Group Lead - Mission Alignment
OverviewProtecting U.S. residents and visitors is among our nation’s highest priorities. As adversaries gain access to sophisticated technologies and materials, the threats grow more dynamic and complex—from cyber and nuclear to chemical and biological weapons of mass effect and other forms of terrorism. The PNNL national security mission employs our researchers, tools, and technologies to play a key role in advancing the ability to identify and secure nuclear materials, detect weapons of mass effect, manage nonproliferation treaties, secure our nation's borders, and protect critical infrastructures. PNNL’s scientific discovery and capabilities—rooted in innovative theory, methods, algorithms, and tools—are enabling stronger, more resilient technologies and systems to safeguard national security. Coupled with decades of radiological and nuclear materials expertise, advanced computing and threat analysis capabilities, and a broad fundamental science base, we are identifying and countering emerging threats that have significant impact at home and around the globe.We are seeking a people-focused leader passionate about defining and driving the laboratory’s understanding of, and drivers for, emerging threats and disruptive technologies to serve as the Group Leader for the Mission Alignment (MA) Group. PNNL’s Emerging Threats & Technologies (ETT) Division is creating a new leadership role that provides leadership for senior staff responsible for managing both executive-level sponsor relationships and business capture strategies or providing executive-level technical leadership. The Group Lead (GL) is responsible for growing the people, equipment, facilities, and strategy necessary to increase the alignment between ETT technical capabilities and US Government missions. The GL is a strategic, future-oriented thinker who leads teams in developing growth plans and identifying and removing barriers. The GL establishes high standards, seeks continuous improvement, and upholds a culture of quality while creating the work environment that enables the success of each team member.The Mission Alignment group ensures that ETT division capabilities and sponsor mission needs are appropriately coordinated. The group is composed of senior-level relationship managers, technical advisors, and business developers who identify opportunities for ETT capabilities with sponsors and bring emerging mission challenges to ETT staff. The group works across all ETT’s capability areas to identify and capture emerging programmatic opportunities, coach and mentor ETT staff on strategy and business development, support the development and execution of ETT strategy, and develop strategic new sponsor relationships.The Mission Alignment Group Leader also serves as a core member of the ETT leadership team, helping to guide the growth of the division’s capabilities across PNNL and establishing productive collaborations with other mission areas in the Laboratory. The GL seeks connections across the organization, and both influences and understands the impact of organizational, national, and global changes. The GL must be a diplomatic communicator, able to interpret and disseminate technical and organizational directions up and down the organization.The GL creates a work culture that prizes innovation, entrepreneurship, and flexibility while emphasizing engagement and morale, operational discipline, security, and safety. The GL works to continuously enhance the Division’s reputation and visibility with stakeholders inside and outside the Lab, including expanding the diversity of its funding sources and connections across all of PNNL’s mission areas. As a member of the National Security Directorate’s extended management team, the GL also identifies, solicits and applies overhead and R&D funding and other resources necessary to meet these objectives. Depending on level of experience, the GL may contribute to business and institutional objectives across the National Security Directorate and PNNL more broadly.ResponsibilitiesUses extensive experience in a field of specialty, possessing a comprehensive understanding of existing theories, principles, and concepts in those fields to provide solutions to unusually complex problems for which no precedents or past practice exists. Resolves problems that frequently require mastery of specialized techniques using high degrees of ingenuity and creativity. Demonstrates well-recognized national influence and skilled consensus building. Exerts positive influence across a broad spectrum of stakeholders and interest groups with internal and external organizations, the public, and the community. Is often sought out to work on key project teams and regularly collaborates and negotiates with senior national/international government officials as a PNNL and DOE representative. Makes recommendations that set precedent for future decisions and strongly influence national/international policies and decisions at highest levels.The Mission Alignment Group manager is responsible for:
Fostering a feedback-rich environment; actively understanding and resolving barriers that impede staff and accomplishment of work; providing clear, direct, and timely feedback and growth opportunities; and engaging in active bi-directional communications that informs organizational decisions.
Managing up to senior staff, supporting their success and growth.
Administering overhead budgets and staff development resources in the group to ensure expertise, facilities, and equipment are mission-ready.
Working with business developers to define and attract new programs; identify, promote and provide mission alignment with new R&D ideas.
Contributing to division and directorate strategy objectives as a member of the ETT Division leadership team; may lead, coordinate, or contribute to activities that advance organizational long-term goals.
Translating strategy into action, setting directions for capability investments and defining future group strategy and technical agendas, while also establishing well-defined work and work environment for staff.
Liaising with the external technical community, including developing partnerships with university and industrial collaborators; interacting regularly with government sponsors to connect mission needs with PNNL computing capabilities.
Actively communicating Lab, sponsor, and external technical trends to the group, and representing group directions and capabilities outwardly to these communities.
Serving as a mentor to staff, helping to foster their career growth and facilitating their ability to network across PNNL.
The leader should be able to call on professional relationships inside and outside government to help craft and implement growth strategies. The leader should also possess the interpersonal skills and experience to build an effective team that is empowered to execute the strategy. The ideal leader will be well-versed in crafting a strategy that leads to new security-informed research and development at PNNL, ultimately driving S&T into the mission.QualificationsMinimum Qualificatoins:
BS/BA and 13 years of relevant experience -OR-
MS/MA or higher and 11 years of relevant experience
Preferred Qualifications:
A degree in a field related to science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or law.
Demonstrated knowledge of, and experience with, the National Security Directorate’s Program Development Office.
A strong track record of collaboration with the leadership team of both PNNL, and specifically the National Security Directorate.
Highly skilled in managing research or technology development projects.
Strong record of collaboration across technical domains and delivering results across multi-disciplinary environments.
Demonstrated record in developing and sustaining external funding.
Outstanding record of professional, technical, and management accomplishments along with a reputation for integrity and trust.
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills and a love of mentoring others.
Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
Experience leading teams and managing, planning, and executing R&D programs for DOE, DOD, DHS, and/or other federal agencies is preferred.
Knowledge of PNNL’s Seattle, Richland and Washington, D.C. operations.
Hazardous Working Conditions/EnvironmentNot ApplicableAdditional InformationThis position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.Requirements:
U.S. Citizenship.
Background Investigation: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter in accordance with 10 CFR 710, Appendix B.
Drug Testing: All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the candidate selected is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for the 12 consecutive months preceding completion of the requisite Questionnaire for National Security Positions (QNSP).
Note: Applicants will be considered ineligible for security clearance processing by the U.S. Department of Energy until non-use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, for 12 months can be demonstrated.Testing Designated PositionThis position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP). The candidate selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment and random drug testing for illegal drugs, including marijuana, consistent with the Controlled Substances Act and the PNNL Workplace Substance Abuse Program.About PNNLPacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, flexible work schedules and telework options. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or 3-hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.Commitment to Excellence, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Equal Employment OpportunityOur laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment dedicated to solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. In support of this commitment, we encourage people of all racial/ethnic identities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment.Pacific Northwest National Laboratory considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov .Drug Free WorkplacePNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.HSPD-12 PIV Credential RequirementIn accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.Mandatory RequirementsPlease be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.Rockstar RewardsEmployees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company funded pension plan and may enroll in our 401k savings plan. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
Research Associates excluded.
Once eligibility requirements are met.Click Here For Rockstar Rewards (https://careers.pnnl.gov/rockstar-rewards)Notice to ApplicantsPNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.Minimum SalaryUSD $184,700.00/Yr.Maximum SalaryUSD $318,000.00/Yr.