The Vice President of Operations and Automation leads strategic operations, improves efficiency, implements automation, and manages cross-functional collaboration in a growing consultancy.
About Nava
Nava is a consultancy and public benefit corporation working to make government services simple and effective. Since 2015, federal, state, and local agencies have trusted Nava to help solve highly scrutinized technology modernization challenges.
As a client services company, we guide agencies constrained by legacy systems to a future with sharp user experiences built on secure, reliable, fault-tolerant cloud infrastructure. We bill for our time, offering our expertise and problem-solving approach to help our government partners enhance their digital products and services. People are at the heart of our work, from members of the public who rely on benefit programs to government agency staff. Through human-centered design and modern engineering best practices, we help our government partners understand user needs and deliver on their missions more effectively. This focus gives everyone at Nava the opportunity to do work that is meaningful, impactful, and deeply connected to public good.
Position summary
The Vice President of Operations and Automation provides strategic leadership and drives operational excellence across Growth, Delivery, IT, and Business Services for Nava’s rapidly scaling professional services organization. The incumbent centers delivery success and designs, runs, and adapts our operations to be efficient, scalable, and enable all delivery teams to thrive even as their needs change. They transform operational capabilities through innovative automation strategies, process optimization, and shared services approaches that support Nava’s strategic objectives.All duties will be in service of Nava's values: Be Active Stewards, Impact over Ideology, Build Together, Inclusion is Essential and Progress Takes Work.
What you'll do
- Developing and implementing comprehensive core operational strategies across Delivery, IT, and Business Services functions
- Creating a shared services framework that ensures seamless collaboration and efficiency across organizational units
- Designing and executing scalable, compliant operational models that support the company's strategic and growth goals
- Overseeing build vs buy decisions for enterprise-wide tooling and automating core operations
- Managing operational budgets and resource allocation across functional areas
- Providing executive-level reporting on operational performance and strategic recommendations
- Reimagining relevant core operations to be natively agent-based to simplify processes at increasing scale
- Leading the development and implementation of automation initiatives, including applications of AI toolchains to improve streamline processes, across all operational domains
- Identifying opportunities for process improvement and technological integration to increase organizational productivity
- Developing and maintaining operational dashboards and metrics tracking systems
- Evaluating and implementing automation technologies and tools
- Minimizing the rate of overhead cost growth through strategic investments
- Overseeing the selection, implementation, and optimization of enterprise-wide operational systems
- Ensuring seamless integration between operational technology platforms
- Driving digital transformation initiatives that enhance operational efficiency
- Continuous improvement on data structures to enable higher leverage work
- Building and mentoring high-performance operational teams
- Fostering a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and operational excellence
- Developing talent acquisition and retention strategies for operational roles
Required skills
- Minimum 7+ years of progressive leadership experience in professional services operations
- Proven track record of successfully managing automating core operations in a scaling organization
- Advanced skills in ensuring operational excellence and continuous process improvement methodologies
- Strong technology implementation and systems integration background
- Exceptional strategic planning and analytical capabilities
- Demonstrated success in leading change management initiatives, including introducing new technologies, optimizing workflows, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement
- Deep knowledge of compliance, risk management, and data governance frameworks
- Proven ability to manage vendor relationships and contract negotiations to ensure cost-effective and high quality service from third-party service providers
- Ability to mentor and develop high-performing teams in a dynamic, growth-oriented environment
- Experience driving cross-functional collaboration between business, technology, and delivery teams
- Familiarity with leveraging data visualization platforms, dashboards, and reporting tools to drive informed decision-making at the executive level
Desired skills
- Demonstrated experience in Government Contracting (GovCon) environment
Other requirements
All roles at Nava require the following:
Legal authorization to work in the United States
Ability to meet any other requirements for government contracts for which candidates are hired
