Business Operations Manager | Onsite in Washington, DC | 12-month contract-to-hire |190k - 200k/yr

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Business Operations Manager to support our team at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC. This role is pivotal in translating financial analysis into actionable program decisions, collaborating closely with technical leads and program management to ensure projects remain on track, on budget, and strategically aligned with sponsor expectations. The position requires part-time on-site presence in a classified environment, with no remote work available.

ResponsibilitiesServe as the primary liaison between the financial analyst, Cost Account Managers (CAMs), and the Program Manager, synthesizing data and operational insights to inform program decisions.Collaborate with engineering system leads to identify programmatic issues, resource gaps, and potential risks, and propose actionable solutions.Lead the development and management of the staffing plan, ensuring proper alignment of personnel to project needs and funding levels.Coordinate with the scheduler and systems engineering teams to assess and mitigate programmatic risks.Interface directly with new and existing government sponsors, developing funding profiles and managing 'color of money' (COM) allocations across contracts.Act as the senior business advisor to the Technical Program Manager, providing strategic guidance on funding execution, procurement planning, contract actions, and staffing forecasts.Lead and facilitate Program Management Reviews (PMRs) with the sponsor, particularly for NRL programs, ensuring clear, data-driven communication of program status and strategy.Support internal and sponsor-driven reporting requirements, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely delivery.Essential SkillsProgram managementProcess improvementOperationProject managementOperations managementFAR, DFARBachelor's degree in related field and 12 or more years of industry experienceUS Citizenship with current active security clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain SCIExceptional understanding of business operations and program management recurring tasks, reports, and workflows across supporting functional areas and operational teamsStrong working knowledge of DoD financial management, including funding types (RDT&E, O&M, etc.) and contract execution processesProven experience supporting engineering-led programs with cross-functional coordination (engineering, finance, contracts)Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to lead sponsor-facing presentations and reviewsDemonstrated ability to assess program risks and work across teams to implement mitigationsAdditional Skills & QualificationsExperience supporting NRL, DoD labs, or other R&D-focused government organizationsFamiliarity with Earned Value Management (EVM) principlesExperience outlining and executing project objectives, goals, milestones, and completionComfortable serving as focal point for coordinating with multiple geographically separated work centers in different time zones to achieve time-sensitive deadlines for products, work plans, or deliverablesStrong attention to detail; Excellent organization, planning skills, verbal and written communicationAbility to work independently in a fast-paced environment and collaborate with othersAbility to quickly learn new scope of work and grow with a scaling teamProficient in Microsoft Office SuiteWork Environment

This role is based on-site at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC. The work environment is classified and requires on-site presence, with no options for remote work.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $190000.00 - $200000.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Arlington,VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 8, 2025.

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\n\nAbout Aston Carter:\n

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® double diamond winner for both client and talent service.

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The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

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If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.

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