Chief Operating Officer - National Security Sciences with Security Clearance

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Job description

Requisition Id 13836 Overview: As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has an extraordinary 80-year history of solving the nation's biggest problems. We have a dedicated and creative staff of over 6,000 people! Our vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is to cultivate an environment and practices that foster diversity in ideas and in the people across the organization, as well as to ensure ORNL is recognized as a workplace of choice. These elements are critical for enabling the execution of ORNL's broader mission to accelerate scientific discoveries and their translation into energy, environment, and security solutions for the nation. The National Security Sciences Directorate (NSSD) at ORNL seeks applicants for the Chief Operating Officer (COO). The COO is the senior operations leader within NSSD, holding the authority to represent the ALD on all operational matters. Reporting to the office of NSSD's Associate Laboratory Director (ALD), the COO is responsible for establishing expectations, providing mentoring, and support, and holding line managers accountable for continuous improvement in operational performance including areas such as helping establish and maintain a culture of operational excellence, conduct of operations in a manner consistent with nuclear operations; accountability; project management; configuration management; compliance; security; quality assurance; and environment, safety and health. NSSD conducts R&D to confront some of the nation's most difficult security challenges and adversaries. Our directorate houses S&T leadership in geospatial science and technology, high-performance computing for sensitive national security missions, and cybersecurity and cyber-physical resiliency, data analytics nuclear nonproliferation, and We draw on the Laboratory's exceptional facilities and work closely with leading researchers in other areas at the lab such as nuclear and chemical sciences and engineering, applied materials, advanced manufacturing, biosecurity, transportation, and computing. Our multi-disciplinary research teams are passionate about discovery and innovation as we create science-based solutions to complex security threats that put public safety, national defense, energy infrastructure, and the economy at risk. The NSSD COO ensures that programmatic goals are delivered, while operating the facilities effectively, efficiently, reliably and in full compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and client expectations. They perform a key role in the Contractor Assurance System by ensuring that NSSD and Laboratory performance is understood and that risks are properly identified, effectively managed, and appropriately mitigated. The COO, with the support of the Directorate leadership team, will lead the development and execution of new initiatives to improve operational performance and reliability, facilitate management of operational events, and integrate the Safe Conduct of Research principles into the organizational culture and operations. Major Duties/Responsibilities: Establish and maintain a culture of personal accountability and excellence in conduct of operations; project management; configuration management; security; quality assurance; and environment, safety, and health.
Ensure that work processes and practices follow the "Plan-Execute-Assess-Improve" cycle to assure a focus on mission accomplishment within the terms and conditions of our contract with DOE.
Ensure that work is carried out safely, securely, and in compliance with ORNL policies, standards, and procedures, while incorporating the Safe Conduct of Research principles into daily operations.
Collaborate with NSSD leadership to ensure that the appropriate staff, processes, and metrics are in place for compliant, safe, efficient, and effective programs, resulting in successful completion of research milestones and the mitigation of risks.
Facilitate resolution of operational issues through the ORNL Issues Management process including critiques, extent of condition reviews, corrective action development and the evaluation of their effectiveness.
Serve as an active contributor to ORNL operational improvement initiatives and drive appropriate operational practices across the laboratory, leading a culture of continuous improvement.
In partnership with other directorate COOs, work with ORNL Management System Owners to ensure that ORNL processes and operational practices enable the most efficient and effective support of ORNL R&D missions.
As a member of the ORNL Emergency Response Organization, work with ORNL leadership to respond to major operational events. Ensure effective execution of NSSD's strategy via management of the directorate facilities and instrumentations in partnership with the Division Directors.
Lead NSSD's facility planning.
Participate with NSSD leadership in strategy development and business planning.
Provide oversight for all NSSD's Strategic Partnership Project proposals and ensure success by partnering with the DOE's OakRidge Site Office.
Promote an inclusive and empowering culture, achieve diversity goals and establish a strong diversity culture.
Partner with the Division Directors to establish workforce planning and development and institute robust hiring practices and successful strategic hiring and retention.
Provide directorate-level leadership for the NSSD Educational Outreach Program to attract and recruit a diverse talent pool to advance our missions.
Serve as a delegate for the NSSD ALD in ORNL business and operational processes as directed.
All team members deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering a respectful workplace - in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success. Basic Qualifications: Bachelors degree or higher in a scientific or engineering discipline with at least 12 years of experience in a scientific or R&D related organization.
Experience working at or with major national security organizations within government.
Experience in effectively managing operational and programmatic teams to support cutting-edge R&D.
Demonstrated record of supporting the professional development of staff. Preferred Qualifications: A current DOE security clearance.
Experience with national security sponsors and stakeholders.
Understanding of national security research capabilities housed in othe organizations around the DOE complex and within partner or compeititor organizations.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Well-developed planning, organizational development and business skills
Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.
Increasingly responsible leadership experience with leading and/or managing large and complex projects/ research organizations.
Understanding of DOE and associated agencies. Special Requirements: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program. In addition, due the SCI, you may also be subject to random polygraph testing. Benefits at ORNL: ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain talented people! The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for convenience. Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts. If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired. We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment. If you have trouble applying for a position, please email . ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.

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