Senior Nuclear Operations Strategist

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We are seeking a Senior Nuclear Operations Strategist for Business Management Services (BMS) in the Research Reactors Division (RRD) of Neutron Sciences Directorate (NScD). The mission of BMS is to provide excellent, efficient, and compliant nuclear grade services to support safe and reliable High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) operations.

The BMS Section is responsible for Reactor Certification and Qualification, Nuclear Materials and Procurement, Information Technology (IT) implementation, Document Control and Records management, financial planning, and budget management.

The Senior Nuclear Operations Strategist works closely with the BMS Section Head to lead a variety of division-wide activities, ensuring operational excellence, strategic alignment, and organizational effectiveness within the section and the division.

• Collaborate with RRD leadership in developing and executing divisional management and nuclear workflow processes that enable safe, reliable, and compliant operation of the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR).
• Partner with Section Heads and Group Leaders to align resources with operational priorities and resolve organizational challenges in pursuit of operational excellence.
• Coordinate infrastructure planning activities to ensure budgets, resources, schedules, milestones, and deliverables remain aligned across all RRD functions.
• Lead assessment of future workforce needs, prioritizing critical hires, and coordinate with RRD leadership to ensure staffing levels support safe and reliable operations.
• Plan, forecast, and manage multiyear, high value budgets using the Integrated Work Plan (IWP) tool, ensuring milestones and regulatory requirements are met.
• Apply advanced analytical and forecasting techniques to assess trends, anticipate resource needs, and inform strategic planning and budgeting decisions.
• Evaluate monthly cost performance against projections to determine end of year balances and guide corrective actions.
• Develop and communicate key performance metrics that demonstrate progress, effectiveness, and impact across the division.
• Lead process improvement initiatives that streamline operations, enhance productivity, and strengthen accountability throughout the division.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

• A BS/BA degree in finance or business-related field with a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience in financial analysis and proficiency in spreadsheet applications and financial software.
• Extensive knowledge of strategic finance and financial data analysis with experience in operating facilities.

• An MBA plus experience with budgetary planning.
• Experience supporting business operations in a nuclear, Department of Energy, or similarly regulated technical environment.
• Familiarization with government orders and requirements related to budgeting and finance.

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real  form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.

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