Director of Federal Operations

About the role

The Director of Federal Operations is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing, coordinating, and optimizing the operational execution of federally funded programs, initiatives, and contracts, including the Company’s continued expansion into federal construction and infrastructure-related work. This role serves as a strategic and operational bridge between executive leadership, internal business units, and federal stakeholders, ensuring that all operational activities align with applicable federal regulations, contractual obligations, and organizational objectives. The Director is accountable for establishing and implementing operational policies, procedures, and internal controls that support compliant, efficient, and high-quality delivery of services to federal clients. 

The role collaborates closely with executive leadership, program management, compliance, finance, human resources, and business development teams to translate federal requirements into actionable operational strategies. This position exercises broad authority over operational planning, workforce management, performance oversight, and process improvement across federal programs, while identifying and mitigating operational and compliance risks, ensuring audit readiness, and promoting consistent application of standards across all federal contracts and operating units. This role maintains a forward-looking focus on expanding construction-related federal operations. 

What you'll do

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the execution of federal contracts, programs, and initiatives, ensuring alignment with contractual requirements, federal regulations, and organizational objectives. 

• Establish, implement, and maintain operational policies, procedures, and internal controls to support compliant, efficient, and high-quality service delivery to federal clients. 

• Oversee operational planning, workforce management, performance oversight, and process improvement activities across the federal portfolio. 

• Partner closely with executive leadership, program management, compliance, finance, human resources, and business development teams to translate federal requirements into actionable and scalable operational strategies. 

• Ensure readiness for federal audits, reviews, and inspections by maintaining accurate documentation, reporting, and internal governance practices. 

• Identify, assess, and mitigate operational and compliance risks across federal contracts; implement corrective and preventive actions as needed. 

• Monitor program performance using data-driven metrics and key performance indicators; analyze trends and recommend improvements to enhance contract performance and operational maturity. 

• Serve as a primary operational point of contact for federal customers, contracting officers, auditors, and external partners, supporting transparent communication and timely issue resolution. 

• Support business development and growth initiatives by contributing operational expertise during capture, proposal development, transition planning, and contract start-up activities. 

• Lead, mentor, and develop operational leaders and teams, fostering a culture of accountability, compliance, and continuous improvement. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Operations Management, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred. 

• Minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience in operations, program management, federal contracting, or related fields. 

• Demonstrated experience leading operational functions supporting federal contracts in a private-sector or government-adjacent environment. 

• Experience working with or supporting federal agencies and understanding federal compliance and reporting requirements. 

• Prior experience in a leadership or director-level role overseeing teams, programs, or portfolios preferred. 

• Ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance, if required by contract. 

Desired Skills 

• Strong knowledge of the federal contracting environment, including contract execution, compliance, and oversight expectations, with experience or demonstrated understanding of construction operations, including federally funded construction and infrastructure projects. 

• Demonstrated ability to lead complex operations within highly regulated environments. 

• Proven experience developing and implementing operational policies, procedures, and governance frameworks. 

• Strong cross-functional leadership and collaboration skills, with the ability to influence at the executive level. 

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and risk management capabilities. 

• Experience preparing for and supporting federal audits, reviews, and compliance assessments. 

• Ability to use performance metrics and operational data to inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement. 

• Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills, including experience interfacing with federal stakeholders. 

• Strong people leadership skills, including coaching, performance management, and team development