Senior Operational Planner

Overview

Employment in this role is conditional upon successful execution of the contract by the client.

The Work

The Senior Operational Planner is responsible for developing, writing, and maintaining detailed operational plans, providing expert staff planning, and ensuring effective integration across multiple domains to strengthen organizational initiatives. The planner collaborates with subject matter experts, coordinates complex schedules, participates in important planning meetings, and sustains the alignment of operational efforts with established organizational and regional priorities.

This position aligns with Cayuse’s core values of Innovation, Excellence, Collaboration, Adaptability, and Integrity by fostering technical solutions that meet customer needs, promoting teamwork, and prioritizing quality in deliverables

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage operational plans and supporting documentation—including foundational plans, annexes, and appendices—for exercises, contingency scenarios, and multidomain integration initiatives.
• Support the articulation of organizational strategic vision, goals, and operational intent; ensure plans align with broader strategies and priorities.
• Participate in high-level planning conferences; coordinate meeting schedules and facilitate subject matter expert engagement at these events.
• Structured Decision-Making: Lead or support planning teams in framing complex challenges using recognized decision-making methodologies, including the preparation and delivery of detailed briefings to senior leadership.
• Integrate threat analysis and intelligence assessments to inform simulations, advise on competitor/adversary courses of action, and enhance operational strategies.
• Plan Maintenance and Documentation: Prepare, maintain, and update foundational plans and related documents to ensure they remain current and compliant with relevant industry guidance and best practices.
• Conduct feasibility studies and integrated planning development to advance operational effectiveness, including assessment of key activities, resource allocation, task organization, pre-positioned assets, and priority lists.
• Adapt contingency and operational plans to accommodate evolving scenarios and emerging requirements.
• Provide expert planning and advisory support across a range of operational functions, such as space operations, information operations, asset protection, air and missile defense, CBRN, health and safety, physical security, personnel recovery, explosive ordnance management, operational security, cybersecurity, risk assessment, infrastructure protection, continuity of operations, and biometrics.
• Contribute to updates and enhancements of organizational plans and policies; inform and support processes for reception, staging, onward movement, and integration (RSOI) as required.

Qualifications

Qualifications – Here’s What You Need

• Bachelor’s degree in Operations Research, Military Science, National Security, Engineering, or related discipline.
• Minimum five (5) years of direct operational or strategic planning experience in a military, government, or defense contractor environment.
• Must be able to pass a background check. May require additional background checks as required by projects and/or clients at any time during employment.
• Secret Clearance required.

Minimum Skills:

• Demonstrated expertise in exercise and experimentation design, airlift and mobility planning, operational analytics, and after-action reporting, with a strong record of compliance with relevant industry standards and best practices.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, coupled with advanced problem-solving abilities and a proven track record of successful cross-functional team collaboration.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to build productive working relationships.
• Outstanding organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with keen attention to detail.
• Proven ability to multitask and prioritize effectively in fast-paced environments with shifting priorities; adaptable and a rapid learner.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Skilled in handling sensitive and confidential information with integrity and discretion.
• Proficient in MS Office suite, with strong analytical, organizational, and time-management capabilities.
• Established relationships with potential clients and teaming partners, enabling immediate and effective contribution.
• Willingness to travel for short-term assignments as required.
• Highly motivated and comfortable managing multiple concurrent tasks.
• Demonstrated business acumen and strong understanding of industry practices.
• Ability to develop new relationships, both individually and in team contexts.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with demonstrated ability to facilitate meetings, coordinate schedules, and synthesize complex information.
• Proficient in the use of virtual meeting platforms and in hosting virtual and hybrid meetings (including Webex, Teams, and similar technologies).

Desired Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in operations, strategic studies, or a closely related field.
• Experience supporting complex organizational or multinational planning initiatives.
• Familiarity with structured planning and operational analysis processes, such as comprehensive decision-making methodologies and contingency or crisis management planning.
• Demonstrated expertise in multi-domain operations or key functional areas within large organizations.
• Experience in support roles on large-scale projects or contracts, including participation in and reporting on high-level meetings.
• Prior military service is desirable.
• Experience with market and business development.
• Proficiency in account management.

Our Commitment to you / overview of benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance; Wellness Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care, Commuter)
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability options
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance (Company Provided)
• Voluntary Life and AD&D options
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with matching after one year
• Paid Time Off

Reports to: Managing Director

Working Conditions

• The role is primarily based in an office environment, with limited opportunities for remote work as operational needs allow.
• Occasional travel throughout the Indo-Pacific region may be necessary.
• Must be physically and mentally able to perform duties extended periods of time.
• Ability to use a computer and other office productivity tools with sufficient speed to meet the demands of this position.
• Must be able to establish a productive and professional workspace.
• Must be able to sit for long periods of time looking at computer screen.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• May be asked to work a flexible schedule which may include holidays.
• May be asked to travel for business or professional development purposes.
• May be asked to work hours outside of normal business hours.

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Cayuse is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, skills, and abilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment in accordance with any applicable federal, state, or local law.

Pay Range