The Opportunity

Why choose between doing meaningful work and having a fulfilling life? At MITRE, you can have both. That's because MITRE people are committed to tackling our nation's toughest challenges—and we're committed to the long-term well-being of our employees. MITRE is different from most technology companies. We are a not-for-profit corporation chartered to work for the public interest, with no commercial conflicts to influence what we do. The R&D centers we operate for the government create lasting impact in fields as diverse as cybersecurity, healthcare, aviation, defense, and enterprise transformation. We're making a difference every day—working for a safer, healthier, and more secure nation and world. Our workplace reflects our values. We offer competitive benefits, exceptional professional development opportunities for career growth, and a culture of innovation that embraces adaptability, collaboration, technical excellence, and people in partnership. If this sounds like the choice you want to make, then choose MITRE - and make a difference with us.

The Business Operations Senior Principal will shape how the MNS Sector operates during a period of major organizational change. As we transition to a more integrated, enterprise‑aligned model, this leader will design the systems, rhythms, and decision frameworks that enable MNS to deliver mission impact with greater clarity, speed, and consistency. This is a strategic builder role—one that directly influences how the sector plans, prioritizes, allocates resources, and partners with centralized services.

This position offers a unique opportunity to operate at the intersection of strategy, operations, and enterprise integration. The Senior Principal will bring coherence to a complex service landscape, anticipate operational risks, and drive improvements that strengthen performance across every center. They will serve as a trusted advisor to executives and a catalyst for operational excellence. For a senior professional who thrives in ambiguity and wants to shape how MNS works, this role offers meaningful influence and lasting impact.

Roles & Responsibilities: Operations Leadership & Decision Support

Operate autonomously in a lean environment, owning key operational functions and making decisions that impact the entire sector.
Provide senior‑level judgment, analysis, and recommendations to sector leadership on operational issues, risks, and opportunities.
Work closely with MNS center operations teams to ensure clarity of information, consistency of implementation, escalation of issues for resolution, and arbitration/facilitation, as needed.
Allocate and manage Sector indirect budgets, ensuring leadership direction is implemented and Sector business and strategic needs are met.
Lead or support special projects, process redesign efforts, and strategic operational initiatives.
Act as a trusted advisor to sector executives, ensuring operational decisions are data‑driven and aligned with strategic goals.
Maintain and monitor MNS & corporate strategic calendars to ensure MNS teams have visibility to upcoming deliverables and activities.
Coordinate and monitor tasking to the MNS centers and corporate business partners to ensure all MNS deliverables and review materials are on time and of high quality.

Project & Portfolio Management Governance

Manage the sector’s project portfolio management (PPM) processes to ensure consistency, transparency, and disciplined execution across centers and divisions.
Develop and maintain standardized project and portfolio management practices, templates, and review mechanisms.
Facilitate portfolio reviews, risk assessments, and decision forums that support leadership oversight and resource allocation.

Cross‑Functional Partnership & Enterprise Integration

Serve as a key operational liaison to centralized functions (HR, Finance, IT, Security, Facilities, etc.).
Coordinate sector initiatives requiring cross‑functional collaboration, ensuring alignment of priorities, timelines, and resource needs.
Represent MNS in enterprise‑level forums and working groups, translating enterprise policy changes into sector‑specific implementation plans.

Pipeline Management & CONOPS Improvement

Lead sector‑wide pipeline management processes, including quarterly pipeline cycles, validation of center inputs, and alignment with workforce and delivery needs.
Drive continuous improvement of pipeline CONOPS, standardizing workflows, decision criteria, and forecasting practices.
Partner with HR, Talent Acquisition, Finance, and operational leaders to ensure pipeline health supports strategic priorities.

Sector‑Wide Operations Communications

Lead MNS Business Management communications, including weekly operational updates, leadership messages, and sector‑wide announcements.
Maintain and evolve the sector’s business management/operations website and related communication channels.
Develop communication products and lead sector wide communications efforts that support transparency, alignment, and adoption of operational processes.

Basic Qualifications:

Typically requires a minimum of 12 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 10 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 7 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.
Demonstrated experience delivering and influencing organizational strategies, roadmaps, financial planning, and management systems.
Strong operational acumen including indirect budget management, resource alignment across multiple business units and maturing operating rhythms.
Strong program and project management experience and significant experience leading operations in a diverse, technology‑focused organization
Experience coordinating cross‑functional initiatives involving HR, Finance, IT, Security, Facilities, and other enterprise service providers.
Demonstrated ability to operate autonomously, make judgment calls with incomplete information, and escalate issues appropriately.
Exceptional communication and executive‑level briefing skills, including the ability to synthesize complex operational issues into clear recommendations.
Proven ability to establish trust, influence, and consensus across Corporate, Sector, and Center leadership.
Quantitative mindset with strong analytical capabilities and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance.
U.S. Citizenship required.
This position requires a minimum of 50% hybrid on-site presence.

Preferred Qualifications:

Direct experience in an FFRDC, government contracting, or national security environment, with understanding of sponsor expectations, CPARS, and FAR/DFARS constraints.
Experience designing or improving CONOPS, operational workflows, or enterprise‑level process standards.
Expertise in pipeline management, including demand forecasting, staffing alignment, and integration with HR/Talent Acquisition processes.
Experience with enterprise service integration, including service catalogs, SLAs, performance dashboards, and cross‑functional issue resolution.
Advanced proficiency with analytics and dashboarding tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, Smartsheet, or similar platforms).
Strong facilitation skills, with the ability to lead cross‑center forums, resolve conflicts, and drive alignment among diverse stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex workstreams simultaneously, especially under tight deadlines and shifting priorities.
Experience developing and delivering executive‑level communications, including operational updates, leadership messages, and sector‑wide announcements.
Knowledge of MITRE project management tools and processes
Advanced degree in operations research, engineering, business, analytics, or a related field.

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s): None

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s): Top Secret

Salary compensation range and midpoint: $178,800 - $223,500 - $268,200 Annual

Work Location Type: Hybrid

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local or international law.

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Benefits information may be found here.

Business Operations Sr. Principal

The Opportunity

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