Early-Stage Planning Program Manager

Consolidated Nuclear Security•Oak Ridge, TN

About The Position

The Early-Stage Planning Program Manager strategically integrates and initiates line-item and new-facility minor construction projects, guiding them from concept development through transition to execution organizations. The role serves as a primary liaison for new-facility planning, facilitating information exchange, aligning site and strategic objectives with program priorities, and ensuring internal and external requirements are met. The position supports early planning for future construction, including developing mission-need and program-requirements documentation, preparing critical-decision packages and milestone materials, evaluating project options, and preparing siting studies. It also supports technical project leads with cost estimates, schedules, milestones, and deliverables; coordinates project communications and status updates with stakeholders; and contributes to project plans, schedules, reports, procedures, and implementation plans. The role supports development of the Y-12 Master Site Plan, particularly long-range construction, and leads teams and committees under limited guidance. The position requires a bachelor's degree and at least 12 years of relevant experience, a master's degree and at least 10 years, or a PhD and at least 7 years, along with PMP certification. A Q clearance is required, though qualified candidates may be considered regardless of current clearance status; the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance is required. The position may involve entry into Material Access Areas and participation in the Human Reliability Program, and may be designated under DOE regulations for counterintelligence evaluation. Candidates accepting an offer must pass a pre-placement physical, drug screening, and background investigation. U.S. citizenship is required for security clearance applicants.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience, or a master's degree and a minimum of 10 years, or a PhD and a minimum of 7 years.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary teams without direct authority.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Experience developing and maturing complex initiatives in regulated industrial environments.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance.
U.S. citizenship is required for security clearance applicants.
Successful completion of a pre-placement physical, drug screening, and background investigation is required for candidates accepting a job offer.

Nice To Haves

15 or more years of relevant experience.
Extensive technical expertise and full knowledge of DOE capital asset or minor construction projects.
Knowledge of industry and regulatory standards, such as DOE O 413.3 acquisition processes.
Experience operating at environmentally complex sites involving remediation or regulatory oversight.
Experience facilitating project initiation and stakeholder alignment activities.
Professionalism, strategic communication, and collaborative engagement with senior management and NNSA stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Develop mission-need and program-requirements documentation for new construction projects, as directed.
Support development and approval of critical-decision packages and major project milestones.
Evaluate future construction projects, identify options, and propose solutions, including assessment of project complexity, tentative location, size, and related information.
Support communications between technical project leads and customers, including requests for proposals, statements of work, product and service delivery, and periods of performance, as directed.
Support communication and coordination of program plans and status with the Federal Program Office, site management, stakeholders, and customers, including weekly project reviews, weekly highlights, and monthly financial updates.
Prepare and review presentations, project plans, schedules, monthly reports, system descriptions, procedures, and implementation plans.
Support technical project leads with cost estimates, schedules, milestones, and deliverables in collaboration with stakeholders.
Lead teams and committees and participate in working groups and planning meetings under limited guidance.
Prepare siting studies for future new construction and laydown areas and assess the feasibility of proposed plans.
Support planning and development of the Y-12 Master Site Plan, with a focus on long-range construction.
Perform other duties as assigned or requested.