Vice President of Corporate Operations

Client
The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) is a nonprofit corporation that operates three Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) on behalf of the U.S. government. For 70 years, IDA has provided objective, data-driven analyses on the most complex national security and science policy challenges facing the United States.

IDA’s work is distinguished by four core attributes: independence from commercial conflicts of interest, rigorous analytical methodology, deep technical and scientific expertise, and a trusted relationship with government sponsors across the defense and intelligence communities. IDA’s three FFRDCs serve distinct missions:

• The Systems and Analyses Center (SAC), sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, provides integrated expertise in technology, policy, intelligence, and advanced analytics to support national defense decision-making.
• The Science and Technology Policy Institute (STPI), sponsored by the National Science Foundation, advises the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the President on matters at the intersection of science and public policy.
• The Center for Communications and Computing (CCC), sponsored by the National Security Agency, conducts advanced R&D in cryptology and computational mathematics across facilities in Bowie, MD; La Jolla, CA; and Princeton, NJ.

IDA also manages the Defense Management Institute, an independent research organization focused on organizational and management challenges facing the Department of Defense.

The Opportunity
IDA is seeking a seasoned operational and business transformation leader to serve as Vice President, Corporate Operations. This corporate officer and member of IDA's senior leadership team will modernize systems, processes, and service delivery models across the organization to reduce indirect costs, strengthen operational resilience, and position IDA for continued growth and mission success. The role calls for a change agent who can challenge legacy practices, lead complex enterprise-wide initiatives, leverage emerging technology including AI, and build a culture of continuous improvement while maintaining compliance, security, and operational excellence. With a total of 180 staff, the VP directly supervises and provides policy guidance to the Chief Information Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer, Chief Communications Officer, and the Head of Corporate Real Estate.

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Transformation & Continuous Improvement

• Lead enterprise-wide transformation initiatives that modernize operations, streamline processes, and improve organizational effectiveness across IDA.
• Evaluate existing operating models and develop future-state strategies that improve service delivery, scalability, and cost efficiency.
• Establish a culture of continuous improvement through process optimization, automation, and data-driven decision making.

IT Infrastructure and Technology Management

• In collaboration with the CIO, drive IT modernization, including eliminating redundant systems, optimizing software licensing, and implementing secure, scalable cloud and infrastructure.
• Oversee cybersecurity, disaster recovery, and business continuity programs, ensuring compliance with federal information security requirements and sponsor mandates.
• Direct IT projects including budget, staffing, and scope, ensuring alignment with corporate strategic objectives, and identify opportunities to digitize manual processes.

Corporate Real Estate and Facilities Management

• In collaboration with the Head of Corporate Real Estate, develop and implement strategic plans to generate ancillary revenue through space use and sublease opportunities.
• Oversee the corporate real estate portfolio, including leasing, space planning, and facility operations across all IDA locations.
• Ensure facilities meet operational, safety, and security requirements of classified work environments.
• Direct facility maintenance, renovations, and capital improvement projects, and manage vendor relationships.

Indirect Cost Management

• Work closely with Finance leadership to oversee indirect cost pools, ensuring compliance with federal cost accounting standards while optimizing indirect cost rates and cost recovery.
• Ensure proper documentation of indirect costs for sponsor audits and monitor cost trends to improve efficiency.

Corporate Governance & Leadership

• Oversee the development and execution of corporate operations and administration policies and advise corporate officers and the senior leadership team on related matters.
• Serve as principal corporate officer and representative of the IDA President in business, contractual, and general management matters, including negotiations with government and other entities.
• Approve matters related to salaries and benefits and serve as Chair of the IDA Retirement Committee.
• Keep the Board and the Nominations Governance Compensation Committee fully and currently informed of material matters within the role’s areas of responsibility.

Critical Success Factors

• Proven Enterprise Transformation Leader. Must have personally led multiple enterprise transformations from design through implementation, producing measurable improvements in cost, productivity, service delivery, or organizational effectiveness (e.g., ERP or major system implementations, shared services transformation, operating model redesign, cost reduction initiatives, digitization and automation, facilities rationalization).
• Deep Technology and IT Modernization Experience. Must have personally led major IT implementations or migrations (ERP, financial systems, HRIS, data architecture modernization, cybersecurity programs) and possess direct experience managing the operational setbacks and difficult tradeoffs inherent in complex implementations.
• Experience Applying AI and Data Analytics. Must have worked in a data-centric environment where AI adoption and digital transformation are underway, with experience in AI-enabled workflows, data governance, automation, analytics, and productivity improvements.
• Strong Business Judgment. Must have demonstrated ability to make difficult tradeoffs, balance speed against risk, allocate scarce resources, eliminate low-value activities, and drive accountability. This individual must be a decisive, hands-on leader rather than a coordinator or pass through executive.
• Government Compliance Literacy. Must have working knowledge of government contracting, cost accounting standards, audit requirements, cybersecurity requirements, and compliance frameworks, sufficient to challenge experts and make informed decisions, though deep subject-matter expertise is not required.

Qualifications

• 12-15+ years of experience in nonprofit (including university), commercial, or government institutions, including 8 years of increasing managerial responsibility; 20+ years of experience in corporate operations is highly desirable. Experience managing IT, facilities, real estate, HR, and/or corporate operations is desirable. Previous experience working with Board members is a strong plus.
• Business transformation experience, including the ability to analyze current state operations and design future state models, along with firsthand cross functional experience in IT, security, communications, and HR sufficient to implement updated processes and policies that reduce indirect costs and manage organizational risk.
• Demonstrated success identifying and implementing technology solutions, including AI tools, which eliminate manual workarounds, and deliver measurable productivity and cost benefits, while managing the associated organizational change.
• Familiarity with the research environment and demonstrated ability to work with technical, highly skilled research and operations staff in a collaborative, intellectually challenging setting; experience with an FFRDC is a strong plus.
• Able to represent IDA effectively with sponsors and in relevant professional forums.
• Strong analytic, problem-solving, and communication skills, with excellent people and team-building abilities and a track record of developing and articulating corporate policy.
• Proven process and project management skills, with a demonstrated track record of delivering complex, initiatives on time and within budget.
• Experience with federal cost accounting standards, indirect cost management, and government contracting, including knowledge of IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, and technology management in a research or government contracting environment.
• Commercial industry, management consulting, or technology company experience serving government customers, and/or experience working with U.S. Government agencies, the Intelligence Community, or federally regulated environments; FFRDC or university experience helpful but not required.
• Ability to travel approximately 10%.

Education: Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree highly desirable, preferably in business, management, public administration, or related field.

Compensation: $375,000-$425,000 commensurate with experience; eligible for performance bonus and relocation assistance (if needed); and a strong benefits package including employer retirement contribution and 457(b) deferred compensation plans.

Location: Alexandria, VA. In office at least four days per week.

Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship required.

Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance is required.

How to Apply: Please submit a resume as a Word or PDF document to Darren DeGioia at [email protected]