Senior Planning Support Specialist

Description

The Senior Planning Support Specialist drives day-to-day execution of MARFORPAC G-5 (Plans) deliberate planning support and the daily planning battle rhythm. The role owns delivery of assigned planning support outputs-coordination, staffing, and product production-so leaders receive on-time, decision-ready materials that enable execution across the Joint Planning and Execution Community (JPEC). This role applies established templates/standards and ensures planning actions move from tasking to closure.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead assigned planning support efforts across operational, functional, campaign, and posture planning cycles to meet directed timelines

• Synchronize inputs across USINDOPACOM, Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC), MARFORPAC staff divisions, adjacent components/sub-unified commands, and Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEFs)

• Manage planning tasks, suspense dates, staffing actions, decision points, and follow-through to reduce delays and rework

• Run Operational Planning Team (OPT) and working group support (prep, read-aheads, notes/actions, closeout)

• Develop briefing decks, information papers, and planning documents for senior leader review/approval

• Edit and format products to ensure clarity, consistency, and executive-ready quality using established standards

• Maintain version control and auditable staffing/coordination records across iterations

• Coordinate program-based planning tasks to align assumptions, inputs, and outputs across organizations

• Support posture initiative planning activities by organizing inputs, staffing actions, and implementation tracking (as directed)

• Coach junior staff on battle rhythm discipline, staffing hygiene, and product formatting to improve throughput

Qualifications

• Bachelors and ten (10) years or more of related experience; Masters and eight (8) years or more experience ; PhD or JD and five (5) years or more experience.

• Career level school completion (e.g. Expeditionary Warfare School or other service equivalents)

• Intermediate Level Schools (ILS) completion (e.g. Marine Corps Command and Staff College or other service equivalents)

• 7+ years ' experience supporting military, joint, or federal civilian planning (meetings/working groups, staff products for senior leaders)

• Demonstrated proficiency producing/editing briefing decks, information papers, and formal planning documents

• Demonstrated education and application of the Marine Corps Planning Process (MCPP) and the Joint Planning Process (JPP).

• Familiarity with JPEC processes and joint planning forums (e.g., OPTs, joint planning groups)

• Ability to comply with government workplace requirements and obtain/maintain any required access/eligibility

Strongly Preferred

• Intermediate or top-level operational planning education (e.g., JAWS/SAMS/MAWS/SAASS/Service and Joint War Colleges or Fellowships

• Senior PME (e.g., CGSC/ILE, USMC CSC, Naval/War College equivalents)

• Prior experience with USINDOPACOM, MARFORPAC, HQMC, a combatant command, Service component, or MEF HQ

• Doctoral degree in a relevant field

Skills & Competencies

• Deep functional expertise in deliberate planning support and posture planning integration

• Advanced analytic framing and problem-solving under ambiguity

• Expert-level writing/editing and product coherence management

• Influence without authority; credible advisory presence with senior stakeholders

• Standards-setting, coaching, and quality assurance mindset

Autonomy, Decision Authority & Accountability

• Owns technical/functional standards and review thresholds for planning-support quality (government leads retain final approval authority)

• Decides when to elevate quality risks and require additional review cycles for high-visibility products

• Accountable for reducing defects, preventing misalignment with guidance, and improving first-pass acceptance of key deliverables

Target salary range: $120,001 - $160,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.

REQNUMBER: 2610981

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