Division Director, Energy Sciences and Engineering

Savannah River National Laboratory•Aiken, SC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) is seeking an innovative and strategic Division Director to lead the newly formed Energy Sciences and Engineering (ESE) Division within the Science, Energy, and Innovation (SEI) Directorate. This inaugural leadership role involves building the division's culture, operating system, partnership ecosystem, and people-development framework from inception. The Division Director is accountable for the stewardship, development, and support of the division’s people, fostering an environment where research, science, and innovation thrive, and executing missions aligned with SRNL's strategic direction. This role also includes cultivating strategic partnerships with industry, universities, and the broader research ecosystem to enhance the division’s capabilities and impact. Success will be measured by the division’s collective impact, including the quality of its science, staff development and retention, strength of external partnerships, and operational and safety excellence.

Requirements

Ph.D. in a physical science, engineering, computational science, or closely related field and 10+ years of relevant experience, (or equivalent combination of education and experience)
A minimum of 5 years in technical leadership or program management roles.
Significant progressive experience in research and research leadership, including direct management of technical staff and demonstrated success building teams and developing research leaders.
Deep technical credibility and expertise in at least one of the division’s core domains (energy materials, advanced manufacturing and automation, fusion energy and isotope science, or research computing and computational science), with the capability to steward domains where you are not the expert.
Demonstrated commitment to and accountability for safety in a research environment, particularly in complex or radiological settings.
Strong record of recruiting, developing, and retaining technical talent and cultivating the next generation of research leaders.
Proven ability to work effectively in matrix environments, partnering with peer leaders and senior sponsors to align direction and execute missions.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to represent an organization credibly to senior sponsors, DOE leadership, external partners, and internal staff.
US Citizenship is Legally Required for ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a DOE national laboratory, federal research environment, or comparable mission-driven research organization.
Established relationships with DOE program offices and credibility in the relevant national research communities.
Experience building and cultivating strategic partnerships with industry, universities, and other national laboratories.
Demonstrated success building new research programs or divisions from inception.
Track record of growing a research portfolio and securing external funding and partnerships.

Responsibilities

Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain a high-caliber technical and leadership staff.
Build and coach the division’s group leaders and identify and grow the next generation of research leaders.
Establish the division’s operating culture, values, and norms around scientific rigor, collaboration, psychological safety, inclusion, and accountability.
Create an environment where researchers are supported, developed, and enabled to do their best work.
Manage performance, allocate staff and resources, and make sound personnel and investment decisions.
Foster a strong safety culture and ensure all division work is planned and executed safely and in full compliance with environmental, safety, health, quality, and security requirements.
Work with SRNL leadership to understand strategic direction and mission priorities and execute division activities and allocate resources in alignment with that direction.
Steward the scientific quality, rigor, and reputation of the division’s work and serve as a credible scientific voice to sponsors, peers, and the external research community.
Lead group leaders in identifying high-value science and technical opportunities that align with DOE mission needs, SRNL strategic priorities, and the division’s distinctive capabilities.
Ensure the division has the capabilities, tools, talent, and partnerships needed to execute its missions effectively and on time.
Own the cultivation and stewardship of strategic partnerships outside the Department of Energy — industry engagement, university collaborations, national laboratory partnerships, and professional relationships.
Lead and mentor staff in building and deepening external relationships.
Position the division as a credible, trusted partner to industry and academia.
Advance SRNL’s standing and visibility in the division’s technical domains through publications, presentations, professional leadership, and strategic external relationships.
Manage the division’s budget, financial performance, facilities, and capital and infrastructure needs.
Ensure delivery of high-quality work products on scope, on schedule, and on budget.
Establish division metrics, reporting cadences, and accountability structures.
Track and communicate progress to the ALD and the SEI leadership team.
Work closely within the SRNL matrix structure to ensure alignment between division capabilities and program office priorities; surface challenges and opportunities that should inform strategic planning.