Manager of Tours, Hosting & Protocol

Idaho National Laboratory • Idaho Falls, ID

1d • $93,840 - $225,180

About The Position

Idaho National Laboratory is seeking a Manager of Tours, Hosting & Protocol to lead its visitor engagement organization and oversee teams responsible for protocol, executive hosting, tours, and institutional events. Reporting to the Communications Director, the manager leads a multidisciplinary team delivering visitor experiences that strengthen understanding of INL's mission and reinforce its reputation with government leaders, industry partners, academic institutions, Tribal Nations, international delegations, and community stakeholders.

The role establishes operational priorities, develops service standards, allocates resources, and partners across the laboratory to ensure visits and events reflect INL's commitment to excellence, safety, and professionalism. It combines people leadership, operational management, and stakeholder engagement while supporting high-profile laboratory activities. The position also supports emergency response activities, including participation in the Emergency Operations Center or Joint Information Center as assigned.

The target pay range is $104,649–$160,458 annually; the full pay range is $93,840–$225,180. Compensation decisions consider education, relevant experience, and other credentials. The position requires the ability to obtain and maintain an “L” DOE security clearance. INL has more than 6,300 scientists, researchers, and support staff and is dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in communications, public relations, hospitality, business, public administration, English, political science, international relations, or a related discipline, and 5 years of experience. Degrees in other disciplines may be considered when combined with relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams in communications, protocol, hospitality, visitor services, stakeholder engagement, or related operational environments.
• Experience planning and executing complex visits, executive engagements, institutional events, or stakeholder programs.
• Experience managing budgets, staffing, organizational priorities, and operational performance.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build collaborative relationships across a complex organization.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail and customer service.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an “L” DOE security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting executive leadership, government relations, protocol, or stakeholder engagement programs.
• Knowledge of diplomatic protocol, executive hosting, visitor engagement, and institutional event management.
• Experience in federal agencies, national laboratories, research organizations, higher education, or similarly complex institutions.
• Demonstrated success developing operational processes and improving organizational effectiveness.
• Experience leading teams through changing priorities while maintaining exceptional customer service.
• Familiarity with AI-enabled planning tools and operational management technologies.
• A collaborative leadership style, sound judgment, and the ability to remain composed in fast-paced, high-visibility environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Tours, Hosting & Protocol organization, providing direction, coaching, and professional development.
• Establish operational priorities, performance expectations, and service standards for protocol, hosting, tours, and events.
• Guide protocol, executive hosting, and visitor engagement practices to ensure compliance with laboratory policies, security requirements, and protocol standards.
• Oversee high-profile visits involving Department of Energy leadership, elected officials, foreign delegations, industry executives, university partners, Tribal Nations, and other distinguished visitors.
• Direct laboratory tour programs that communicate INL's scientific, engineering, and operational capabilities through engaging, accurate, audience-centered experiences.
• Oversee institutional events, executive engagements, and ceremonial activities in coordination with Communications, Safeguards & Security, Facilities & Site Services, senior leadership, and other laboratory organizations.
• Build collaborative relationships across the laboratory to coordinate visitor experiences and hosting activities.
• Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and best practices, and drive continuous improvement using customer feedback, operational metrics, and lessons learned.
• Manage organizational budgets, staffing, workforce planning, and resource allocation.
• Develop contingency plans and provide operational leadership during evolving situations, balancing visitor experience with safety, security, and mission requirements.
• Partner with Communications leadership to align visitor engagement with laboratory messaging, communications priorities, and organizational objectives.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational effectiveness through technology, AI-enabled tools, process improvements, and data-informed decision-making.
• Support emergency response activities, including participation in the Emergency Operations Center or Joint Information Center as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match for regular positions; self-contribute access for postdoctoral positions
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Employee Education Program with tuition assistance for eligible positions
• Comprehensive relocation package

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager