Mission Area Operations Specialist

About the Role

We are seeking a highly organized, collaborative, and strategic Mission Area Operations Specialist to join the Civil Space Flight Mission Area (CSFMA) Front Office. Reporting directly to the Mission Area Executive (MAE), this position serves as the operational integrator for the Front Office, helping Mission Area leadership maintain situational awareness, coordinate organizational priorities, and execute strategic initiatives across the Mission Area.

Working closely with the Mission Area Executive, Deputy Mission Area Executive, Program Area Manager, Business & Operations Manager, and Executive Assistant, you will help ensure the Mission Area operates with discipline, alignment, and transparency. While this position does not have direct supervisory authority, it exercises significant influence through coordination, collaboration, and organizational leadership.

Responsibilities

• Executive Leadership Support
  • Serve as a trusted operational partner to the Mission Area Executive and Deputy Mission Area Executive by maintaining awareness of Mission Area priorities, organizational activities, and emerging issues.
  • Anticipate leadership information needs and proactively identify issues, opportunities, risks, and decisions requiring executive attention.
  • Develop executive presentations, white papers, briefing materials, talking points, correspondence, and other decision-support products for senior leadership.
  • Serve as the Mission Area focal point for executive reporting by developing, coordinating, and maintaining recurring status briefings, dashboards, and leadership reporting products that integrate program, business, workforce, and operational information into a comprehensive Mission Area view.
• Organizational Integration
  • Coordinate implementation of Mission Area Executive decisions, ensuring actions are communicated, assigned, tracked, and completed across the organization.
  • Maintain situational awareness across the Mission Area by integrating information from Program Management, Business and Operations, workforce planning, functional organizations, and strategic initiatives into a cohesive operational picture.
  • Coordinate Mission Area responses to Laboratory, Sector, and sponsor taskings, ensuring high-quality, integrated responses that accurately reflect Mission Area priorities.
  • Partner across APL organizations—including Human Resources, Communications, Security, Facilities, Information Technology, Finance & Administration, and other Mission Areas—to coordinate activities that support Mission Area objectives.
• Governance and Strategic Execution
  • Coordinate the Mission Area's governance processes, including monthly program management reviews, program management council, strategic planning activities, organizational assessments, and executive reviews.
  • Monitor progress on strategic initiatives and organizational commitments, identifying dependencies, execution risks, and opportunities for improved coordination.
  • Track executive action items and organizational commitments to ensure timely completion and accountability.
  • Develop and recommend improvements to Mission Area operating procedures, governance processes, and organizational practices that improve effectiveness and operational efficiency.
• Organizational Communications and Engagement
  • Coordinate Mission Area communications, executive messaging, organizational announcements, and information flow to promote alignment across the organization.
  • Support Mission Area workforce engagement activities, organizational meetings, recognition events, and strategic communications.
  • Coordinate executive visits, sponsor engagements, distinguished visitor activities, and other high-visibility Mission Area events in partnership with the Executive Assistant and other Front Office staff.
  • Coordinate special projects and perform other duties as assigned by Mission Area leadership.

Qualifications

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

• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent. Additional education or professional certifications are desirable but not required.
• Have eight or more years of progressively responsible experience supporting executive leadership, organizational operations, business operations, executive administration, or similar leadership support functions.
• Demonstrate exceptional organizational judgment and the ability to synthesize information from multiple organizations into concise recommendations and executive products.
• Have experience preparing executive briefings, presentations, reports, and decision-support materials.
• Demonstrate outstanding written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with senior leaders and stakeholders.
• Have exceptional organizational skills and the ability to independently manage multiple complex priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrate sound judgment, professionalism, discretion, and the ability to handle sensitive or confidential information.
• Are skilled at building collaborative relationships and influencing outcomes across organizations without direct authority.
• Are proficient with Microsoft Office applications, including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook, and Microsoft Teams.
• Are able to obtain a Secret level security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications

You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Have experience supporting senior executives within a research, engineering, government, or University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) environment.
• Have experience coordinating executive governance processes, organizational strategy, or institutional initiatives.
• Have experience developing executive dashboards, organizational metrics, and leadership reporting.
• Have experience supporting organizational transformation, change management, or strategic planning efforts.
• Are knowledgeable of APL practices, procedures, business systems, and organizational processes.
• Have familiarity with NASA, civil space programs, or other U.S. Government sponsor organizations.

About Us

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.

Pay

Minimum Rate $62,900 Annually

Maximum Rate $180,300 Annually

Benefits

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

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.