Open to opportunities

Sherman Watson

@shermanwatson

Message

Senior operations executive driving transformational performance and mission-focused organizational results.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I seek senior operational leadership roles where I can drive transformation, optimize resources, develop talent, and deliver measurable mission outcomes in fast-paced, mission-driven organizations.

I am a strategic, mission-driven senior operations executive with over 27 years of leadership across Department of Defense organizations. I specialize in operational transformation, multi-site leadership, and building diverse, high-performing teams that deliver measurable results under pressure.

Throughout my career I have directed large-scale operations impacting thousands of personnel, managed multimillion-dollar budgets, and executed multinational missions with demonstrated improvements in efficiency, readiness, and safety. I have developed succession programs, leadership pipelines, and partnerships that produced record recruitment, retention, and commissioning outcomes.

I combine vision, discipline, and collaboration to optimize performance and deliver enduring organizational impact, routinely earning top-tier evaluations and trust for enterprise-level initiatives.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Senior Operations Manager

Current

United States Army

Jun 2024 - Present (1 year 7 months)

Leads a geographically dispersed organization of 650+ personnel serving 35,000+ clients, managing a $7M annual budget and implementing resource optimizations that reduced operating costs by 18% while improving promotion readiness by 25%.

Budget Management Talent Development Succession Planning Process Improvement Stakeholder Engagement Program Management

Senior Operations Manager

United States Army

May 2023 - Jun 2024 (1 year 1 month)

Directed a 150-person cross-functional team executing multinational fire support missions across Europe, achieving 100% mission success and improving mission efficiency by 35% and resource utilization by 30%.

Multinational Coordination Fires Operations Process Optimization Risk Management Performance Management Safety Compliance Mentorship

Professor of Military Science

Tuskegee University

May 2020 - May 2023 (3 years)

Directed the Army ROTC program, managing a staff of 20 and training 150+ cadets annually, achieving a 100% commissioning rate and doubling program enrollment through targeted recruitment and partnerships.

Leadership Development Recruitment Program Management Mentorship Performance Metrics

Battalion Commander

United States Army

May 2018 - May 2020 (2 years)

Commanded a 650-member combined arms unit, improving readiness to top-rated battalion status and maintaining 100% mission success with zero major incidents while mentoring leaders for promotion.

Combined Arms Operations Leadership Development Safety Compliance Logistics Training Oversight Performance Improvement

Secretary of the Joint Staff

Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve

May 2017 - May 2018 (1 year)

Served as principal operations advisor to the multinational task force commander, coordinating 40+ coalition partners and streamlining processes to improve decision timelines by 25%.

Crisis Management Policy Development Process Improvement

Division Planner

United States Army

Jun 2016 - May 2017 (11 months)

Led long-range strategic and operational planning for division initiatives in the Indo-Pacific, designing multinational exercises with seven allied nations to enhance regional interoperability.

Strategic Planning Design Exercises Multinational Coordination Design Operations Policy Implementation Risk Assessment Stakeholder Engagement

Brigade Executive Officer

United States Army

Jun 2015 - Jun 2016 (1 year)

Served as principal advisor to the brigade commander supporting 2,600 personnel across six units, directing operations, logistics, and process improvements that increased operational efficiency and accountability.

Operations Management Logistics Process Improvement Organizational Development Performance Metrics

Operational Planner

United States Army

Jun 2013 - Jun 2014 (1 year)

Led theater-level planning for the multinational campaign supporting the Afghan presidential elections, integrating U.S., NATO, and Afghan forces and delivering policy recommendations adopted by senior command.

Joint Coalition Staff Coordination Policy Development Crisis Response

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

U.S. Army War College

Master of Strategic Studies, Strategic Studies

Completed the Master of Strategic Studies program focused on strategic leadership, national security, and joint warfighting concepts.

U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies

Master of Military Art and Science, Military Art and Science

Completed the Master of Military Art and Science, emphasizing operational art, campaign design, and military planning at the operational level.

Webster University

Master of Arts, Leadership and Management

Earned a Master of Arts in Leadership and Management with coursework in organizational leadership, management principles, and professional development.