RED Program Area Administrator

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

About The Position

The RED Program Area Administrator provides high-impact administrative and operational support to the Research and Exploration Program Areas within the Research and Exploratory Development Mission Area (RED MA). The role supports Program Area Managers, Program Managers, and the Chief Scientist, helping ensure smooth operations for teams pursuing advanced research and innovative technologies. The administrator coordinates people, information, meetings, events, documentation, travel, and administrative processes across the Program Areas. The position also supports security procedures, identifies opportunities to improve operations, collaborates with operations and administrative colleagues, and undertakes special projects as needed. Responsibilities may change over time.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 6 or more years of relevant professional-level experience, or a high school diploma and 10 or more years of relevant professional-level experience.
Highly organized, with the ability to prioritize multiple, often competing responsibilities.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to follow-up and follow-through.
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with sponsors, APL leadership, and APL staff using sound judgment, discretion, diplomacy, and tact.
Demonstrated ability to work independently with only consultative direction.
Ability to work calmly, flexibly, resourcefully, and efficiently in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Ability to independently analyze and summarize processes, procedures, and project-related activities and make recommendations.
Forward-thinking approach, including identifying improvement opportunities, proposing and testing solutions, and implementing appropriate changes.
Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn internal systems; curiosity and willingness to develop new skills as the job demands.
Ability to obtain a Top Secret-level security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to a Secret-level government security clearance investigation and must meet requirements for access to classified information; eligibility requires U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of APL practices, procedures, and services.
Experience supporting program management processes.
Experience working with classified programs, including reviewing and distributing products on internal and external classified systems.

Responsibilities

Lead administrative and operational duties for the Program Areas, including complex calendar management, meeting coordination, preparation and editing of presentations and communications, travel coordination, conference and professional society registration, expense reimbursement, classified and unclassified document preparation, and discretionary budget tracking and allocation.
Coordinate people and information flow among staff, APL leadership, VIPs, and sponsors; obtain presentation information, confirm required clearances, and coordinate logistics with sponsors and their representatives.
Plan and manage the logistics for internal and external meetings, business initiatives, and events, including reserving rooms, setting up audiovisual accessories, advising visitor control and security about external visitors, escorting visitors, taking minutes, and tracking actions.
Prepare, review, and edit documentation, correspondence, and presentations, including reference management, archiving, public-release review, routing, and compliance with security procedures.
Identify and mitigate risk and support the management and execution of organizational security protocols and procedures.
Identify opportunities to contribute to and improve Program Area functions.
Maintain current knowledge of relevant policies, procedures, tools, and resources and serve as a resource to Program Area staff.
Collaborate with Program Operations Managers, Financial Managers, and other operations staff to expedite, streamline, or improve operational support.
Work with administrative staff across the REDD organization to maintain a cohesive team, including backfilling and sharing workload as needed.
Promote a positive and productive work environment.
Independently initiate and conduct special projects and perform other duties as assigned.