Requisition Id 16044
Overview:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a Media Relations Manager to lead the laboratory’s media strategy, strengthening the institution’s reputation across key stakeholders. This role serves as ORNL’s primary contact with journalists, driving proactive media approaches that elevate the laboratory’s national and global visibility. The successful candidate will serve as a key liaison with the Department of Energy (DOE) as part of aligning news content and responding to media requests. The manager also will work closely with lab leadership, peers, and others to enhance ORNL’s storytelling across multiple platforms, including ORNL.gov, digital newsletters, and social media.
Major Duties/Responsibilities:
- Lead ORNL’s Media Relations Group by developing and deploying an institutional media strategy aligned with lab priorities, responding to news outlet requests, coaching and advising leadership and staff on media interactions, and handling high-profile media visits and events.
- Serve as the ORNL’s primary contact for the DOE Office of Science clearance process and represent ORNL in DOE meetings related to communications activities across the national laboratory complex.
- Collaborate across the Communications and Community Engagement Directorate to strengthen ORNL’s storytelling through improved alignment with institutional priorities, more efficient workflows, and an increased understanding of lab standards and best practices.
- Leverage new trends, data, and AI to modernize the media relations function, the writing process used across ORNL for news content, and the use of digital newsletters.
- Act as a key contact for communications activities between ORNL and industry partners, other national labs, and universities.
- Serve as a communications expert in managing crises and responding to emergencies.
- Align with other leaders in the External Communications Division to ensure strong coordination in building the division’s ability to effectively reach key stakeholders.
- Oversee editorial standards and processes for externally facing content.
- Draft and edit content related to ORNL’s scientific breakthroughs and other activities of interest to external audiences.
- Monitor media trends and coverage to ensure awareness of leadership and peers.
- 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:
- BS degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum 8 years of experience in public affairs, journalism, communications, and social media, with at least 3 years in a lead role.
- Strong oral and written communication skills; experience working with news reporters and producers.
- Experience with organizational use of social media platforms (Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, LinkedIn).
- Ability to interpret analytics (Google Analytics, EurekAlert).
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills; ability to manage conflict and balance competing demands.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience within the DOE national laboratory system.
- Ability to communicate scientific research to non-scientific audiences.
- Experience leveraging websites, newsletters, and other platforms for external outreach and stakeholder relations.
- Experience managing clearance processes for government or regulated organizations a plus.
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.
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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.
