Facility Amenities Program Manager

Argonne National Laboratory•Lemont, IL

About The Position

Argonne National Laboratory is seeking a senior-level Facility Amenities Program Manager to provide enterprise-wide leadership, strategic direction, and independent authority for the Laboratory’s hospitality, food service, childcare, conference, recreation, and workplace amenity programs. The successful candidate will serve as the principal Lab representative and subject matter expert for amenity services—delivering exemplary customer experience while developing new service models, governance frameworks, and operational approaches that advance Lab-wide objectives. The position requires advanced professional expertise, broad judgment, and the ability to originate and implement solutions to complex, non-routine challenges affecting employees, visitors, students, vendors, senior leadership, and external stakeholders. The role initiates, develops, plans, budgets, manages, directs, and coordinates all on-site and off-site amenity support services across the Laboratory, exercising significant latitude in determining program objectives, strategies, and methods. Amenity services include, but are not limited to, the Argonne Guest House, Cafeteria, 401 Grille, ABRI Credit Union, Argonne Child Development Center, Fitness Center, Freund Lodge, Argonne Park, coffee kiosks, the vending program, and Argonne offices located in Chicago and Washington, DC, as well as associated conference/event services and local hotel partnerships. Key Responsibilities Provide Lab-wide strategic leadership, governance, and standards for all employee, student, and visitor amenities, establishing service models and long-range plans to enhance on-site and off-site experience. Develop and implement new programs, methods, and frameworks to address complex and evolving workforce, visitor, and operational needs. Initiate and lead high-complexity projects and initiatives that enhance customer experience, optimize resources, and advance institutional objectives. Provide executive-level oversight of high-profile events, conferences, and VIP meetings; independently assess customer needs and direct on-site/off-site vendors to meet or exceed expectations. Establish standards and drive improvements for conference space reservation, utilization, and meeting implementation processes, identifying efficiencies and user benefits at an enterprise level. Direct strategic management of off-site spaces at Harper Court (Chicago) and Spaces (Washington, DC), including space utilization, lease compliance, and coordination with building operators/landlords, technology support, and required services. Establish strategy and governance for the local hotel program and recommend/implement improvements that support Lab-wide travel and visitor objectives. Provide leadership as the senior principal customer contact for amenities services and the visible face for senior Lab management interaction with amenity services. Directly manage supervisory/professional staff (including administrative support as applicable) and provide executive oversight of a large contractor workforce (30+), ensuring performance, accountability, and compliance. Serve as the Laboratory’s senior Technical Representative for amenity-related contracts and leases, leading RFP development, contract strategy, execution, and vendor governance; ensure work is performed in accordance with contract requirements and Lab policies (including safety and security). Serve as the Building Manager for the facilities that house amenities, including maintenance, repairs, infrastructure, and operational issues. Provide financial planning and oversight (including budgets, space/lease charges, and contract obligations), and manage performance of a significant portfolio of amenity contracts and leases (including contracts exceeding $2M, as applicable). Develop and advocate for amenities programs & projects funding including budget preparation for the proposed annual budgets. Develop and implement performance management measures/frameworks to assess vendor effectiveness, drive continuous improvement, expand services, and increase utilization/customer base. Represent the Laboratory to senior management, DOE, external agencies, other DOE laboratories, and industry organizations; coordinate efforts across organizational lines and participate in relevant forums to identify trends and enhancements. Monitor industry trends and regulatory considerations; originate enhancements that improve service quality, efficiency, sustainability, and compliance. Advocating for amenities programs & projects funding and budget preparation for the proposed FY budgets. Acting as the Building Manager for the facilities that house amenities, including maintenance, repairs, infrastructure, and operational issues. Model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork in all aspects of leadership and decision-making. This job description documents the general nature of work and is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all activities, duties, and responsibilities.

Requirements

Advanced ability to direct, govern, optimize, and administer Lab-wide amenity programs and facilities supporting employees, visitors, and students (e.g., housing/guest services, food service, recreation, childcare, conference space, local hotels, and general amenities).
Advanced ability to manage off-site leased spaces, including comprehensive understanding of building operations, lease terms, compliance requirements, and appropriate uses of space.
Demonstrated ability to develop new methods, service models, and strategic frameworks to enhance and evolve amenity programs and improve user experience.
Advanced business, financial, and marketing acumen, including budget oversight, procurement, and vendor/contract performance management.
Advanced written and verbal communication skills to influence senior leadership and achieve Lab-wide objectives.
Advanced ability to work across organizational boundaries and effectively engage senior internal and external stakeholders.
Advanced organizational skills and ability to manage complex, competing priorities.
Recognized subject matter expertise in customer service and customer experience.
Extensive knowledge of hospitality/leisure services, food service operations, childcare operations, and conference/event operations.
Advanced ability to interpret financial information, manage contracts/leases, and oversee significant resources.
Ability to consistently model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.
Bachelor’s degree and 10+ years of progressively responsible professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

Extensive/considerable knowledge of Argonne National Laboratory operations, including safety, security, and DOE requirements.
Experience representing an organization in enterprise, inter-laboratory, or multi-institutional forums.

Responsibilities

Provide Lab-wide strategic leadership, governance, and standards for all employee, student, and visitor amenities, establishing service models and long-range plans to enhance on-site and off-site experience.
Develop and implement new programs, methods, and frameworks to address complex and evolving workforce, visitor, and operational needs.
Initiate and lead high-complexity projects and initiatives that enhance customer experience, optimize resources, and advance institutional objectives.
Provide executive-level oversight of high-profile events, conferences, and VIP meetings; independently assess customer needs and direct on-site/off-site vendors to meet or exceed expectations.
Establish standards and drive improvements for conference space reservation, utilization, and meeting implementation processes, identifying efficiencies and user benefits at an enterprise level.
Direct strategic management of off-site spaces at Harper Court (Chicago) and Spaces (Washington, DC), including space utilization, lease compliance, and coordination with building operators/landlords, technology support, and required services.
Establish strategy and governance for the local hotel program and recommend/implement improvements that support Lab-wide travel and visitor objectives.
Provide leadership as the senior principal customer contact for amenities services and the visible face for senior Lab management interaction with amenity services.
Directly manage supervisory/professional staff (including administrative support as applicable) and provide executive oversight of a large contractor workforce (30+), ensuring performance, accountability, and compliance.
Serve as the Laboratory’s senior Technical Representative for amenity-related contracts and leases, leading RFP development, contract strategy, execution, and vendor governance; ensure work is performed in accordance with contract requirements and Lab policies (including safety and security).
Serve as the Building Manager for the facilities that house amenities, including maintenance, repairs, infrastructure, and operational issues.
Provide financial planning and oversight (including budgets, space/lease charges, and contract obligations), and manage performance of a significant portfolio of amenity contracts and leases (including contracts exceeding $2M, as applicable).
Develop and advocate for amenities programs & projects funding including budget preparation for the proposed annual budgets.
Develop and implement performance management measures/frameworks to assess vendor effectiveness, drive continuous improvement, expand services, and increase utilization/customer base.
Represent the Laboratory to senior management, DOE, external agencies, other DOE laboratories, and industry organizations; coordinate efforts across organizational lines and participate in relevant forums to identify trends and enhancements.
Monitor industry trends and regulatory considerations; originate enhancements that improve service quality, efficiency, sustainability, and compliance.
Advocating for amenities programs & projects funding and budget preparation for the proposed FY budgets.
Acting as the Building Manager for the facilities that house amenities, including maintenance, repairs, infrastructure, and operational issues.
Model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork in all aspects of leadership and decision-making.