Business Analyst

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.

Responsibilities:

JPL’s Communication, Legislative Affairs & Academic Engagement Division (55x) is seeking an experienced and self-motivated Business Analyst II. This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of an organization that connects the groundbreaking science, engineering, and exploration achievements of JPL with audiences around the world through strategic communications, storytelling, digital engagement, media relations, and public outreach. This role requires a strong commitment to service excellence, organizational precision, and operational flexibility within a fast-paced, high-volume, and dynamic organization. 

As a member of 7550 Communications, Legislative Affairs & Academic Engagement Business Administration Team, you will report to the Division Business Manager. 

• Assisting the Business Manager with a variety of activities including budget development and financial planning, analysis, and reporting oversight, workforce analysis.
• Partner directly with the mission communications manager and communications leads to scope new efforts, plan existing work, and re-phase efforts as needed.
• Proactively track and monitor all NASA-funded task plans supporting communications work, maintaining a current view of scope, status, and key dates.
• Develop budget forecasts, monitor funding levels against forecasts, and flag task plan risks early, including approaching expiration, funds exhaustion, and burn-rate variances.
• Prepare executive summaries and reports on current task plans, funding levels, and other relevant metrics for communications leadership and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate with contracts, pricing, project resource analysts, and others on lab and at HQ to resolve task plan issues expeditiously.
• Develop automated reports, dashboards, and business metrics using advanced query tools and multiple data sources.
• Exercise sound judgement and discretion in evaluating solutions to business challenges.
• Perform ad hoc duties as assigned.

Required Skills:

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related discipline with a minimum of 3 years of related experience; Master’s degree in similar disciplines with a minimum of 1 years of related experience.
• Wide-ranging experience and sophisticated knowledge in one or more of the following: budgeting, financial analysis, reporting and workforce planning.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills able to resolve highly complex issues independently.
• Ability to present complex findings in a clear, concise manner using graphics, tables and high-level summarization – both verbally and in writing.
• 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.
• A successful history of establishing trust with customers and working as a strong, collaborative business partner.
• Ability to use tact and discretion when working with critical or confidential data.
• Strong professional characteristics: trustworthy, responsible, hardworking, intellectually curious individual who takes initiative and ownership of work.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and in a team environment, and be able to optimally lead teams of both business and technical groups.
• Proven track record to plan, prioritize, multi-task and complete assignments with minimal supervision.
• Excellent customer service, organizational, interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.

• Broad experience in the use of budgeting and reporting tools including Institutional Budgeting Tool (IBT), PowerBI, Discoverer, COPA, OBIEE Analytics, Workdayetc.
• Solid understanding of direct project support.

Note: As a temporary position, this assignment may last up to 36 months in duration with approvals based on 6 to 12-month assignments. However, please note that you are not under any employment contract and your temporary employment status can be terminated at any time, with or without notice.

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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Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

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.