement systems to connect schedule to cost and resource outcomes, cost reporting, and variance analysis for complex Navy programs.

• Establish and enforce strict quality standards that meet or exceed Navy specifications, contractual requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Partner with Quality Assurance teams to implement robust inspection and testing protocols throughout the production lifecycle.
• Drive a culture of "first‑time quality" to minimize rework and ensure reliability of all delivered modules.

• Build and lead a high‑performing operations leadership team, fostering collaboration across production, engineering, supply chain, and program management.
• Mentor and coach managers, supervisors, and future leaders, ensuring alignment with company culture and values.
• Establish clear performance expectations, conduct regular reviews, and implement development plans to maximize employee engagement and retention.

• Serve as the primary operations liaison with internal executives, program management teams, Navy stakeholders, and industry partners.
• Provide clear, consistent communication regarding operational performance, risks, and mitigation strategies.
• Develop and deliver executive‑level reports and presentations on financial, schedule, and quality performance.

• Contribute to long‑term strategic planning for operational growth, capacity expansion, and technology investments.
• Demonstrate executive presence, decision‑making skills, and a results‑driven leadership style.
• Drive alignment across the Structures division to ensure a unified operational strategy that supports the Navy mission and company growth objectives.

• Forecast labor, material, and…