Directorate Chief Operations Officer, Weapons Production Technology

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) is seeking to hire a Directorate Chief Operations Officer (DCOO), reporting to the Associate Laboratory Director (ALD) of Weapons Production Technology. The DCOO provides operational leadership and direction needed for ensuring safe, secure, compliant, and effective execution of Savannah River National Laboratory’s mission. This includes work needed to meet the directorate’s objectives while maintaining excellence in research operations. 

The DCOO serves as the principal operational representative of the ALD and is delegated authority to act on operational matters, manage directorate risks, drive continuous improvement, and align resources with mission priorities.

• Lead and oversee directorate operations to ensure alignment with SRNL mission objectives, laboratory strategy, directorate risk management, and DOE contractual requirements.
• Foster and sustain a strong culture of safety, security, quality, and operational excellence in accordance with SRNL’s Safe Conduct of Research principles.
• Ensure operations are conducted safely, securely, efficiently, and in compliance with DOE regulations, SRNL policies, and applicable requirements.
• Lead the development and implementation of laboratory and directorate initiatives and actions needed for laboratory-level continuous improvement in operational practices and systems. 
• Ensure that directorate operational and programmatic risks are properly identified, effectively managed, and appropriately mitigated.
• Ensure directorate has the appropriate resources and capabilities to enable scientific mission objectives.
• In partnership with mission support organizations, lead the directorate interface to ensure effective and efficient support of policies, procedures, processes, and systems enabling the science and programmatic mission of the directorate. 
• Develop and manage metrics to monitor programs, key performance indicators, and assessment programs to ensure that directorate goals are attained.

Accountabilities:

• To the ALD, for leadership and oversight of the directorate operational performance, safety, compliance, and assessments
• To the ALD for leadership, support and administration of operations, interfacing between division directors and staff, to support the directorate's strategy and mission
• To line management and staff, for development and deployment of processes, systems and facilities that support safe, efficient, and effective research
• To deputy laboratory director for operations for initiatives assigned to improve laboratory operational performance and reliability

Authorities:

• Represent ALD on all operational matters, including additional responsibilities and authorities delegated as appropriate by the ALD.
• Direct actions necessary to correct deficiencies and to enforce corrective actions within the directorate.
• Act to ensure and enable safe, compliant, efficient and effective operations.
• Commission independent assessments, reviews, and other oversight mechanisms within the directorate.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science or non-technical (with extensive operations experience) 
• Minimum 12 years of leadership experience in DOE or similarly regulated environments
• Experience leading operations in safety-conscious organizations
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE security clearance; U.S. citizenship required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in engineering, science, or 15+ years of operational experience in a DOE lab/site system with strong communication skills
• Leadership experience at a DOE National Laboratory/Site
• Experience supporting nuclear operations

• Experience or knowledge with nuclear weapon component/process design, development, production, surveillance, or disposition.