FFESD Chief Operating Officer

Requisition Id 16108 

Overview

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is the largest Office of Science national laboratory within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) system. With more than 7,000 staff members, world-leading user facilities, and an extraordinary breadth of expertise spanning neutron science, computational science, materials science, nuclear energy, isotopes, biological and environmental sciences, national security, and energy technologies, ORNL delivers the scientific discoveries and technical breakthroughs essential to fulfilling the DOE's mission through operational excellence.

The ORNL Fusion and Fission Energy and Science Directorate (FFESD) is seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) to report directly to the FFESD Associate Laboratory Director (ALD). As the senior operations leader within the directorate, the COO will provide strategic vision and operational leadership to ensure research initiatives, facility operations, and programmatic objectives are executed with the highest standards of safety, security, efficiency, and regulatory compliance. This pivotal role serves as the principal advocate for operational excellence, champions continuous improvement initiatives, and ensures alignment between daily operations and the directorate's strategic mission objectives.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic and Operational Leadership

• Develop, articulate, and implement long-term operations strategies that align with the directorate’s scientific and technological goals.
• Work collaboratively with the ALD and Division Directors to coordinate strategic planning, internal business planning, and lab-wide operational initiatives.
• Represent the ALD on all operational matters, ensuring that changes in operational practices and systems are effectively implemented.

Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement

• Establish expectations, mentor staff, and ensure accountability for the continuous improvement of operational performance across all areas including conduct of operations, operational culture, configuration management, and quality assurance.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators, assessment programs, and metrics to track operational and programmatic performance. Develop framework for operational agility.
• Lead and coordinate corrective actions, risk mitigation efforts, and independent reviews or assessments to resolve operational challenges.

Safety, Security, Compliance, and Risk Management

• Ensure all work is performed in accordance with DOE regulations, ORNL policies, and safe research practices, incorporating the Safe Conduct of Research principles into daily operations.
• Oversee compliance with environmental health and safety requirements, security protocols, and export control procedures.
• Facilitate and coordinate operational responses to incidents or major events, including participation in the laboratory’s Emergency Response Organization.

Facilities and Resource Management

• Lead directorate-level facility planning initiatives, ensuring that operational spaces and supporting infrastructures meet current and future mission needs.
• Coordinate closely with Facilities & Operations to maintain appropriate capabilities within designated research and user facility environments.

Stakeholder and External Engagement

• Serve as a resource to internal and external stakeholders, communicating best practices, lessons learned, and challenges related to operations.
• Participate in national and external initiatives, strategic operational reviews, and key industry events to advance the laboratory’s operational practices.

Communication

• Ensure consistent messaging across leadership, managers, and frontline teams, and maintain a feedback loop.
• Gather input from staff at all levels regarding operations and operational excellence and feed insights back to the leadership team.
• Foster a culture of transparency by making operational decisions and results understandable to employees.
• Work across directorate and departments (finance, HR, IT, Communications, ESH&Q, F&O Partnerships, etc.) to align objectives.
• Coordinate closely with ESH&Q to ensure regulatory compliance, protect personnel and the environment, promote safe practices, and enhance interdisciplinary research collaboration.

Basic Qualifications

• BS degree in a scientific, engineering, or technical discipline with a minimum of 12 years of experience in R&D or operations management within a complex research environment.
• A proven track record of managing operational teams, with 5+ years of direct supervisory or management experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated abilities in mentoring, project management, and collaborative problem solving.
• Deliver on directorate’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with relevant DOE regulations, applicable safety or security standards, and experience in a major experimental research facility or equivalent setting are highly desirable.
• Preference is given to candidates with an advanced degree in a scientific, engineering, or technical discipline.

• A current DOE security clearance is preferred

Special Requirements:

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.

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.

Relocation:  Moving can be overwhelming and expensive. UT-Battelle offers a generous relocation package to ease the transition process. Domestic and international relocation assistance is available for certain positions. If invited to interview, be sure to ask your Recruiter (Talent Acquisition Partner) for details.

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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.