Sr. Advisor (Center of Excellence)

We are seeking a Sr. Advisor who will serve as a strategic, scientific, and operational advisor to senior leadership within a center of excellence. This role provides expert guidance on policy alignment, budget and program planning, and execution of mission critical initiatives. The Senior Advisor evaluates complex technical and organizational issues to support evidence-based decision making and ensure that research activities align with federal missions, stakeholder needs, and national priorities. The position requires deep knowledge of the research environment, federal R&D policies, and the operational constraints unique to the center of excellence.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Mission Alignment

• Advise laboratory leadership on long term strategic direction, research priorities, and programmatic investments.
• Translate federal mission objectives and emerging national needs into actionable research strategies.
• Monitor scientific, technological, and policy trends to identify opportunities and risks affecting current and future programs.

Program & Portfolio Oversight

• Support the planning, coordination, and evaluation of research programs
• Review program proposals, project plans, and performance metrics to ensure scientific rigor, and alignment with sponsor goals.

Stakeholder & Interagency Engagement

• Serve as a liaison with federal agencies, sponsors, advisory boards, and external research partners.
• Represent the laboratory in strategic planning sessions, interagency working groups, and government wide initiatives.
• Build and maintain relationships with academic, industry, and national laboratory partners to support collaborative research.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree, preferably in Business, Finance or a related field required.
• Seven years' experience in management, analysis and/or planning operations in a large complex organization.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience, and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Ph.D.) in a relevant scientific field.
• Ten plus years of experience in research, government R&D programs, federally funded R&D centers, or equivalent environments.
• Demonstrated ability to advise senior executives and provide strategic, evidence-based recommendations.
• Strong understanding of federal research processes.
• Exceptional analytical, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance
• Experience working in or with a federal research laboratory (e.g., DOE National Labs, DoD labs, NIST, NASA centers).
• Knowledge of federal acquisition processes, grant/contract management, or R&D portfolio management.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams or cross agency initiatives.

Additional Details

Classified Title: Sr. Advisor
Role/Level/Range: ATP/04/PG
Starting Salary Range: $51.17 - $89.74 HRLY (Commensurate w/exp.)
Employee group: Casual / On Call
Schedule: M-F. 5hrs
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Hybrid/Homewood Campus
Department name: Center of Excellence
Personnel area: Whiting School of Engineering