Operations Lead, Strategic Partnerships

The role

The Operations Lead builds and manages systems for the Strategic Partnerships Department. This person owns business infrastructure, coordinates customer training logistics, and drives processes to align opportunities, programs, and internal teams.

What you will do

• Own the architecture, governance, and development of the CRM environment
• Design and maintain scalable structures for accounts, contacts, and business data
• Establish CRM standards, data-entry requirements, and operating procedures
• Develop dashboards, reports, and management products for leadership visibility
• Maintain data integrity and drive CRM adoption
• Coordinate execution of customer training engagements including schedules, rosters, and travel
• Serve as a central coordination point for demonstrations, training events, and customer visits
• Maintain departmental calendars and track opportunities, deadlines, and events
• Support pipeline reviews, opportunity assessments, forecasting, and reporting
• Identify operational bottlenecks and implement practical solutions

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, operations, information systems, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
• Experience in business operations, program coordination, project management, sales operations, or a related function
• Demonstrated ability to design, implement, or improve organizational processes and workflows
• Experience working with CRM platforms, databases, or comparable business information systems
• Strong analytical skills
• Exceptional organizational skills
• Ability to coordinate complex activities across internal and external stakeholders
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with technical and non-technical teams
• Ability to identify problems, develop practical solutions, and independently drive implementation
• Proven success in dynamic or shifting operational environments

Nice to have

• Experience administering or developing CRM environments such as Microsoft Dynamics 365, NetSuite, or comparable platforms
• Experience with Microsoft Power BI, Power Automate, SharePoint, or other workflow automation and business intelligence tools
• Demonstrated ability to translate business requirements into structured data models, workflows, dashboards, and reporting systems
• Experience developing KPIs, pipeline reporting, forecasts, or management dashboards
• Experience coordinating customer training, demonstrations, field events, or other logistics-intensive engagements
• Experience in defense technology, aerospace, UxS, advanced manufacturing, or government contracting environments
• Familiarity with U.S. Government and DoW business development, contracting, or acquisition processes
• Working knowledge of export-control and compliance environments, including ITAR/EAR
• Experience using technology and automation to reduce manual administrative workload
• Experience working in a startup or high-growth environment

Benefits

• Generous PTO policy
• Comprehensive medical coverage (80% company-paid for employee + dependents)
• Vision & dental (100% company-paid)
• Short and long-term disability coverage (100% company-paid)
• Generous 401(k) retirement plan
• Company-paid life insurance
• Great teammates and well stocked snacks

Before you apply

• We are committed to supporting relocation for the right candidates

About the company

Kraken Kinetics designs and manufactures advanced kinetic solutions for the United States Armed Forces and its allies. They specialize in mission-tailored warheads and firing systems for unmanned and autonomous weapon platforms.