Leadership Support Specialist

Job Family:

Operational Effectiveness (ESA)

Travel Required:

Up to 10%

Clearance Required:

Active Secret

What You Will Do:

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is looking for an Leadership Support Specialist to work in a high-paced environment with an office known for its high caliber of work. In this role you’ll work directly with the agency CIO in support of the following tasks:

• Executive & Administrative Support: Serve as the primary executive support lead for the CIO and IT Director by managing complex calendars and priorities, coordinating executive engagements, preparing correspondence and meeting materials, and proactively anticipating and driving follow-through on leadership actions and strategic objectives.

• Executive Briefings & Strategic Communications: Lead the development and delivery of executive presentations, briefings, and strategic communications by synthesizing input from functional leads and subject-matter experts, managing review and approval processes, and ensuring the accuracy, consistency, and quality of leadership-facing deliverables.

• Event Coordination: Plan, coordinate, and execute IT Directorate (ITD)-wide meetings, leadership events, and knowledge-sharing initiatives by managing stakeholder inputs, presentations, logistics, schedules, communications, and preparation activities to ensure effective engagement and successful delivery of organizational objectives.

• Knowledge Management & Information Organization: Manage and enhance ITD knowledge management resources by maintaining SharePoint sites, operational documentation, templates, and reference materials, while improving information accessibility, usability, and continuity to support effective collaboration and organizational knowledge sharing.

• IT Initiatives & Stakeholder Coordination: Coordinate and support IT modernization initiatives by managing stakeholder engagement, project communications, milestones, dependencies, risks, and change management activities, while providing leadership with timely status updates and decision-support materials.

• Process Improvement & Automation: Drive continuous process improvement by developing and implementing streamlined workflows, automation solutions, and standardized tools and templates, leveraging Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Jira, and other approved technologies to enhance operational efficiency and briefing production.

• Additional Responsibilities: Provide responsive executive and operational support by managing ad hoc leadership requests, coordinating cross-functional inquiries and special projects, and advancing emerging initiatives and mission-critical priorities across the organization.

What You Will Need:

• An ACTIVE and MAINTAINED "SECRET" Federal or DoD security clearance
• High school diploma
• FIVE (5) or more years of administrative support experience. Experience should include:
  • Progressive responsibility in organizing reports, facilitating virtual collaboration (MS Teams, Zoom, SharePoint, etc.)
  • Providing assistance in tracking contract deliverables and organizing meetings
  • Taking notes or minutes
  • Providing administrative assistance to all members of a technical team as required
  • Prior experience supporting executive-level personnel
  • Bachelor's degree can be used in lieu of THREE (3) years of experience
• THREE (3) or more years creating, compiling, and editing computer-generated documentation including technical text and graphics
• Ability to work in Arlington, VA 5 days/week

What Would Be Nice To Have:

• Bachelor’s degree with TWO (2) or more years of administrative support experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Power BI, Excel, and basic coding/scripting (e.g., PowerShell, VBA, Power Automate, or Python) to develop dashboards, automate recurring administrative processes, analyze operational data, and produce reports that support executive decision-making and organizational efficiency.

The annual salary range for this position is $74,000.00-$124,000.00. Compensation decisions depend on a wide range of factors, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, security clearances, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.

What We Offer:

Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.

Benefits include:

• Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance

• Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays

• Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus

• Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance

• 401(k) Retirement Plan

• Basic Life & Supplemental Life

• Health Savings Account, Dental/Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts

• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability

• Student Loan PayDown

• Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities

• Skills Development & Certifications

• Employee Referral Program

• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach

• Emergency Back-Up Childcare Program

• Mobility Stipend

About Guidehouse

Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer–Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.

Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

If you have visited our website for information about employment opportunities, or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Guidehouse Recruiting at 1-571-633-1711 or via email at [email protected]. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodation.

All communication regarding recruitment for a Guidehouse position will be sent from Guidehouse email domains including @guidehouse.com or [email protected].  Correspondence received by an applicant from any other domain should be considered unauthorized and will not be honored by Guidehouse.  Note that Guidehouse will never charge a fee or require a money transfer at any stage of the recruitment process and does not collect fees from educational institutions for participation in a recruitment event. Never provide your banking information to a third party purporting to need that information to proceed in the hiring process.

If any person or organization demands money related to a job opportunity with Guidehouse, please report the matter to Guidehouse’s Ethics Hotline. If you want to check the validity of correspondence you have received, please contact [email protected]. Guidehouse is not responsible for losses incurred (monetary or otherwise) from an applicant’s dealings with unauthorized third parties.

Guidehouse does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Guidehouse and Guidehouse will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.