RED Program Area Administrator

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC; Laurel (MD); On-site; USD 37,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is seeking a proactive RED Program Area Administrator to lead a broad range of administrative duties across RED MA. You will support Program Area Managers, coordinate complex logistics, and ensure security procedures are followed.

You will work with sponsors, leadership, and staff, preparing documentation and tracking actions, while promoting a collaborative, proactive team environment in a fast-paced, secure setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree with 6+ years relevant professional-level experience or a High School Diploma with 10+ years relevant professional-level experience.
• Highly organized with ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities.
• Strong written and oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Able to work independently with minimal direction.
• Experience with MS Office and internal systems; quickly learn internal systems.
• Ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance; U.S. citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex calendars and coordinate meetings.
• Prepare and edit presentations and correspondence.
• Coordinate travel, conferences, and memberships; track expenses.
• Interface with sponsors, leadership, and staff; ensure appropriate clearances.
• Plan logistics for meetings and events; manage room locations and AV setup.
• Identify and mitigate risk; support security procedures.
• Collaborate with program operations and finance staff; backfill workload across the REDD organization.
• Promote a positive and productive work environment.

Skills

Organizational skills

Time management

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Judgment and discretion

Independent work

Adaptability

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

High school diploma

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Description

Are you passionate about research and innovation?

Are you passionate about research and innovation? Are you searching for a meaningful career in support of work that provides impactful contributions to space, defense, and other areas of national interest? Would you like join a team that encourages knowledge sharing, continual learning, and personal growth? If so, we're looking for someone like you to join our team at APL.

We are seeking a proactive self-starter to provide high-impact support that ensures the seamless operations of the Research and Exploration Program Areas of the Research and Exploratory Development Mission Area (RED MA). The primary objective of the RED MA is to discover and pioneer innovative breakthrough technologies by way of advanced research. You’ll be a key contributor on a multi-disciplinary team, supporting groundbreaking solutions for complex challenges.

As the RED Program Area Administrator you will

• Lead a broad range of administrative duties and operational tasking across the Program Areas, primarily supporting the Program Area Managers, Program Managers, and Chief Scientist. Administrative duties include, but are not limited to: complex calendar management; meeting coordination; presentation and communication preparation and editing; travel coordination; conference and professional society membership registration; expense reimbursement; classified and unclassified document preparation; and discretionary budget tracking and allocation.
• Lead coordination functions of people (ranging from staff, to APL leadership, to VIPs and sponsors) and information flow through the Program Areas. Interface with sponsors and their representatives directly to collect presentation information, ensure appropriate clearances are received, and coordinate all other logistics.
• Anticipate and plan the rhythm of the Program Area business initiatives; proactively planning, organizing, scheduling, and managing the logistics for internal and external meetings as well as RED Program Area initiatives and events, ensuring their success. Duties include, but are not limited to: securing room locations; setting up audio/visual accessories in meeting rooms; advising visitor control/security of external visitors; escorting visitors; meeting-minute taking; and action tracking.
• Prepare, review, and edit draft documentation, correspondence, and presentations, ensuring editorial excellence, reference management, archiving, review for public release, routing, and adherence to security procedures.
• Seek to identify and mitigate risk, and support the management and execution of security protocols and procedures within the organization.
• Exhibit an innovative and proactive mindset, identifying opportunities to contribute to and improve functions of the Program Areas.
• Maintain up-to-date expertise on policies, procedures, tools, resources, and all other aspects relevant to this role, and be a reliable resource to Program Area staff in these areas.
• Work collaboratively with the Program Operations Managers, Financial Managers, and other operations staff; leveraging appropriate resources to expedite, streamline, or otherwise improve support to Program Area operations.
• Collaborate with other administrative staff to ensure a cohesive administrative team across the REDD organization, to include backfilling and workload sharing, as needed.
• Promote a positive and productive work environment.
• Independently initiate and conduct special projects as required and other duties as assigned.

Note: This job summary and listing of responsibilities is for the purpose of describing the position and its essential functions at time of hire and may change over time.

Qualifications

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Possess a Bachelor Degree and 6+ years of relevant professional-level experience or a High School Diploma and 10+ years of relevant professional-level experience.
• Are highly organized and able to prioritize multiple (often competing) responsibilities.
• Demonstrate strong commitment to detail, follow-up, and follow-through.
• Have excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills; able to interface effectively and professionally with sponsors, APL leadership, and APL staff, consistently exercising sound judgment, discretion, diplomacy, and tact in all exchanges.
• Are high performing with demonstrated ability to work independently with only consultative direction.
• Are comfortable operating in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while remaining calm, flexible, resourceful, and efficient.
• Demonstrate the ability to independently analyze, summarize, and make recommendations on processes, procedures, and project-related activities.
• Are forward-thinking, seeking opportunities to create improvements, propose and test solutions, and implement appropriate changes.
• Are proficient in the MS Office Suite, able to quickly and comfortably learn internal systems, and curious-minded with a desire to continue to grow/develop new skills as the job demands.
• Are able to obtain a Top Secret-level security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a Secret level-government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You’ll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you

• Are knowledgeable of APL practices, procedures, and services.
• Have experience supporting program management processes.
• Have experience working with classified programs, to include review and distribution of products on internal and external classified systems.

About Us

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world‑class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore‑Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact [e-mail].

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign‑on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Minimum Rate

$26.60 Hourly

Maximum Rate

$46.40 Hourly