Operations Manager II - III

Position Overview

The Operations Manager (Grade 28/29) is a senior leadership role responsible for directing major operational segments, projects, or departments within UCOR. This position ensures the safe, compliant, and efficient execution of environmental cleanup, waste management, and reindustrialization missions across the Oak Ridge Reservation.

The successful candidate will drive strategic planning, optimal resource allocation, and rigorous project controls to deliver performance excellence, maintain strong client relationships (such as with the Department of Energy), and foster a robust, integration-focused safety culture.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Excellence & Project Execution

• Performance Oversight: Monitor and steer project performance to guarantee alignment with cost baselines, schedules, contractual commitments, and client requirements.
• Safety Leadership: Implement and champion Integrated Safety Management Systems (ISMS) and Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) principles to maintain an industry-leading safety culture.
• Conflict Resolution: Mediate and resolve complex operational challenges, contractual disputes, and stakeholder misalignment to maintain project velocity.
• Market Alignment: Contribute actively to the achievement of division goals and strategic market development objectives.

Contract & Risk Management

• Contract Administration: Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) on prime contract administration, including contract formation, compliance, modifying scopes, and claim negotiations.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure strict adherence to federal regulations, DOE orders, environmental laws, and company policies/procedures.
• Proposal Support: Provide strategic and technical expertise to Business Development and corporate teams during proposal preparation and prime contract negotiations.

Financial & Resource Optimization

• Financial Control: Oversee operating plans and administer complex, programmed overhead budgets to drive fiscal responsibility.
• Project Planning: Collaborate with Project Managers to develop comprehensive work plans, project controls, estimating methods, and resource allocation strategies.
• Standardization: Drive organizational consistency by developing, standardizing, and maintaining Project Manuals, operational procedures, and project control tools.

Talent & Organizational Leadership

• Mentorship & Growth: Provide visible organizational leadership, career counseling, and professional development programs to build a high-performing talent pipeline.
• Performance Management: Lead talent management activities, including performance evaluations, training coordination, and salary actions.

Job Knowledge & Required Skills

• Project Management Expertise: Deep knowledge of construction methods, engineering management, Estimating, Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS), procurement, and subcontractor management.
• Regulatory & DOE Frameworks: Strong familiarity with DOE regulations, directives, and instructions, alongside a proven track record operating in a nuclear or heavily regulated hazardous environment.
• Labor & Stakeholder Relations: Demonstrated experience in labor relations, subcontract negotiations, and managing diverse public/private stakeholder interests.
• Communication & Influence: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex technical and financial data clearly to executive leadership and federal clients.

Grade-Specific Requirements & Responsibilities

Grade 28

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in an engineering, scientific, business, or project management discipline (or an equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Experience: 12+ years of progressive project integration and management experience, specifically encompassing construction, project controls, and engineering.
• Level-Specific Responsibilities:
  • Coordinate daily Project Operations staff activities and act as the primary SME for contract modifications and administration.
  • Partner with cross-functional division leads to establish and implement standardized project planning, measurement, and control methodologies.
  • Draft, refine, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for Project Operations to standardize best practices.
  • Conduct performance evaluations, implement career development plans, and recommend compensation adjustments for assigned personnel.

Grade 29

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in an engineering, scientific, business, or project management discipline (or an equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Experience: 15+ years of progressive project integration and management experience, specifically encompassing construction, project controls, and engineering.
• Level-Specific Responsibilities:
  • Perform all Grade 28 responsibilities with a higher degree of strategic autonomy and decision-making authority over larger, multi-faceted operational scopes.
  • Provide direct, high-level staff assistance and strategic counsel to the Manager of Division Project Operations, Manager of Projects, or executive-level Project Managers.
  • Approve and process complex employee status change notices, personnel actions, and advanced organizational design restructuring.
  • Lead the development of long-term staffing pipelines and oversee the execution of strategic, multi-million-dollar overhead budgets.