Business Administrator III

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 has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence.

The Component Engineering, Technology & Assurance Office (1140) is seeking a motivated and experienced Business Administrator III. This position is well suited for an individual who thrives balancing multiple priorities and excels in a fast-paced environment. 

The ideal candidate will have previously demonstrated a strong sense of collaborative, team player philosophy, knowledge of applicable Laboratory policies and procedures, as well as excellent teaming and communication skills, professionalism, a strong work ethic, a process improvement mindset, and the ability to provide excellent customer service.  As a member of the 7012 Component Engineering, Technology & Assurance Business Team, you report to the Section Business Manager while supporting the section’s management in all aspects of business and administrative duties. 

Tasks Include but not limited to: 

• Assist the Section Business Manager with a variety of activities including budget planning and financial analysis, reporting, rewards and recognition, WAM creations, various human resources activities, workforce analysis, facilities, safety, and property management.

• Preparing or coordinating monthly and/or quarterly scheduled and ad-hoc financial analyses, reports and data as requested by management for strategic planning, performance reporting, and forecasting.

• Prepare Service Department Planning Packages and understand the multiple factors that impact Service Department rates and Project Life Cycle (PLC).

• Analyze Service Department project base, productive/non-productive work, workforce needs and maintain Service Department Work in Process (WIP) orders. 

• Provide budgeting and financial support to multiple section staff for proposals.

• Present Service Department financials and rate details to upper management.  

• Work closely with MAM’s, CAM’s, and Project Lead’s to identify project needs and impacts to our Service Department and the PLC rates. 

• Support the section’s Business Manager on requisitions (Pos and Personnel), promotions, Market target Point (MTP) Discussions, Annual Salary Review (ASR). 

• Lead NASA and JPL awards administration for the Section. 

• Serve as Point of Contact and Subject Matter Expert for Workday, on-/off-boarding, facilities, and safety

• Coordinate and prepare monthly and quarterly reporting activities for Section and Division.
• Collaborate with customers to achieve business objectives and increase the efficiency of the organization, as well as serve as a liaison on a broad range of business-related issues. 
• Assist in developing, coordinating, and improving procedures within the organization to meet JPL’s administrative and business requirements. 
• Serving as backup to the Section Business Manager for specified functions.

Qualifications: 

• Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Finance, Accounting or related discipline 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
• Board understanding and experience of JPL’s budgeting and reporting tools including the JPL Institutional Budgeting Tool (IBT), Work Force Tool/Anaplan (WFT), Standard Financial Reporting (SFR) and Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition (OBIEE). d

• Understanding and experience of the following: use of Workday, human resources, budgeting, financial analysis, reporting, workforce planning, safety, property, and facility management. 
• Ability to present sophisticated findings in a clear, concise manner using graphics, tables and high-level summarization – both verbally and in writing. 
• Must have advanced skills in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, etc.). 
• Broad understanding and wide application of advanced principles, theories, concepts and techniques in Business Administration, Financial Planning, Workforce Administration, and Safety and Facility Management. 
• Self-starter with consistent record to plan, prioritize, multi-task, complete assignments, and resolve highly sophisticated issues independently and in a team environment. 
• A successful history of establishing trust with customers and working as a strong, collaborative business leader with all levels of personnel; both business and technical. 
• Ability to use tact and discretion when working with critical or confidential data. 
• Strong professional characteristics: diligent, trustworthy, responsible, hardworking, and intellectually curious.  The ideal candidate takes initiative and ownership of work and possesses an improvement mentality.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully under pressure on multiple tasks, meet time commitments and deliver high-quality work products.
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills, integrity and customer service.

Preferred Skills:    

• Broad administrative experience in the areas of financial analysis, budgeting, cost analysis, asset management, workforce planning, and human resources.
• Proven ability to navigate changing project scenarios and project life cycle cost.
• Experience with ORACLE financials and requisition modules, as well as applications including Standard Financial Reporting (SFR), Data Extractor, IBT, OBIEE Analytics, Power BI, and Workday.
• Knowledge of organizational operations, applicable JPL and NASA policies and procedures, and government regulations

JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date.

For further benefits information click Benefits and Perks

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training.

The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California.

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.

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The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. 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 of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here.