Principal Administrative Coordinator

Principal Administrative Coordinator

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.

The Operational Systems Directorate (OSD) leads delivery of PNNL's 10-year, $1.2 billion campus construction portfolio—the single largest construction and modernization effort in the Laboratory's history. OSD oversees operations and facility services, maintenance, and infrastructure planning.

A team of nearly 800 staff comprise OSD, spanning in a wide range of disciplines, including craftspeople, engineers, construction professionals, technicians, scientists, administrators, and specialists. Together, they ensure that PNNL's assets, services, and OSD-led programs are managed and performing safely, securely, reliably, effectively, and efficiently.

The directorate stewards more than $250 million in annual budget authority; managing more than 2.5 million square feet of facility space across two campuses; overseeing approximately 200 regulatory program areas; and executing a multi-million-dollar facility and infrastructure project portfolio.

The Office of the Chief Operating Officer stewards directorate-wide performance management and provides the primary interface with other directorates ctions include directorate operations management, performance assurance and reporting, chief engineer, building code official, readiness, and document management.

The Principal Administrative Coordinator provides high-level administrative support to the OSD COO and to leaders within the Aviation and Campus Planning. This highly skilled role delivers advanced coordination, operational oversight, and strategic administrative support. The coordinator ensures seamless office operations, strengthens program execution, and facilitates high-impact communication and decision-making. The successful candidate operates with substantial independence, sound judgment, and professionalism—often anticipating needs, advancing actions, and driving improvement to enhance organizational effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide senior-level administrative and operational support to the OSD COO, including high-complexity calendar management, executive briefing preparation, and coordination of strategic engagements.
• Serve as a trusted advisor on administrative operations, proactively anticipating needs, identifying gaps, and initiating improvements that support the COO's mission and priorities.
• Coordinate interviews and new-hire onboarding activities—schedule panels, prepare materials, manage candidate and panel communications, and coordinate orientation, access requests, workspace readiness, equipment provisioning, and first-week schedules in partnership with HR/Talent Acquisition and hiring managers.
• Oversee end-to-end travel and expense processes for Aviation and Campus Planning personnel, including itinerary development, expense reporting, corporate card oversight, issue resolution, compliance documentation, and policy guidance.
• Support operational readiness across the 40 Aviation and Campus Planning team members by tracking deadlines, monitoring program requirements, and helping facilitate execution of key operational deliverables.
• Coordinate and document meetings, workshops, site reviews, and cross-organizational discussions, ensuring timely follow-up and accurate recordkeeping.
• Facilitate communication between the COO's office, Aviation Program leadership, Campus Planning teams, OSD divisions, and broader laboratory operational groups.
• Prepare polished executive-level documents, presentations, and communications that support operational clarity and leadership decision-
• Maintain organized and accessible electronic and physical records, including program documents, operational materials, and formal correspondence.
• Ensure administrative workflows, documentation, and processes align with OSD standards and support institutional compliance and safety.
• Coordinate and track formal correspondence including memos, letters, and notifications from draft through approval, signature, distribution, and archiving;
  Correspondence and Commitment Tracking System training completion is required.
• Provide administrative support to other direct reports to the COO, including the Chief Engineer, Document Management staff, and personnel across the Operations Office.
• Act as the point of contact for PNNL…