Work authorization that doesn’t require visa sponsorship, now or in the future
May be subject to a government background check or security clearance, depending on the contract
Perks working with Nava
Health coverage — comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans to support your overall health needs
Insurance coverage — Nava provides disability, life, and accidental death insurance at no cost
Time off — vacation, holidays (including Juneteenth), and floating holidays to rest and recharge
Company holidays — enjoy 12 paid federal holidays each year on top of your regular PTO
Annual bonus — when Nava meets its goals, eligible employees receive a performance-based annual bonus
Parental leave — paid time off for new parents, plus weekly meals delivered to your home
Wellness program — full platform offering physical, mental, & emotional health resources & support tools
Virtual care — see doctors online with no copay through UnitedHealthcare’s virtual visit program
Sabbatical leave — earn extended unpaid leave after continuous service for personal growth or rest
401(k) match — Nava matches 4% of your salary to support your retirement savings plan
Flexible work — remote-first environment with flexibility built around your schedule and responsibilities
Home office setup — company laptop & setup assistance provided via Staples for remote work needs
Utility support — monthly reimbursement to help offset eligible home office utility expenses
Learning opportunities — internal training programs and resources to help grow your professional skills
Development opportunities — LinkedIn Learning access & an annual allowance for courses, tuition, & certs
Referral bonus — get rewarded when you refer great people who join the Nava team
Commuter benefits — pre-tax commuter programs to support in-office travel when applicable
Supportive culture — A collaborative and remote-friendly team environment where people genuinely care
Location
We have fully remote options if you reside in one of the following states:
Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, DC, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin
*If you are not living in one of the states listed above, unfortunately, you will not be considered for a position at this time.
Stay in touch
Sign up for our newsletter to find out about career opportunities, new partnerships, and news from the broader civic tech community.
Please contact the recruiting team at [email protected] if you would like to request reasonable accommodation during the application or interviewing process.
We participate in E-Verify. Upon hire, we will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. This role requires you to work from the contiguous United States.
Top Skills
Ai Toolchains
Cloud Infrastructure
Data Visualization Platforms
Operational Technology
Similar Jobs
Software
The VP of Technology Operations will lead strategic planning, manage technology infrastructure, and drive AI adoption, ensuring operational excellence and team collaboration.
Top Skills:
AIAutomationAWSCi/CdInfrastructure As Code
Artificial Intelligence • Cloud • HR Tech • Information Technology • Productivity • Software • Automation
The Commercial Account Executive will drive new business sales revenue in a specified territory, develop sales strategies, and manage client relationships to meet quotas. Responsibilities include account management and product demonstrations, with a focus on leveraging AI in business processes.
Top Skills:
Ai-Enhanced TechnologyCRM
Artificial Intelligence • Cloud • HR Tech • Information Technology • Productivity • Software • Automation
The Senior Global Solution Sales Executive will lead the go-to-market strategy for data and analytics, driving revenue growth through collaboration with teams and developing growth business cases.
Top Skills:
AIAWSData And AnalyticsEnterprise SoftwareGCPMicrosoftOracle Cloud
What you need to know about the Colorado Tech Scene
With a business-friendly climate and research universities like CU Boulder and Colorado State, Colorado has made a name for itself as a startup ecosystem. The state boasts a skilled workforce and high quality of life thanks to its affordable housing, vibrant cultural scene and unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation. Colorado is also home to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, helping cement its status as a hub for renewable energy innovation.
Key Facts About Colorado Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 260,000; 8.5% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Lockheed Martin, Century Link, Comcast, BAE Systems, Level 3
- Key Industries: Software, artificial intelligence, aerospace, e-commerce, fintech, healthtech
- Funding Landscape: $4.9 billion in VC funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Access Venture Partners, Ridgeline Ventures, Techstars, Blackhorn Ventures
- Research Centers and Universities: Colorado School of Mines, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Denver, Colorado State University, Mesa Laboratory, Space Science Institute, National Center for Atmospheric Research, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Gottlieb Institute
