The Opportunity
AURA is seeking a highly capable Operations Manager to serve as a right hand to our Head of Operations and help run the day-to-day operations of a growing government contractor that is actively scaling into the commercial market.
This is a broad, hands-on role built on strong project management, sharp organization, and a willingness to learn.
We are looking for someone smart and adaptable who can absorb complex tasking across multiple areas, bring structure to it, and execute - the kind of person who becomes more valuable the more they take on. You do not need to arrive an expert in every domain below; you need to be someone we can hand hard, varied problems to and trust to run with them.
The successful candidate must be located within commuting distance of our corporate office in Raleigh, North Carolina. This is a full-time hybrid role reporting to the Head of Operations.
Due to Department of Defense contract requirements, candidates must be U.S. Citizens to be considered for this position.
What You Will Do
- Bring strong project management to cross-functional initiatives, deadlines, and deliverables across both our government and commercial business - keeping work on scope, on schedule, and moving.
- Support day-to-day operational, HR, and administrative needs of the business, working hand in hand with internal teams and external partners.
- Coordinate talent operations: track staffing requirements, support recruiting, and coordinate new-hire onboarding and paperwork. Administer general HR processes in consultation with Executive Operations and the Head of Operations.
- Support the contracts lifecycle - review, administration, tracking, and close-out for both government and commercial agreements - and support proposal development and coordination (schedule management, compliance reviews, costing inputs, and supporting documentation).
- Coordinate companywide training, engagement, and recognition - delivering operational and required training, closing gaps, running the employee recognition program, and supporting company engagement.
- Coordinate asset tracking and tagging, space allocation, telecommunications, and physical-space planning as the company expands.
- Project-manage IT and security initiatives in coordination with our external MSP and IT partners, helping keep work on scope, schedule, and deliverables.
- Support AURA's compliance and security efforts - including cybersecurity and CMMC readiness - partnering with our compliance lead, IT team, and external MSP. This is a supporting role; you'll help coordinate and track the work, not own the program.
- Serve as a backup to Executive Operations on procurement, accounts payable, NDAs, and export compliance, providing support as needed.
- Help identify operational gaps and inefficiencies, and support process and policy improvements as the company grows.
- Pitch in across functions as needed - at a company our size, everyone helps wherever the team needs support, regardless of whose lane it technically falls in.
What We're Looking For
- Strong project management skills, with a proven ability to run cross-functional initiatives and coordinate external vendors and partners (such as an MSP) to deliverables.
- 5+ years of progressive operations, business-management, or program-coordination experience.
- Exceptional organizational and multitasking skills - the ability to manage multiple competing priorities without dropping the ball.
- A demonstrated ability to learn new domains quickly and translate requirements into repeatable practice. You're eager to grow into unfamiliar areas rather than intimidated by them.
- Experience across people operations and general HR - recruiting, onboarding, and supporting staff.
- Sound judgment under ambiguity - you know when to act independently and when to escalate.
- Comfort coordinating with IT and MSP partners on technical projects.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and SharePoint; comfort with project management, HR, and travel & expense systems.
- U.S. Citizenship required.
Nice to Have (Not Required - We'll Train)
- Familiarity with GovCon and/or commercial operating environments; DoD experience.
- Exposure to compliance/security frameworks (e.g., CMMC, NIST 800-171, DFARS) or a willingness to learn them.
- Relevant certifications (e.g., PMP) or experience with tools like Concur, Smartsheet, and CRM systems.
Why This Role
- Variety and impact. You'll work across operations, HR, contracts, and administration, partner with external vendors, and help improve how this company operates as it scales.
- Growth. AURA is a rapidly growing company with active government contracts, a robust R&D pipeline, and significant commercial potential. This role has real runway - it's built for someone we can invest in and grow.
- Culture. AURA is an R&D company at heart. You'll be surrounded by smart, driven people solving genuinely hard problems.
Benefits
- Fortune 500-level health care coverage
- Unlimited Leave Program after 60 days
- 10 paid holidays & paid winter break
- 401(k) Safe Harbor contributions
- Employee discount program
To Apply
Submit your resume/CV in PDF format via the instructions at aura.company/careers/
Please include a carefully written cover letter explaining your interest in the position and why you're the best candidate, along with your CV and three professional references (one from a current or former supervisor), in PDF format only via BambooHR.
Attachments must be in PDF format or they will not be opened, due to virus concerns. No phone calls after submission. We'll confirm receipt by automated reply and contact candidates who are a good fit after the closing date.
