Operations Lead

We are seeking a results-oriented Operations Lead to provide operational leadership and coordination across a DoW technology program. This individual serves as the central point of accountability for day-to-day operations by overseeing help desk operations, supporting the deployment and operation of cloud-hosted applications in Microsoft Azure, facilitating Change Control Boards, and ensuring program tools and documentation remain current and accessible. The ideal candidate is a disciplined, mission-focused professional with a technical background who excels at cross-functional coordination, drives work to completion with minimal oversight, and communicates with clarity at all levels of the organization.

Why Work with us? 

Applied Research Solutions (ARS) is respected as a world-class provider of technically integrated solutions as we deliver premier talent and technology across our focused markets for unparalleled, continuous mission support. Awarded a Best Places to Work nominee since 2020, ARS recognizes that without our career- driven, loyal professionals, we would not be able to deliver state-of-the-art results for our mission partners. We firmly believe that prioritizing our employees is of the upmost importance. We provide a culture where our employees are challenged to meet their career goals and aspirations, while still obtaining a work/life balance. ARS employees are motivated through our industry competitive benefits package, our awards and recognition program, and personalized attention from ARS Senior Managers.  

Responsibilities include:

Operational Leadership & Coordination

• Serve as the central point of accountability for day-to-day operational execution across the program
• Coordinate across teams and stakeholders to drive tasks, action items, and decisions to resolution
• Identify and remove operational blockers, escalating with context and recommended solutions when needed
• Maintain clear visibility into program status and communicate proactively to program leadership

Help Desk Oversight

• Oversee daily help desk operations, ensuring coverage, performance, and service quality meet contractual requirements across required operating hours (8:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.)
• Monitor help desk metrics and trends, escalating recurring issues or systemic patterns to program leadership
• Support onboarding and oversight of help desk staff, ensuring adherence to security and operational standards

Cloud Application Operations

• Oversee the deployment and operation of cloud-hosted applications in Microsoft Azure
• Coordinate with technical staff to ensure application environments are maintained, monitored, and operating within DoD security and compliance requirements
• Support configuration management and change activities related to cloud-hosted application infrastructure

Change Control Board (CCB) Management

• Facilitate Change Control Board meetings, ensuring proposed changes are reviewed, documented, and approved in accordance with program processes
• Maintain CCB records and track the status of approved, pending, and rejected changes
• Coordinate with the Architect, Tech Lead, and relevant stakeholders to ensure changes are implemented in alignment with CCB decisions

Program Tools & Documentation

• Own the day-to-day health and accuracy of Jira and Confluence, ensuring tickets are current, documentation is maintained, and team workflows are reflected accurately
• Establish and enforce consistent standards for how the team uses program tools
• Support preparation of program status updates, reports, and customer-facing deliverables as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications/ Technical Experience Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Active Secret security clearance or eligibility to obtain one
• Demonstrated experience in an operational leadership or coordination role, preferably in a government or DoD-adjacent environment
• Experience facilitating or participating in Change Control Board processes
• Proficiency with Jira and Confluence for program tracking and documentation
• Familiarity with Microsoft Azure and cloud-hosted application environments
• Strong organizational and communication skills with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing priorities
• Ability to work independently and maintain operational discipline in a fully remote environment

Strongly Preferred:

• Experience overseeing help desk or IT support operations in a government or cleared environment
• Familiarity with DoD security and compliance standards including ATO processes and change management requirements
• Familiarity with DevOps pipelines and cloud application deployment processes in Azure
• PMP, CAPM, or similar project or program management certification
• Experience with Agile or scrum methodologies in a government contracting context

All positions at Applied Research Solutions are subject to background investigations. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history and identity check.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-741.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability, and requires affirmative action by covered prime contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified protected veterans, and requires affirmative action by covered contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans.

All positions at Applied Research Solutions are subject to background investigations. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history and identity check.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-741.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of disability, and requires affirmative action by covered prime contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified protected veterans, and requires affirmative action by covered contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans.