Operations Lead at REI Systems

Sterling, Virginia, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

17 Feb, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

19 Nov, 25

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Operations Management, Federal IT Programs, Cybersecurity Frameworks, Performance Tracking, Team Leadership, Contract Administration, Compliance, Governance, Risk Management, Continuous Improvement, Cloud Platforms, DevSecOps, Automation, Agile, Analytical Skills, Communication Skills

Industry

IT Services and IT Consulting

Description

Overview REI Systems’ mission is to deliver reliable, innovative technology solutions that advance Federal clients' missions and exceed their expectations. Our technologists and consultants are passionate about solving complex challenges that impact millions of lives. We take a Mindful Modernization® approach in delivering our services, including application modernization, grants management, case management systems, government data analytics, and advisory services. This approach, the REI Way, ensures mission impact by aligning our clients' strategic objectives with measurable outcomes through people, processes, and technology. We offer the same commitment to our employees by providing professional development, meaningful projects, and flexibility to spend time with family and friends. We believe employees are at their best when fulfilled in both their professional careers and their personal lives. Learn more at www.REIsystems.com. Employees voted REI Systems a Washington Post Top Workplace in 2015, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024! Have you ever wondered how the food you eat is deemed to be safe, or how pharmaceutical companies are inspected to ensure the drugs they produce meet FDA regulations? If so, we have a very large new program with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and would love to have you join us! Responsibilities Position Overview The Operations Lead is responsible for the strategic and day-to-day leadership of program operations, ensuring seamless coordination across delivery, governance, compliance, resource management, and stakeholder communication. This role oversees operational execution, ensures alignment with contractual obligations, maintains compliance with federal security frameworks, and drives continuous improvement across the program lifecycle. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in operations management, federal IT programs, cybersecurity frameworks (FISMA/NIST), performance tracking, and team leadership. Key Responsibilities Operational Leadership & Program Oversight Lead daily operations for a large federal IT program ensuring delivery excellence, timeliness, and contract compliance. Oversee and manage operational workflows, program governance processes, performance metrics, and reporting. Partner closely with Program Manager, Technical Leads, and client stakeholders to resolve issues, remove blockers, and ensure program alignment with strategic priorities. Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), operational dashboards, weekly/monthly reporting, and KPIs. Coordinate resource planning, forecasting, and staffing alignment across agile teams and workstreams. Ensure continuity of operations, risk mitigation, and escalation management for all program-related activities. Oversee onboarding/offboarding processes, system access requests, training plans, and compliance documentation for team members. Contract, Compliance, & Governance Serve as the key point of contact supporting contract administration, performance monitoring, SLAs, and deliverable tracking. Ensure program documentation, deliverables, and operational artifacts meet agency standards, audit requirements, and contractual expectations. Support financial governance: monthly reporting, burn rate tracking, work authorization management, and budget alignment. Manage risk logs, action items, compliance checklists, and audit responses. Security Operations & Compliance Requirements Apply FISMA and NIST 800-53 frameworks to system architecture, design, development, evaluation, and integration. Develop and deliver IT Security Plans and ensure all security documentation remains current. Provide Web Application and OS vulnerability scan reports and assist in remediation tracking. Deliver POA&M updates and corrective action documentation according to GSA CIO IT Security Procedural Guides. Review and update System Security Plans (SSP) and Contingency Plans annually (NIST 800-34). Maintain and validate annual user access reviews and separation of duties matrix. Provide documentation for AT-2/AT-3 security and role-based training. Lead annual FISMA self-assessments, security testing coordination, and independent penetration test support. Maintain system configuration documentation, baseline configurations, and the annual Configuration Management Plan. Provide incident response plan test reports and updates aligned with GSA procedural guides. Maintain Interconnection Security Agreements (ISAs), MOAs, and ROEs in accordance with NIST 800-47. Maintain and update operational security policies including Access Control, Incident Response, Media Protection, System Integrity, Communications Protection, and more (NIST controls). Team Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement Provide operational leadership to cross-functional teams, including analysts, engineers, developers, and security specialists. Act as primary liaison to client leadership for operational updates, issue resolution, security deliverables, and performance metrics. Lead recurring client meetings, operational reviews, and strategy sessions. Promote a culture of continuous improvement, customer service, accountability, and operational excellence across the program. Continuous Improvement & Operational Strategy Identify operational bottlenecks and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, quality, and team productivity. Develop and implement performance dashboards, automated reporting, and workflow optimization strategies. Drive operational readiness for audits, assessments, and program reviews. DevSecOps, Cloud, A.I. and Automation Knowledge and understanding of CI\CD, DevSecOps, and operational automation Understanding of the Change Management Process and best practices Experience with cloud platforms, and work in a mixed datacenter environment. Understanding of Networking concepts and technologies Drive Cloud enhancements and Automation enhancements Identify areas where A.I. can be exploited to reduce cost, increase efficiency, and improve reliability of operational processes, procedures, or assets. Qualifications 10+ years of experience in operations management, program operations, IT service delivery, or federal IT environments. Deep understanding of FISMA, NIST 800-53, NIST 800-37, and federal security compliance frameworks. Ability to lead cross-functional operational initiatives and manage multiple priorities simultaneously. Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills with the ability to present complex information to leadership. Experience managing operational KPIs, performance dashboards, and process documentation. CISSP or equivalent security certification preffered. Experience working in Agile/Scrum environments strongly preferred. Federal government or GSA program experience is a plus. Desired Competencies Strong problem-solving skills and ability to handle escalations calmly and effectively. Demonstrated ability to drive accountability and improve team operations. Experience with governance boards, audit readiness, and security documentation. Ability to translate technical information into clear operational guidance for leadership and stakeholders. Educational Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Operations Management, or related field. Clearance: Eligible to obtain a public trust clearance. Location: Hybrid (One day per week or as needed in the REI Sterling Office) EEO Statement: REI Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In our workplace, we seek, we welcome, and respect diversity in all of its forms. #LI-Hybrid #LI-TK1

Responsibilities

The Operations Lead is responsible for the strategic and day-to-day leadership of program operations, ensuring seamless coordination across delivery, governance, compliance, resource management, and stakeholder communication. This role oversees operational execution, ensures alignment with contractual obligations, maintains compliance with federal security frameworks, and drives continuous improvement across the program lifecycle.