Business Operations Administrator III

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 96,928 - 151,008; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Learning opportunities

Flexible schedule

Job summary

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California seeks a seasoned Business Administrator III to support the Financial and Business Operations Directorate. The role partners with division leadership to drive strategic budgeting, workforce planning, and process improvements while delivering data-driven insights.

You will collaborate with division managers, analyze financials, HR operations, and facilities planning, and help ensure compliance with lab policies and performance goals.

Qualifications

• Experience in financial and workforce planning and analysis.
• Ability to lead teams of business and technical personnel.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with budgeting and reporting tools (IBT, PowerBI, OBIEE, SFR).
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a member of the Directorate Business Leadership Team, leading implementation of business process changes.
• Support the Directorate Business Manager across workforce planning, financial management, HR administration, acquisitions, facilities planning, EH&S, and asset management.
• Develop, execute, and monitor organizational budgets with planning, forecasting, financial reporting, and cost analysis.
• Partner with staff to develop staffing plans and workforce forecasts.
• Develop and continuously improve business processes aligned with laboratory policies.
• Lead day-to-day administrative activities and advise on business operations.
• Conduct ad-hoc analyses to support leadership decisions.

Skills

Financial planning

Workforce planning

Data analysis

PowerBI

OBIEE

Budgeting tools

MS Office

SharePoint

Communication

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

PhD

Tools

PowerBI

OBIEE

SFR

IBT

MS Office

SharePoint

Job description

New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL.

Located in Pasadena, California, JPL offers a campus‑like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.

Responsibilities

JPL’s Financial and Business Administration Division (7200) is seeking an experienced and motivated Business Administrator III to support the Financial and Business Operations Directorate (2000). This role requires a highly collaborative professional who thrives in a fast‑paced environment, balances multiple priorities, and is passionate about delivering exceptional business support.

As a member of the Directorate Business Leadership Team, you will provide strategic, data‑driven insights to support informed business decisions, identify opportunities to improve business processes and operational efficiency, and contribute to the successful execution of a broad range of business and administrative responsibilities. You will partner closely with Division Business Managers, Division Managers, and Directorate leadership to support strategic initiatives and operational excellence.

• Serve as an integral member of the Directorate Business Leadership Team, contributing to strategic business decisions, identifying process improvement opportunities, standardizing business tools and products, and leading implementation of business process changes.
• Support the Directorate Business Manager across a broad range of business operations, including workforce planning and analysis, financial management, human resources administration, acquisitions, facilities planning, environmental health and safety, and asset management.
• Assist in developing, executing, and monitoring organizational budgets, through planning, forecasting, financial reporting, monthly cost analysis, and account reconciliation.
• Partner with Financial and Business staff to develop staffing plans, analyze workforce trends, prepare workforce forecasts, and support strategic workforce planning.
• Develop, coordinate, and continuously improve business processes and administrative procedures to ensure compliance with Laboratory policies and enhance operational efficiency.
• Serve as a business operations lead for assigned organizations, coordinating day‑to‑day administrative activities and providing guidance on business operations while supporting special projects and other assignments as needed.
• Conduct ad‑hoc business, financial, and workforce analyses to support Directorate leadership in making informed, data‑driven decisions.

Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 6 years of related experience; Master’s degree in similar disciplines with a minimum of 4 years of related experience; or PhD in similar disciplines with a minimum of 2 years related experience.
• Wide‑ranging experience and advanced knowledge in one or more of the following areas: financial and workforce planning and analysis, service center administration, business processes and workflows and business analytics.
• Self‑motivated professional with the ability to work independently and in a team; able to effectively lead teams of both business and technical personnel.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to resolve highly complex issues independently.
• Ability to present findings and recommendations in a clear, concise manner using graphics, tables, and high‑level summarization.
• A successful history of establishing trust with customers and working as a strong, collaborative business partner. Must exercise tact and discretion when working with sensitive or confidential data.
• Experience in the use of budgeting and reporting tools including the JPL Institutional Budgeting Tool (IBT), PowerBI, Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition (OBIEE), Standard Financial Reporting (SFR) or similar business tools/applications.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities, balance multiple deadlines, and deliver high‑quality work with minimal supervision.
• Excellent customer service, organizational, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Complete knowledge of applicable Laboratory and/or NASA policies and procedures and government regulations, and exposure to JPL’s Institutional business processes and architecture.
• Advanced skills in MS Office Applications (M365) and SharePoint.

Benefits

JPL offers a range of benefits including health, dental, vision, well‑being, retirement plans, paid time off, learning opportunities, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave, and more. Benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

Compensation

The typical full‑time equivalent annual hiring range for this position in Pasadena, California is $96,928–$151,008.

Equal Opportunity Employer

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law.

In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

EEO is the Law.

EEO is the Law Supplement.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.

Citizenship & Eligibility

Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.