Dr. J. Alam IAS joined the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1991 after securing All India 12th Rank and was allotted to Nagaland State Cadre. In the 1990s, he held roles in the administrative landscape by serving in Phek and Mon districts at the sub-divisional level and as Deputy Commissioner of Tuensang District for approximately three years. At the state Government level, Shri Alam has served as Additional Secretary Finance and subsequently as Secretary, overseeing the department of Industries, Commerce & Sericulture.

In 2003, Dr. Alam joined on deputation in the Central Government, serving as the Zonal head in the Directorate General of Foreign Trade for approximately a year. He then served as the Private Secretary to a senior Cabinet Minister in charge of fertilizers, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and steel.

On his return to the state of Nagaland in 2010, Dr. Alam worked as the Home Commissioner as well as the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO). From April 2013 onwards, he served in the Central Government as Joint Secretary in the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Human Resource Development. In this capacity, he oversaw the affairs of Central schools, such as Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), National Council of Educational Research & Training (NCERT) and implementation of Mid-Day Meal Scheme. He also handled the Teacher Education sector including the affairs of the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) among other responsibilities.

Between August 2016 and February 2020, he worked as Joint Secretary and later as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Minority Affairs, focusing on matters related to the socio-economic development of the six religious minority communities in India. During this period, he managed affairs related with Haj pilgrimage which was then newly transferred from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA).

Upon his return to Nagaland in February 2020, Dr. Alam assumed the position of Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister and as Development Commissioner of Nagaland. Since 29th January 2021, Dr. Alam has been serving as the Chief Secretary of Nagaland, actively contributing to the state's governance and development.