Research Operations Manager

Overview

At PNNL,our core capabilities are dividedamongmajor departments that werefer to as Directorates within the Lab,focused on a specific area of scientific research orother function, with its own leadership teamand dedicated budget.

Our Science & Technologydirectoratesinclude National Security,Earthand Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment.

In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory,a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facilityhoused on the PNNL campus.

The Energy and Environment Directoratedeliversscience and technology solutions for the nation’s biggest energy and environmental challenges. Our more than 1,700 staff support the Department of Energy (DOE), delivering on key DOE mission areas including: modernizing our nation’s power grid to maintain a reliable, affordable, secure, and resilient electricity delivery infrastructure; research, development, validation, and effective utilization of renewable energy and efficiency technologies that improve the affordability, reliability, resiliency, and security of the American energy system;

and resolving complex issues in nuclear science, energy, and environmental management.

The Energy & Environment Directorate (EED) is hiring an Operations Manager with experience in a research and development environment. The primary role of the EED Operations Office is to enable effective, efficient and safe research in support of the EED mission. This is achieved by partnering with the M&O organizations in integrating operational capabilities, requirements, and solutions into research activities.

Major challenges of this position include being able to bridge successfully between EED mission execution and the operational expectations and requirements of doing business at PNNL, responding 24/7 to events and issues, staying abreast of organizational and Lab level changes to requirements and assuring communications are effectively carried out related to the changes. This is an ever-changing work environment, where the expectation is to be able to think strategically and anticipate upcoming impacts and risks, while responding to day to day needs of the directorate.

The successful candidate will work effectively with the research organization to help enable effective mentoring of staff to assure safe, effective, and compliant operations.

The Operations Manager reports to the EED Chief Operating Officer and has day-to-day interface with all levels of Line Management and Project Management Office Directors to provide guidance and support on all manner of operational topics. The incumbent works with little or no direction and has the latitude to make decisions on behalf of the EED organization. Many of the assignments are self-initiated after identification of an operational risk or condition that must be mitigated.

The incumbent may work on large, longer term tasks or short discreet tasks, either of which may be at differing complexities, risk and impact. They will be a task lead on operational initiatives as assigned by the EED Chief Operating Officer or other EED senior managers.

The Operations Manager is considered an expert with respect to Environment Safety & Health (ES&H), Facilities & Operations (F&O) and Security related processes, procedures and requirements. The incumbent is expected to lead by effectively influencing management and staff at all levels.

• Leads scientific, technology and engineering vision, strategy development and execution.
• Includes responsibility for the conception of, development of, and execution of internal investments to advance strategic objectives.
• Provides input into capability and infrastructure needs for areas of responsibility.
• Provides leadership for assigned areas in growing new business and maintaining and expanding existing business.
• Responsible to develop and maintain strong relationships with assigned sponsors.
• Management of Research Operations budget.
• Support and strengthen the safety culture of the organization through reinforcement of the Safe Conduct of Research (SCoR) principles.
• Oversight and day-to-day leadership of ES&H and…