What we are looking for

As a Staff Program Manager, Operations Partnership, you will lead strategy and execution across highly complex operational partnerships and program portfolios. You will operate across Operations, Business Development, Product, Legal, and other functions to establish scalable partnership strategies, governance systems, and performance mechanisms that enable critical business objectives.

This role requires significant autonomy, strong business judgment, and the ability to create structure and alignment across complex, ambiguous problems. You will help shape how critical partnerships operate at scale and influence decisions across multiple functions and levels of leadership.

In this role, you will

• Serve as the strategic owner for complex operational partnership programs or portfolios, defining strategy, operating models, governance, measures of success, and key commercial and operational outcomes.
• Anticipate emerging operational requirements, risks, and capability needs and translate them into scalable partnership strategies and programs.
• Establish governance models, performance systems, controls, escalation mechanisms, and reliable operating cadences for critical strategic partners.
• Lead complex supplier and commercial negotiations in partnership with Corporate Development and Legal.
• Diagnose systemic performance challenges and apply DMAIC and other structured problem-solving methods to drive sustainable improvements at scale.
• Shape and influence broader processes, operating models, and organizational interfaces to improve partner and operational performance.
• Frame complex business decisions, risks, and tradeoffs for senior and executive leaders, driving alignment across functions and competing priorities.
• Establish reusable practices and mentor others to strengthen partnership and program management capabilities across the organization.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience; advanced degree preferred.
• 7+ years of relevant experience in program management, strategic partnerships, supplier management, operations, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience independently leading highly complex, cross-functional programs or partnership portfolios.
• Proven ability to define strategy, operating models, governance mechanisms, and performance systems in ambiguous environments.
• Track record of delivering significant functional or business outcomes through cross-functional leadership.
• Strong executive communication, business judgment, and stakeholder influence skills.
• Experience with commercial agreements, supplier negotiations, and partnership governance.
• Advanced experience developing and using metrics, controls, and performance systems to drive decisions.
• Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt certification, or ability to obtain certification within 90 days of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive experience in operational partnerships, supply chain, vendor management, or service-provider ecosystems.
• Experience establishing scalable governance or operating approaches across multiple programs or teams.
• Demonstrated success influencing significant business decisions without direct authority.
• Experience designing scalable operating mechanisms in rapidly growing or complex environments.

For roles based in Coppell, TX: The salary range for this position is $133,000 - $190,000 per year.

Aurora's pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, the successful candidate's starting base pay will be determined based on factors including job-related skills, experience, qualifications, relevant education or training, and market conditions. These ranges may be modified in the future. The successful candidate will also be eligible for an annual bonus, equity compensation, and benefits.

Working at Aurora

At Aurora, we bring together extraordinarily talented and experienced people united by the strength of our values. We operate with integrity, set outrageous goals, and build a culture where we win together - all without any jerks.

We believe in-person work increases collaboration, empathy and our ability to lead effectively. As a result, we operate in a hybrid work environment where Aurorans are in office at least 3 days per week.

Our Careers page provides insight into what it is like to work at Aurora, and you can find all the latest updates in our Newsroom.

Our commitment to safety

At the core of everything we do is our commitment to safety. Building best-in-class self-driving technology will take time, and we believe that each employee at Aurora has a role in contributing to safety, every step of the way. Aurora expects commitment to our safety policies from every employee, and seeks candidates who take an active responsibility, can contribute to building an atmosphere of trust, and invest in the organization's long-term success by prioritizing working safely, no matter what.