Associate Laboratory Director (ALD), National Security Directorate

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory • Richland, WA

1d

About The Position

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget. Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and 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 facility housed on the PNNL campus. The National Security Directorate (NSD) drives science-based, mission-focused solutions to take on complex, real-world threats to our nation and the world.

Requirements

• Strong communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills, including the ability to influence, make decisions, and engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to develop and sustain sponsor, government, academic, and industry partnerships that advance objectives.
• Ability to lead transformative organizational change and inspire teams around a shared strategic vision.
• Ability to maintain strong awareness of sponsor priorities and market direction with an outward-facing engagement mindset.
• Ability to provide effective leadership and management in a complex science and technology environment.
• Ability to work productively with diverse stakeholders across PNNL and with partners in government, academia, and industry.
• Ability to set strategic direction, attract research and development funding, and build collaborations with federal agencies, universities, and industry partners.
• Knowledge of national research trends and evolving science and technology landscape, with the flexibility to align PNNL’s capabilities accordingly.
• Knowledge of and commitment to employing best practices in human performance improvement, safety, quality, security, environment, health, and diversity.
• Bachelors degree with 20+ years responsible experience, including a combination of leadership and relevant technical experience.
• Advanced degree with 18+ years responsible experience, including a combination of leadership and relevant technical experience.
• U.S. Citizenship
• 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.
• All Security Clearance positions are Testing Designated Positions, which means that the applicant selected for hire is subject to pre-employment drug testing, and post-employment random drug testing.
• 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).

Nice To Haves

• PhD degree in science or engineering preferred.
• 10 years of line management and/or significant technical program management experience.
• Proven track record in developing, leading, and managing national security programs for a broad and diverse sponsor base (preferably with key national security offices, e.g., DOE, NNSA, Intelligence Community), particularly in a DOE National Laboratory or other complex setting.
• Proven experience leading strategically and developing creative, innovative solutions in a complex, multidisciplinary technical organization with significant fiscal and programmatic responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide inspirational leadership and direction to PNNL’s National Security Directorate (NSD), shaping its strategic vision and driving excellence in science and technology.
• Set the vision and direction for NSD and integrate its capabilities with PNNL’s broader mission goals.
• Lead a talented workforce and oversee distinct capabilities within the directorate to include nuclear, chemical, and biological technologies, data science and engineering and foreign intelligence analysis.
• Oversee the operations of the Field Intelligence Element.
• Foster collaboration and effective communication across PNNL and with other national laboratories, academia and industry partners to ensure the attainment of scientific and technical objectives.
• Obtain programmatic funding, achieving financial targets, and overseeing the operational success of the directorate in partnership with technical leaders from the across the Laboratory.
• Responsible for building relationships with key stakeholders across the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community, and other federal sponsors, state funding agencies, business and industry partners, and elected officials.
• Define and implement strategic objectives that align with the Laboratory’s mission and vision, with a focus on growing funding, expanding impactful programs, and positioning the Directorate for long-term national relevance.
• Partner with the Laboratory Director, the Laboratory Leadership Team, and other stakeholders to shape PNNL’s institutional science and technology (S&T) strategy.
• Build and sustain a high-performing, inclusive workforce by nurturing scientific, technical, managerial talent; foster a culture of excellence; and grow the next-generation of leaders. Promote collaboration across PNNL, other DOE laboratories, and Battelle to support knowledge sharing joint initiatives.
• Anticipate emerging programmatic needs and market trends, and identify new opportunities to develop and evolve a sustainable, forward-looking business strategy that advances DOE missions and national priorities.
• Ensure the Directorate’s operations are conducted safely, securely, and responsibly, in alignment with regulatory requirements, environmental stewardship, and internal performance standards.
• Cultivate strategic, influential relationships with external stakeholders—including the DOE, federal and state funding agencies, industry partners, research groups, and government officials at all levels—to strengthen collaboration and drive collective impact.

Benefits

• Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, 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 401 (k) savings plan with company match.
• Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees