Assistant Director for Program Operations, Energy Sciences

Reporting to the Director of Energy Sciences and Technology, the Assistant Director for Program Operations leads key operational functions supporting the execution of scientific research programs across multiple divisions. The role provides strategic planning support and manages reporting for internal and external reviews (including DOE), while ensuring consistent practices across Chemistry, Condensed Matter Physics, Materials Science, and Nanoscience.
This position partners with division leadership on workforce management processes for a sizeable scientific and professional staff, including performance evaluations, promotions, hiring, and workforce planning. The Assistant Director also coordinates major institutional planning and reporting activities (e.g., ALP, PEMP, BES reviews), oversees LDRD program processes, and facilitates cross-divisional initiatives and emerging strategic priorities.
In addition, the role supports department-wide environmental, safety, and health (ESH) performance in collaboration with the ESH Manager. A working knowledge of the underlying science is required to effectively review and assess scientific documents, reports, and program materials.

Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) invites applications for the position of Assistant Director for Program Operations, Energy Sciences. This senior leadership role strengthens the coordination and execution of scientific operations across the Department. The Assistant Director for Program Operations brings a scientific background and experience working in research organizations, with familiarity in developing and managing research programs. This role requires understanding the scientific enterprise and the operational processes that support it.

Reporting to the Director of Energy Sciences and Technology, you will lead key operational functions supporting the execution of scientific research programs across multiple divisions. This includes providing strategic planning support and managing reporting for internal and external reviews (including DOE), while ensuring consistent practices across Chemistry, Condensed Matter Physics, Materials Science, and Nanoscience.

In this role, you partner with division leadership to support workforce management processes for a large scientific and professional staff, including performance evaluations, promotions, hiring, and workforce planning. You also coordinate major institutional planning and reporting activities (e.g., ALP, PEMP, BES reviews), oversee LDRD program processes, and facilitate cross-divisional initiatives and emerging strategic priorities.

You support department-wide environmental, safety, and health (ESH) performance in collaboration with the ESH Manager and contribute to maintaining a strong safety culture.

You will:

• Serve as the Director's primary partner in advancing and maintaining clear Department-wide scientific operational expectations and practices.

• Oversee Department personnel processes, including performance evaluation management, promotions, and workforce planning.

• Partner with Division Directors to address cross-cutting operational and personnel matters.

• Provide Department-wide oversight of Environment, Safety & Health (ESH) performance in collaboration with the Energy Sciences ESH Manager.

• Represent the Director in internal Laboratory operational forums and meetings assigned.

Laboratory and DOE Planning, Reporting, and Review Readiness

You will:

• Coordinate Department inputs for major Laboratory and DOE processes, including strategic planning, performance evaluation (PEMP), and program reviews.

• Ensure consistent, accurate, and timely scientific and operational reporting across Divisions.

• Strengthen Department readiness for DOE and external reviews by identifying gaps and driving corrective actions.

• Facilitate coordination between scientific leadership and Laboratory support organizations to ensure successful execution of Department initiatives.

Cross-Division Integration and Department Effectiveness

You will:

• Promote effective collaboration and information sharing across the three Energy Sciences Divisions.

• Ensure consistent implementation of Laboratory policies and Department-wide practices across Divisions.

• Identify and implement opportunities to streamline Department processes for improved clarity, efficiency, and compliance.

• Monitor the effectiveness of cross-Division coordination and recommend process improvements as needed.

• Foster a culture of teamwork, accountability, and shared responsibility across the Energy Sciences Department.

• Support the Department's scientific operations and readiness within a highly visible federal research environment

• Foster a culture of teamwork and shared responsibility across Energy Sciences.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

You will have:

• A bachelor's degree in science, engineering, or a relevant field.

• A minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in a scientific, technical, or research environment, including at least 4 years of demonstrated leadership or management experience.

• Experience supporting or leading operations within a complex, research-driven organization, including personnel processes such as performance management, workforce planning, promotions, and staff development.

• Demonstrated experience coordinating cross-organizational initiatives and working effectively across teams in a matrixed environment.

• Experience preparing for and supporting external reviews, including development and execution of corrective action plans.

• Working knowledge of Environment, Safety & Health (ESH) principles in a research or technical setting.

• Experience with planning, performance metrics, reporting, and program or portfolio reviews.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with scientific leadership, operational staff, and senior stakeholders.

You may have:

• An advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in science, engineering, or related field.

• Experience working in a DOE National Laboratory, federally funded research environment, or similarly complex scientific institution.

• Familiarity with performance management processes, including strategic planning, and scientific program reviews.

• Experience supporting scientific reporting, research program management, or programmatic operations.

• Experience leading organizational change, process improvement, or operational transformation initiatives.

Additional Information:

• This is a fully onsite position located at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, NY.

• This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $155000 - $180000 / year. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate's qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.

Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to employee success and we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Review more information at BNL | Benefits Program

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About Us

Brookhaven National Laboratory (www.bnl.gov) delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation's future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country, learn more at BNL | Opportunities for Veterans at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Guided by our core values of integrity, responsibility, innovation, respect, and teamwork, Brookhaven Science Associates is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer-Vets/Disabled. We are committed to fostering a respectful and collaborative environment that fuels scientific discovery. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by law. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. *VEVRAA Federal Contractor

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