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Associate Laboratory Director, Environmental & Legacy Management

Company:
Savannah River National Laboratory
Location:
Aiken, SC
Posted:
July 27, 2025
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Description:

Description

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) has an exceptional opportunity for a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as the Associate Laboratory Director for the Environmental & Legacy Management (ELM) Directorate. ELM serves as the lead National Laboratory for the Department of Energy – Offices of Environmental Management (EM) and Legacy Management (LM) mitigating the hazards associated with Cold War legacy wastes and environmental contamination. ELM provides technologies and strategies for spent nuclear fuel and nuclear material processing and disposition; tank waste processing and disposition; waste form development and processing; soil & ground water remediation and long-term monitoring; and deactivation and decommissioning for the Savannah River Site, DOE complex, international partners and commercial industry. In addition to the science and engineering that ELM develops for near-term application, the directorate also provides basic and fundamental science to advance materials science, analytical characterization, biological sciences, and energy applications. As the lead laboratory, ELM provides the executive leadership for the Network of National Laboratories for Environmental Management and Stewardship to advance EM and LM missions and address critical, time sensitive requests of the department. The ELM directorate engages with the other directorates to leverage SRNL’s capabilities in remote engineering, packaging, unmanned aerial systems, and computational science, while also providing necessary capabilities to advance National Security weapons and non-proliferation missions.

As a key member of the Laboratory’s Senior Leadership Team, the Associate Laboratory Director works closely with the Laboratory Director, Deputy Lab Directors, and other Associate Laboratory Directors to address SRNL’s mission. Reporting to the Laboratory Director, the Associate Laboratory Director is accountable for strategic planning, people and operations leadership, research quality and integrity, safety, security, and communications for the Environmental & Legacy Management Directorate. In this capacity, the Associate Laboratory Director leads the science and technology programs to: 1) establish a compelling vision complemented with a strategic execution plan, 2) strengthen stakeholder engagement and relationship management with major sponsors and production facilities, and 3) drive staff professional growth and development while creating organizational momentum that enhances our facilities and capabilities, including building and maintaining a culture that is committed to open opportunities for all employees. The Associate Laboratory Director works with their leadership team and the Laboratory’s operations staff to develop and execute priorities for facility operations and planning, including ELM’s need for maintaining radioactive facilities to support the long-term EM mission. Together with the other Associate Laboratory Directors, this position participates in institutional research and management initiatives, develops cross-cutting research proposals and initiatives, and fosters collaboration across SRNL and with partner universities and other institutions outside of SRNL.

Responsibilities

Guide the long-term strategic vision for ELM to sustain and propel national and international prominence; this includes meeting EM and LM priorities, developing new and continuing research funding, workforce development, scientific program goals, operational support, and scientific infrastructure needs.

Serve as the primary liaison to DOE-EM and DOE-LM executive leadership, DOE-EM site offices, and other key sponsors, providing thought leadership about new technology frontiers and ensuring that client needs and expectations are met.

Promote a culture of scientific excellence maintaining the highest standards of scientific output and research integrity, while performing work in a safe and secure manner.

Proactively promote principles of stewardship and inclusion, valuing the diverse inputs and knowledge of staff.

Contribute as a key member of the SRNL Senior Leadership Team to the formulation and execution of the Laboratory’s strategic priorities and initiatives.

Develop research programs and strategic partnerships with other national laboratories, colleges, and universities, other research institutions, and public and private corporations.

Drive strategic initiatives for the directorate including use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to provide efficient solutions based on processing and predictive data.

Implement operational standards to meet the expectations of the Laboratory Agenda and the Annual Lab Plan and steward directorate operations, facilities, capital, and equipment.

Provide direct line management responsibilities for the Environmental & Legacy Management Directorate.

Oversee the recruitment and retention of talent, ensuring a diverse applicant pool and employee workforce.

Promote science education and work to build a pipeline of next generation researchers through outreach and education programs with other national laboratories and learning institutions.

Foster employee development through mentoring, performance management, and succession planning.

Act as the primary Directorate contact, representing the Directorate on Lab-Level committees, task forces, and working groups with a shared responsibility for the overall lab-wide science and technology strategy.

Integrate and implement commercialization activities through the Laboratory’s business plan and strategies.

Develop communications strategies across the directorate on multi-disciplinary programs and initiatives.

Effectively communicate relevant information to key internal and external stakeholders.

Lead community engagement activities to support regional and national stakeholders.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Ph.D. or equivalent experience in a technical field related to research conducted in a large Division or Directorate with 5-10 years of demonstrated executive management experience, including developing and leading large complex and multidisciplinary programs.

More than 15 years of professional experience in environmental management programs.

Nationally recognized record of leadership and accomplishments in a relevant environmental management field.

Successful track record as a visionary and collaborative leader, with demonstrated management experience, including developing and leading large, complex, and multidisciplinary programs and organizations.

Experience developing and implementing a strategic vision and plan, making high-level strategic decisions, and gaining consensus toward unified goals.

Strong stakeholder management skills, including ability to establish relationships with key internal and external stakeholders and effectively navigate complex organizations.

Proven ability to communicate with individuals effectively and skillfully as well as with small to large teams.

For ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q security clearance, US Citizenship is Legally Required

Preferred Qualifications:

Publications in peer reviewed journals and related waste management publications.

Experience with the DOE, especially with Environmental Management Programs.

Advanced degree in a science or engineering field.

Possession of DOE level Q clearance.

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