[Hiring] Vice President of Operations & Finance @STI Federal

Role Description

Sault Tribe Incorporated (“STI Federal”) is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Vice President of Operations & Finance to join our executive leadership team and shape the future of our operations, driving scalability for rapid growth, both organic and through acquisition.

As the VP of Operations & Finance, you will be the CEO’s right-hand in evolving the operating model of a high-growth Federal contractor, harmonizing the business functions, and positioning STI Federal for continued sustainable growth. This leader drives organizational alignment, operational clarity, and cross-functional accountability, while overseeing service delivery, including subsidiary managers; finance and accounting; and pricing. This role is pivotal for operationalizing strategy, maturing systems and processes, stabilizing rapid growth, and enabling both organic and M&A driven expansion.

Key Responsibilities & Expected Outcomes

• Cross Functional Execution:
  • Translate the strategic vision into unified annual, quarterly, and weekly priorities with clear ownership.
  • Evolve the operating cadence to ensure all departments are aligned, accountable, and executing against the same priorities.
  • Drive cross functional efficiency, clarify decision rights, and ensure fast issue resolution.
  • Operationalize data driven decision making across the company.
  • Foster a culture of execution, ownership, and continuous improvement.
• Operational Readiness:
  • Build scalable systems, processes, and governance to support rapid growth, both organic and inorganic.
  • Drive ongoing process improvements that increase efficiency, quality, and scalability.
  • Enable effective resource planning and deployment.
• Delivery Excellence:
  • Enable a high-performing, compliant delivery engine capable of achieving exceptional CPARS and sustaining growth.
  • Align shared services provided to subsidiary entities around a customer and front-line focus.
• Financial Stewardship & Discipline:
  • Deliver predictable financial performance through proactive planning and clear KPIs.
  • Lead pricing, forecasting, budgeting, and financial reporting for the parent company, subsidiaries, JVs, and projects.
  • Oversee accounting to ensure strong cash management, financial controls, and DCAA-aligned practices.
  • Ensure audit readiness and mature internal controls across finance, accounting, contracts, and delivery.
  • Integrate compliance across service delivery and shared services.
• M&A Leadership & Integration:
  • Lead due diligence and integration planning and execution to align people, systems, processes, and reporting for a successful acquisition.
  • Achieve value-drivers while maintaining stable core operations.
• Compliance & Audit-Readiness:
  • Ensure audit readiness and mature internal controls across finance, accounting, and service delivery.
  • Integrate compliance across service delivery and shared services.

Qualifications

• Demonstrates a dedication to upholding and enhancing STI Federal’s core values.
• Excels in a collaborative team environment, fostering positive relationships and contributing to shared goals with professionalism and mutual respect.
• Strong cross-functional leadership and the ability to align multiple senior leaders around priorities and drive accountability including in areas without authority, building trust and influence across departments.
• Exceptional conflict resolution, decision-making discipline, problem-solving, communication, and prioritization.
• Disciplined, organized, and emotionally intelligent.
• Ability to translate vision into clear execution plans.
• Deep understanding of service delivery operations within a federal contracting environment.
• Strong command of GovCon finance: indirect rates, cost allocations, job costing, pricing strategy, project P&L, budgeting and forecasting.
• In-depth understanding of federal financial controls, DCAA requirements, and audit readiness best practices.
• Thorough knowledge of federal compliance requirements, FAR/DFARS, and full contract lifecycle management.
• Ability to build scalable operating systems across a multi-entity GovCon portfolio.
• Experience maturing enterprise systems (ERP, CRM, project management tools, financial systems).
• Proven track record leading due diligence and post-acquisition integration.
• Excellent communication, relationship building, and executive presence.

Requirements

• 10–15+ years in federal contracting with senior leadership over operations, finance, accounting, and contracts.
• 5+ years in VP-level or equivalent role in a high-growth small-mid GovCon organization.
• Must have direct experience leading M&A integrations.
• Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional teams through complex operational initiatives and process improvement efforts.
• Demonstrated experience working with or within Tribal 8(a) organizations, including an understanding of sole-source procurement, partnership structures, and compliance considerations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred (MBA, MPA, or similar).

Compensation & Work Environment

• Salary Range: $190,000 - $210,000 dependent on experience.
• Environment: This is a remote position that may be based anywhere within the continental United States. Preference will be given to candidates located in or near the following metropolitan areas: Sault Ste Marie, MI; Washington, DC; Atlanta, GA; San Antonio, TX; Denver, CO.
• Travel: This position will require periodic travel (up to 30%) for key meetings, team collaboration, or industry events, including quarterly leadership sessions.

Company Description

STI Federal is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. Qualified applicants are considered for employment regardless of age, disability, ethnicity/race, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Native American preference applies when candidates meet qualifications equally.

STI Federal participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. Learn more about E-Verify.