Department Head - Scientific Research and Technical Services

A.I.S., Inc. (AIS) is a national scientific services firm supporting maritime activities requiring certification of compliance with environmental regulations as well as collecting data for use by Federal, State, Municipal, and other government agencies along the US coastline. AIS is looking for a Department Head to manage and grow our scientific research and technical services portfolio of projects.

Primary Function:

The Department Head leads and manages departmental staff, ensuring alignment with the corporate strategic plan. This role includes developing and executing growth strategies, enforcing operational policies, setting SMART goals, and tracking KPIs to maintain operations. Key responsibilities involve achieving both financial and mission-critical targets, fostering sustainable growth, and minimizing operational and company risks. The Department Head also provides leadership and mentorship to department level staff to cultivate a culture of accountability and excellence. Additionally, the Department Head is responsible for establishing short- and long-term department plans, managing budgets, setting pricing for service offerings, quality control, and championing business development efforts for the department. They handle risk management and work cross-functionally to drive efficiency across the department.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Department Leadership and Communication

• Lead, motivate, and manage departmental staff, including Program, Project, and Task Order Managers.
• Develop and implement department plans in alignment with corporate goals.
• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess departmental and personnel performance.
• Ensure high-quality output and service standards through quality control measures.
• Communicate regularly with customers, attend networking events, and conduct outreach.
• Design and implement process improvements to address deficiencies and enhance efficiency.
• Facilitate team communication about performance, corporate policies, and project developments.
• Address conflicts and issues within the department to maintain a positive work environment.

Financial Management

• Establish and review department revenue projections, actuals, and variances quarterly.
• Develop and implement plans to address revenue shortfalls.
• Monitor and analyze departmental costs, ensuring adherence to budget goals.
• Report on cost variances and implement strategies to manage financial performance.

Capture and Business Development

• Collaborate with the business development team to transition opportunities into actionable strategies.
• Develop and execute capture strategies for pursuit efforts, including cost/price strategies and proposal development.
• Foster partnerships and create capture teams to ethically position the company for success.
• Lead business development activities, including opportunity qualification, customer relationship management, and strategic positioning.

Proposal Writing and Support

• Analyze Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and develop competitive responses.
• Prepare grant submissions and proposals for federal, state, and commercial entities.
• Collaborate with the Proposal Manager and executive leadership to ensure alignment and quality.
• Research competitors and highlight AIS's strengths in proposal content.
• Develop engaging materials incorporating features, benefits, and visual elements.

Contract and Project Management

• Oversee performance across contracts, ensuring alignment with technical scope, schedule, and budget.
• Drive contract profitability while positioning the company for follow-on work.
• Supervise contract staff, review deliverables, manage schedules, and foster top-performing teams.

Strategic Growth and Process Innovation

• Identify opportunities to expand company capabilities and influence across departments.
• Lead initiatives to streamline workflows, enhance efficiency, and implement best practices.
• Establish performance metrics and foster innovation through creative problem-solving.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop and execute growth strategies, leveraging company resources effectively.

Shaping Company Direction and Client Interface

• Assess trends, client needs, and market opportunities to set priorities and objectives.
• Collaborate cross-departmentally to align goals and allocate resources efficiently.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with clients (e.g., NOAA), ensuring clear communication and high satisfaction.
• Represent the company in client meetings and maintain positive relationships.
• This role requires a balance of strategic vision, operational management, and leadership capabilities to support A.I.S., Inc.'s mission and long-term success.

Compensation: Candidates will be paid a salary to be negotiated, and total compensation will vary depending on candidates' depth of experience. This is a full-time position. AIS benefits package includes health and dental insurance, vacation, sick and holiday benefits.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and 15+ years of prior relevant experience or Masters with 13+ years of prior relevant experience (additional education, training or experience may be considered in lieu of degree).
• Proven record of success managing capture efforts in the Federal contracting space.
• Demonstrated skills in all areas of business development including: opportunity qualification, capture strategy, customer visits, customer relationship development, relationship development with competition, team leadership, collaboration, etc.

Preferred Qualifications:

• This role requires an ethical approach to winning, comprehensive business acumen, technical understanding and/or education, resourcefulness to manage process driven captures, and internal/external customer relations-oriented individual.
• Prior business development experience with NOAA components or scientific research domain.
• Ability to gain internal support, operate independently with limited supervision and feedback, and establish solid working relationships with technical staff, managers, and peers across the corporation
• Possess business and technical vision
• Ability to think strategically
• Possess analytical presentation and problem-solving skills

Travel:

• Travel Estimated: 15%

Location:

• 540 Hawthorn St. Dartmouth, Ma

Contact:

If you would like to apply for this exciting new opening, please click the following link http://aisobservers.com/careers/ to submit the required information:

• Resume
• Cover letter detailing experience.
• 3 professional references (name, email address and phone number)

All documents must be submitted for your application to be considered. If you have any questions pertaining to this opening, please feel free to contact the Talent Acquisition Team at talentacquisitionteam@aisobservers.com or 508-990-9055.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of A.I.S. to recruit, hire, train, promote, transfer and compensate our employees and provide all other conditions of employment including Company sponsored events without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, lawful alien status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.

Must be able to work in the U.S. * VEVRAA Federal Contractor * Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals * Equal Opportunity Employer