Management Support Professional

About this position

Within the Electromagnetics & Military Operations (EMO) division, our experts develop innovative technological solutions and knowledge for the defence and security domain. In an environment where technology, operational deployment, and societal security come together, we support our clients in addressing complex challenges and developments.

As a Management Support Professional, you will be an important link within the division. You will support the management of the Electromagnetic Signatures & Propagation (ESP) department. Depending on the final scope of the role, your support may also extend to one of the other departments within the Electromagnetics & Military Operations division. This means you may work for one or multiple departments and collaborate closely with managers, employees, and fellow Management Support colleagues.

You ensure that calendars, appointments, information, and actions are seamlessly aligned. You stay informed about what is happening, think ahead, and identify what is needed. In doing so, you enable managers to focus on their people, the content of their work, and the objectives of their department. This requires someone who can maintain oversight, anticipate needs, and understands that excellent support goes beyond simply organising tasks.

You will join a dynamic, technically focused, and internationally oriented environment. You do not need to be a technical specialist yourself. However, you are curious about the work carried out within the departments and enjoy working with experts, managers, project teams, and clients within the defence and security domain.

What will be your role?

What will you do?

Your work will be varied, and no two days are the same. You will support one or more managers while also serving as an approachable point of contact for employees within the department(s). You maintain overview, bring structure, and switch easily between planned activities and unexpected requests. The role requires independence, flexibility, and a strong sense of priorities. You are comfortable dealing with multiple topics and stakeholders and can act professionally and carefully in an environment where confidential and sensitive information is handled.

Together with your colleagues in Management Support, you will ensure continuity and quality in the support provided. You not only focus on what needs to be done today but also look ahead and identify opportunities to improve and streamline processes.

Your responsibilities include:

• Managing and coordinating complex calendars and mailboxes, independently setting priorities and planning ahead;
• Organising and preparing management meetings, department meetings, strategy sessions, workshops, and other events;
• Preparing and structuring meetings, recording decisions, and monitoring actions and follow-up items;
• Acting as an organisational point of contact for managers, employees, and internal and external stakeholders;
• Supporting employee onboarding and offboarding processes and contributing to a smooth start for new colleagues;
• Arranging practical, facility-related, and organisational matters for the department(s);
• Performing and coordinating administrative and organisational tasks such as orders, requests, and purchase orders;
• Supporting the organisation of business travel and events;
• Maintaining and updating information via platforms such as SharePoint and Microsoft Teams;
• Supporting division-wide activities and projects and coordinating with other organisational units within TNO when required;
• Collaborating with other Management Support Professionals to ensure continuity of support;
• Identifying bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement and actively contributing to the further professionalisation of Management Support;
• Handling confidential, commercially sensitive, and where applicable classified information with care and integrity.

The Electromagnetics & Military Operations division at a glance

Within Electromagnetics & Military Operations, professionals from different disciplines work together on technological and operational challenges within the defence and security domain.

Our professionals combine in-depth technological expertise with knowledge of military operations and the environments in which new technologies must ultimately operate. We develop solutions and applications in areas such as electromagnetic technologies, military operations, and support for operational decision-making.

The environment is professional, technical, and internationally oriented. You will work with experts, managers, project teams, and clients who address challenges where innovation, security, and societal relevance come together.

As a Management Support Professional, you are not expected to be a technical specialist. However, you have an interest in working within a complex technical environment and are curious about the activities taking place within the division. This enables you to increasingly anticipate the needs of managers and teams.

What we expect from you

What we expect from you

You are a proactive and professional support specialist who can easily switch between different tasks, managers, and stakeholders. You maintain oversight, even when schedules are full and priorities change. Rather than waiting to be told what to do, you proactively identify what is needed and take action.

Colleagues find it easy to approach you. You are service-oriented and genuinely interested in helping others, while keeping organisational priorities and progress firmly in mind. You are organisationally aware, careful, and discreet. You understand that working within the defence and security domain requires integrity and a strong sense of responsibility.

In addition, you bring:

• A completed MBO level 4 qualification, preferably in management support, office management, or a related field;
• Several years of relevant experience as a Management Support Professional, Management Assistant, Executive Secretary, Personal Assistant, or in a comparable support role;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in Dutch and a good command of English;
• Experience with Microsoft 365 applications, including Outlook, Teams, Word, and SharePoint;
• The ability to work independently, maintain overview, and set priorities effectively;
• A proactive, flexible, and service-oriented attitude, combined with the confidence to set boundaries and discuss priorities when necessary;
• Strong communication skills, organisational awareness, and the ability to work effectively with colleagues at different levels of the organisation;
• A careful and integrity-driven approach to work, including the ability to handle confidential information appropriately;
• Willingness to occasionally travel to different TNO locations for meetings or events.

What you'll get in return

Challenging and varied work with a real impact. And plenty of opportunities as, at TNO, you are in charge of shaping your career. We offer a gross monthly salary between € 2.635 and € 4.093 (based on your knowledge and experience), 8% holiday pay, a 13^th month bonus of 8.33% and a flex budget (5.58% + € 180). In addition, you will be given every opportunity to develop yourself.

TNO offers optional employee benefits, enabling you to tailor your benefits package to match your personal situation. You may also expect:

• An extremely professional, innovative working environment where colleagues are leading experts in their field.
• The opportunity to attend courses, workshops and conferences, and to receive training and coaching based on your needs.
• 33 days annual leave plus a flexible holiday that can be used on a cultural, religious, or otherwise important day of your choosing (on a full-time basis).
• An employer working towards a respectful, inclusive, and equitable work environment where every employee can flourish, with various initiatives such as Jong TNO, numerous expertise based guilds, Rainbow Community and Round Tables on diverse inclusion topics.
• We offer a comprehensive and flexible mobility plan that also includes full compensation for public transportation for commuting and business travel.
• Great social events with your team and other TNO colleagues. That’s how you will get to know a lot of people really quickly.
• Flexible working hours, the possibility to work parttime (32 or 36 hours) and the possibility of working from home.
• A good pension scheme.

Read more about tailoring your benefits package.

TNO as an employer

Our people are at the heart of TNO. Their curiosity, expertise and entrepreneurial mindset make it possible to deliver high-impact research and innovations that contribute to society’s sustainable wellbeing and prosperity. That is why we invest in an inspiring and inclusive working environment where colleagues can excel, have autonomy and continue to grow.

Your talent and ambition have every opportunity to flourish at TNO. You work with experts (both within and beyond TNO), have access to advanced technology and the freedom to explore, experiment and innovate. Our strength lies in independence, reliability and collaboration. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. By working with businesses and government, and by connecting different perspectives, we strengthen our innovative capability and create responsible, meaningful results.

At TNO, we believe this is our time to help society, government and business move forward faster. Together with driven colleagues, you turn knowledge into concrete innovations or ventures that truly make a difference by combining the power of science and entrepreneurship. And in doing so, you make your mark on our time.

The selection process

Please apply before the 20th October. The selection process comprises two interview rounds. In a final meeting we will discuss the terms of employment and your tailored benefits package. We aim to finalize the entire process within four weeks.

The selection process may include an online assessment and a reference check.
A certificate of Conduct (VOG) is required before starting a new job at TNO.

As you will be working for clients in the domain of defence and security, a Certificate of No Objection issued by AIVD (the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service) is mandatory. This means you will have to undergo a security screening. Read more about security screening.