OverviewAt PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.
Our directorates related to Mission Support & Operations include Office of General Counsel, Business Services, Communications and External Engagement, Operational Systems, Computing and Information Technology, and Performance Management.
Communications and External Engagement (CXE) engages PNNL staff and key stakeholders to amplify meaningful connections between our science and technology mission to accelerate our impact and elevates PNNL’s institutional reputation and impact locally, regionally, nationally, and globally to position PNNL as a leader in mission-driven science and innovation. CXE also inspires stakeholders and staff by facilitating and showcasing PNNL’s scientific leadership, national influence, community commitments, and service to advance the frontiers of knowledge and our distinguished staff.
PNNL’s Communications team engages internal and external stakeholders through strategic communication efforts that support mission outcomes. Working to elevate the reputation and visibility of PNNL, through world-class experts and bold science mission, we aim to inspire stakeholders and to build awareness of the PNNL’s science impact.
PNNL’s Communications organization is committed to elevating PNNL’s reputation, inspiring action, and engaging audiences by transforming the Lab’s science, mission, and impact into influential communications and compelling stories.
We are seeking a senior communications strategist whoadvises leaders, shapes communications priorities, and develops and executesintegrated communications strategies that advance organizational objectives. This role combines relationship management, executive communications, leadership engagement, and strategic communications planning to support directorate priorities while reinforcing enterprise communications strategies and standards.
As a Relationship Manager (RM), you will serve as the primary communications advisor to an assigned directorate, partnering with leaders to translate organizational priorities into strategic communications for diverse audiences. Working with teammates across Communications, you will lead and execute executive messaging, strategic initiatives, campaigns, events, stakeholder engagement efforts, and other high-visibility communications activities.
Planning, Relationship Management, and Executive Support:
- Establish and maintain trusted advisor relationships with directorate leaders, researchers, communicators, and key stakeholders.
- Serve as the primary communications relationship lead for an assigned directorate, ensuring communications priorities align with directorate and enterprise objectives.
- Provide strategic communications counsel to senior leaders including, executive communications, presentations, talking points, reports, leadership correspondence, all-staff messages, and other high-visibility communications.
- Lead development, of integrated communications strategies and plans that support organizational priorities and business goals.
- Guide communications prioritization, service levels, and resource allocations based on strategic value, organizational impact and enterprise objectives.
- Maintain visibility into communications portfolios, priorities, budgets, timelines, and outcomes.
- Define and evaluate measures of communications effectiveness.
- Proactively identify communications opportunities, risks, and emerging issues and provide actionable recommendations.
- Foster transparency and collaboration by communicating proactively with directorate leadership, communications colleagues, and Communications leadership regarding priorities, progress, risks, and opportunities.
Strategic Alignment and Communications Excellence:
- Ensure directorate communications priorities align with enterprise communications strategies, standards, and operating models.
- Reinforce communications best practices, governance expectations, and PNNL style and branding standards.
- Represent Communications within leadership environments with credibility, professionalism, and sound judgment.
- Drive integration across communications functions to ensure a coordinated client experience.
- Influence decisions through trusted relationships, strategic counsel, and data-informed recommendations.
Communications Integration and Delivery:
- Lead or coordinate communications planning and integration efforts that support leadership priorities and organizational objectives.
- Direct and, coordinate communications efforts across functional teams, including executive communications, campaigns, events, presentations, internal communications, stakeholder communications, and other strategic initiatives.
- Align communications resources, expertise, and workflows across Communications functions to ensure effective execution and enterprise consistency.
- Ensure communications efforts advance strategic objectives, maintain quality standards, and deliver measurable value.
Problem Solving and Strategic Counsel:
- Identify barriers to success and recommend solutions that improve alignment, decision-making and organizational effectiveness.
- Support enterprise-level coordination by elevating cross-organizational opportunities, risks, overlaps, and communications impacts.
- Provide Communications leadership with insights regarding directorate priorities, emerging risks, strategic opportunities, and communications effectiveness.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Perform other duties consistent with the scope and level of the position.
QualificationsMinimum Qualifications:
- BS/BA and 9+ years of communications experience -OR-
- MS/MA and 7+ years of communications experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated ability to build trusted advisor relationships and deliver strategic communications counsel to senior leaders.
- Demonstrated ability to translate organizational priorities and business goals into strategic communications approaches.
- Strong prioritization and decision-making skills, including the ability to balance competing demands and focus resources on highest-value opportunities.
- Experience coordinating complex communications portfolios, campaigns, or stakeholder engagement efforts.
- Strong judgment and discretion when handling sensitive, high-visibility, or high-risk communications matters.
- Demonstrated ability to influence decisions, drive alignment, and achieve outcomes without direct authority.
- Experience developing executive communications and supporting leadership engagement strategies.
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment as a strategist, advisor, integrator and leader of complex communications efforts. .
- Metrics-minded, with experience defining and tracking KPIs to evaluate communications effectiveness and impact.
- Familiarity with or experience supporting communications within energy, environmental, scientific, engineering, research, or technology-focused organizations preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to build credibility and influence with scientific, technical, and executive audiences.
- Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
Hazardous Working Conditions/EnvironmentNot Applicable
Testing Designated PositionThis is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).
About PNNLPacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!
At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.
Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment OpportunityOur laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov.
Drug Free WorkplacePNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.
If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.
Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility RequirementsAs a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
For foreign national candidates:
If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement thereafter, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.
Mandatory RequirementsPlease be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.
Rockstar RewardsEmployees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.
* Research Associates excluded.
**All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.
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Notice to ApplicantsPNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.
As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.
Minimum SalaryUSD $126,300.00/Yr.
Maximum SalaryUSD $199,600.00/Yr.
