Communications Lead, Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate

Requisition Id16143

Overview:

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a Communications Lead for its Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate (FFESD). As part of ORNL's Communications and Community Engagement Directorate (CCED), the selected candidate will advance awareness of the laboratory's fusion and fission research and development activities across key stakeholders. In guiding a team of communications professionals, the individual will lead the development of strategic, compelling communications products-including web content, social media campaigns, white papers, presentations, and more-to reach internal and external audiences with the latest scientific breakthroughs, partnerships, and other success stories from FFESD.

The Communications Lead will be a part of and work closely with the FFESD leadership team and act as ORNL's primary communications expert for fusion and nuclear energy. The position will report to the External Communications Division Director and collaborate with colleagues across CCED to promote laboratory-level crosscutting initiatives and strategic priorities.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Work directly with the FFESD Associate Laboratory Director (ALD) and other leaders, along with CCED colleagues, to ensure the directorate communications strategy is aligned with the organization's needs, strategies, and priorities and that institutional- and Department of Energy-level strategic messaging and priorities are reflected within the directorate's communications activities.
• Develop, execute, assess, and adjust strategic communications plans that engage key stakeholders and highlight the impact of FFESD and ORNL's science.
• Lead a multidisciplinary communications staff-serving as supervisor of science writers and communications specialists and matrixed supervisor of graphic designers and digital communications specialists-assigning daily tasks, managing workflows, tracking progress and quality, providing feedback, executing performance assessments and coordinating feedback with the appropriate line manager, and handling personnel and administrative issues.
• Produce and oversee the creation of high-quality communications materials that are targeted to FFESD's stakeholders.
• Provide the ALD and other leaders from FFESD executive communications support, including presentation development, internal messaging, speechwriting, and crisis communications.
• Serve as the primary liaison between FFESD and CCED, ensuring that communications align with institutional branding and strategic messaging while effectively representing FFESD in laboratory-wide communications initiatives.
• Collaborate with peers across ORNL to share and adopt best practices, support cross-directorates initiatives, and highlight ORNL's multidisciplinary and translational research.
• Oversee communications channels for FFESD, including internal and external websites, social media, and other products.
• Coach and train staff and leadership on effective communications and presentation skills.
• Research and benchmark communications best practices from across the fusion and fission energy communities to inform communications decisions and share findings with fellow S&T communications leads.
• Identify communications resource and expertise gaps in staffing and work with FFESD, CCED, and other areas of ORNL to fill needs as necessary.
• Provide writing, editing, event planning, and additional support as identified by FFESD leadership and CCED.
• Align behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace - in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• BSdegree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field, plus a minimum of 8 years of professional experience in external communications or stakeholder relations, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience in managing staff, projects, and resources to deliver high-quality communications products to key stakeholders on time and on budget.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills, including the ability to accurately translate complex science and engineering concepts into non-specialist language.
• Ability to communicate scientific research to non-scientific audiences.

PreferredQualifications:

• MSdegree, preferably in a field related to the role.
• Experience with DOE laboratories, nuclear industry, other energy industries, or energy-related engineering and research activities.
• Understanding of trajectories of nuclear energy and nuclear research in the United States, including current challenges and opportunities.
• Experience with DOE laboratory systems, policies, procedures and work methods.
• Experience in building, fostering, and influencing collaborative networks.

Visa Sponsorship: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements:

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge.
• For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required.
• Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.
• To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation's most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email:ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.