Administrator / Senior Administrator (Strategic Partnerships Office)

Berkeley Lab•Berkeley, CA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Strategic Partnerships Office (SPO), within the Laboratory Directorate, seeks an Administrator or Senior Administrator to provide comprehensive administrative and operational support. SPO advances collaborations among industry, academia, federal sponsors, and non-profits, connecting scientific research with real-world applications. The role coordinates day-to-day operations, supports research partnerships, tracks deliverables, manages vendor contracts, coordinates logistics, supports compliance, and maintains administrative, financial, and procurement workflows and customer service across stakeholder groups. The position reports directly to the Chief Strategic Partnerships Officer (CSPO) and has an anticipated start date of December 7, 2026. The Administrator serves as the central operational point of contact for the CSPO, SPO team, and client groups. Duties include executive and team coordination, calendar management, travel assistance, onboarding, property inventories, timekeeping, budget tracking, procurement and vendor contract administration, website updates, dashboard and report preparation, records management, project tracking, staff support with tracking systems, and management of office space-related services and requests. In addition to Administrator duties, the Senior Administrator acts as a lead operational liaison for the CSPO and Directorate partners. This level establishes customer service standards, advises leadership on complex administrative challenges, resolves non-routine issues independently, establishes training protocols and workflows, designs and implements tracking frameworks and digital workflows, directs complex procurement, authorizes large-contract purchase orders and vendor agreements, develops purchasing compliance strategies, oversees complex vendor contract processes, and guides staff on applicable policies. The role is a full-time career appointment, exempt from overtime pay, and represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes. It is eligible for a telework schedule, with onsite attendance determined by the supervisor based on operational needs. When onsite, work is performed at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, California. Employees on a telework schedule must reside within 150 miles of the Lab. Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States at hire; visa sponsorship is unavailable. The position is not eligible for relocation assistance and is subject to a background check.

Requirements

Administrator: Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent knowledge or training) in Business, Communications, or a related field, and at least 5 years of progressively responsible experience supporting high-level executives in a professional, academic, or research environment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Senior Administrator: Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent knowledge or training) in Business, Communications, or a related field, and at least 8 years of progressively responsible experience supporting high-level executives in a professional, academic, or research environment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience providing high-level administrative support, including email correspondence, calendar management, scheduling, meeting planning, document management, travel coordination, expense reports, project coordination, data management, report generation, and use of complex computerized systems in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency with prominent cloud-based software platforms and applications, including Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, and Zoom video conferencing.
Ability to learn new applications, platforms, and online content management systems.
Experience interpreting applicable institutional policies and procedures in administrative areas such as travel, procurement, property management, and space management.
Analytical skills, including the ability to identify issues proactively, problem-solve, develop creative solutions, and recommend alternatives.
Strong organizational skills, including managing competing priorities, meeting deadlines, tracking multiple projects, taking initiative, and adapting to changing priorities.
Commitment to high-quality customer service and ability to build and maintain effective professional relationships at all levels and across multifunctional teams.
Excellent written communication skills and a history of producing professional, error-free emails, documents, reports, and presentations.
Interpersonal skills, including professionalism, diplomacy, discretion, and confidentiality when interacting with personnel at all organizational levels, internally and externally.
Senior Administrator: Experience managing complex calendar arrangements and domestic and international travel for senior leaders.
Senior Administrator: Experience providing policy guidance and interfacing with high-level external and institutional officials.
Senior Administrator: Experience designing and implementing tracking systems, work processes, and improvements to existing systems.
Must be eligible to work in the U.S. at the time of hire; visa sponsorship is not available.
Employees working a telework schedule must reside within 150 miles of Berkeley Lab.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree (or equivalent knowledge or training) in Business, Communications, or a related field.
Experience with Berkeley Lab, UC, DOE, and/or local, state, and federal policies, procedures, and regulations relating to administrative responsibilities such as procurement, events, travel, timekeeping, and financial management.
Experience with Berkeley Lab systems and tools, including LETS, eSRA, FMS, TREX, RezDesk, and e-biz.

Responsibilities

Serve as the central operational point of contact for the CSPO, SPO team members, and client groups.
Coordinate calendars and schedule meetings, advisory boards, demo days, and conferences for the CSPO, SPO team, and Lab stakeholders.
Provide travel assistance and onboarding support, lead property inventories, and serve as timekeeper.
Assist the CSPO with budget maintenance and tracking, working with finance office representatives.
Support procurement in compliance with Lab, UC, DOE, and federal policies.
Partner with SPO leaders to manage vendor contract processes, approvals, purchase orders, requisitions, and invoices.
Update SPO team intranet and external internet sites.
Maintain dashboards and prepare standard reports using routine Lab-system data and standardized templates.
Prepare requested reports and metrics, including time-sensitive ad hoc reports and data calls from DOE, UC, and other sponsors.
Create, update, and maintain online records and archives in SPO and Lab databases.
Maintain project tracking tools for projects, action items, deadlines, and deliverables.
Assist and train staff in tracking-system use and maintenance, and troubleshoot and resolve issues.
Manage office space-related needs, including telephones, IT and digital needs, copier maintenance and repairs, water delivery, transportation, mail, and facilities or custodial work requests.
For the Senior Administrator level, act as a lead operational liaison for the CSPO and Directorate partners.
For the Senior Administrator level, establish customer service standards, advise leadership on complex administrative challenges, and independently resolve non-routine administrative operational issues.
For the Senior Administrator level, establish training protocols and administrative workflows to improve operational efficiency.
For the Senior Administrator level, design, establish, and implement tracking frameworks and digital workflows across multifunctional SPO teams.
For the Senior Administrator level, direct complex procurement activities and authorize large-contract purchase orders and vendor agreements.
For the Senior Administrator level, establish purchasing compliance strategies across institutional, UC, DOE, and federal frameworks.
For the Senior Administrator level, oversee complex vendor contract processes, including budget tracking to resolve complex procurement or subcontract compliance exceptions.
For the Senior Administrator level, guide staff on adherence to institutional, UC, DOE, and federal policies.