Senior Planning Support Specialist (MARFORPAC G-5 Plans)

Makai LLC•Town of Cortlandt, NY

1d•$82,000 - $92,000•Onsite

About The Position

Makai LLC is seeking a skilled Senior Planning Support Specialist that drives day-to-day execution of MARFORPAC G-5 (Plans) deliberate planning support and the daily planning battle rhythm. The role owns delivery of assigned planning support outputs - coordination, staffing, and product production—so leaders receive on-time, decision-ready materials that enable execution across the Joint Planning and Execution Community (JPEC). This role applies established templates/standards and ensures planning actions move from tasking to closure.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent practical experience) in a relevant field
Active DoD TS/SCI clearance.
Career level school completion (e.g. Expeditionary Warfare School or other service equivalents)
Intermediate Level Schools (ILS) completion (e.g. Marine Corps Command and Staff College or other service equivalents)
7+ years’ experience supporting military, joint, or federal civilian planning (meetings/working groups, staff products for senior leaders)
Demonstrated proficiency producing/editing briefing decks, information papers, and formal planning documents
Demonstrated education and application of the Marine Corps Planning Process (MCPP) and the Joint Planning Process (JPP).
Familiarity with JPEC processes and joint planning forums (e.g., OPTs, joint planning groups)
Ability to comply with government workplace requirements and obtain/maintain any required access/eligibility
Operational execution, suspense management, and staffing discipline
Stakeholder coordination in high-tempo, deadline-driven environments
Clear writing and synthesis of complex inputs into decision-ready outputs
Attention to detail, formatting rigor, and version control
Professional judgment on when to elevate risks, conflicts, or late-breaking changes

Nice To Haves

Intermediate Advanced Level Schools (A-ILS) planning education (e.g., JAWS/SAMS/SAW/MAWS/SAASS)
Relevant professional certifications (e.g., PMP)
Prior relevant MOS experience (e.g., USMC 0507/0505/0502/0511 or other service MOS equivalents)
Prior experience working with/alongside USINDOPACOM, MARFORPAC, HQMC, a combatant command, Service component, or MEF HQ

Responsibilities

Lead assigned planning support efforts across operational, functional, campaign, and posture planning cycles to meet directed timelines
Synchronize inputs across USINDOPACOM, Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC), MARFORPAC staff divisions, adjacent components/sub-unified commands, and Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEFs)
Manage planning tasks, suspense dates, staffing actions, decision points, and follow-through to reduce delays and rework
Run Operational Planning Team (OPT) and working group support (prep, read-aheads, notes/actions, closeout)
Develop briefing decks, information papers, and planning documents for senior leader review/approval
Edit and format products to ensure clarity, consistency, and executive-ready quality using established standards
Maintain version control and auditable staffing/coordination records across iterations
Coordinate program-based planning tasks to align assumptions, inputs, and outputs across organizations
Support posture initiative planning activities by organizing inputs, staffing actions, and implementation tracking (as directed)
Coach junior staff on battle rhythm discipline, staffing hygiene, and product formatting to improve throughput