Director of Project Operations

Since 1992, Polestar has been helping our clients achieve success. We are a team of great people doing work that matters. Our passion is to provide technical solutions to reduce environmental risk, safely accelerate progress and reduce long-term costs for our Department of Energy and commercial nuclear industry clients.

We are looking for a highly motivated individual to join our team as Director of Project Operations. This is a key leadership role and part of the executive team reporting to the CEO. This role is for someone who wants to make a real impact-guiding project delivery, strengthening client partnerships, and helping shape the future of a growing company. This is an opportunity to lead meaningful work alongside experienced professionals who care deeply about safety, performance, and doing the right thing.

Polestar provides a competitive compensation and benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, paid holidays, generous paid time off and 401(k) with company match.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES

• Lead successful project and service delivery that meets client expectations, contract requirements, and company values.
• Build trusted client relationships that support strong execution and future business growth.
• Develop an engaged, accountable, and safety-focused work environment where teams can perform at a high level.
• Advance operational excellence through strategic planning, performance management, and continuous improvement.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Projects

• Lead project execution to achieve scope, schedule, budget, quality, and safety objectives across a portfolio of government and commercial work.
• Oversee project kickoff, execution planning, staffing, deliverables, invoicing, and closeout to ensure consistent and reliable performance.
• Serve as a primary client interface, building confidence, resolving issues, and identifying opportunities for continued partnership and growth.
• Provide direction to project leads, monitor utilization and forecasts, and communicate project performance through regular operational reviews.
• Support specialized program activities, subcontract oversight, and coordination with business operations and business development as needed.

People

• Lead and support technical staff by setting clear expectations, monitoring performance, providing positive feedback and feedback for improvement, aligning resources to business needs, and fostering open communication and accountability.
• Ensure personnel are trained, qualified, and operating in compliance with timekeeping, expense, quality, and safety requirements.
• Contribute to recruiting, onboarding, performance management, professional development, and succession planning to strengthen organizational capability.

Corporate

• Support business planning, KPI development, project management process implementation, and continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen operational performance.
• Champion company values and capabilities while supporting internal meetings, emergency response coordination, and proposal efforts as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of project management experience leading project operations and program delivery in highly technical government and commercial environments.
• 5+ years of leadership experience overseeing teams, operational resources, or project portfolios.
• Strong knowledge of project execution, budgeting, forecasting, contract administration, deliverables management, and client relationship development.
• Experience supporting recruiting, onboarding, employee development, and team performance.
• Excellent communication skills and a demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• PMP certification or a comparable project management credential.
• Experience with subcontract management, statements of work, contract modifications, and project closeout.
• Experience with Unanet Project Portfolio financial systems.

WORK LOCATION
Work will be performed at the Polestar office in Richland, Washington. Occasional business travel is expected.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors.