Company Description
Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!
Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.
We are committed to a diverse and equitable workforce with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, experiences, and perspectives. This is important for continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.
Pay Range
$220,890 - $283,692 Annually
Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting starting pay including education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.
Job Description
We’re looking for a
Strategic Improvement Manager who will drive organizational effectiveness through comprehensive plan development, oversight, and execution of institutional projects. In this role, you will serve as an expert in development and planning and bear responsibility for oversight and strategy for the following functions: business process improvement/continuous improvement, institutional policy management, strategic project management, communication, change management, and relationship management. You will ensure a seamless alignment between the objectives and vision of laboratory initiatives and the four key pillars outlined in the laboratory's strategic plan, while also fostering collaborative communication between executive leadership and enable project teams to efficiently and effectively execute their mission.
You will
- Collaborate with technical staff to design and implement improvement strategies, executing pilot projects to ensure sustainable results that align with laboratory goals and enhance operational efficiency and quality.
- Plan, execute, and oversee key initiatives aligned with laboratory objectives and key results (OKRs). Leverage strategic thinking to drive project success, coordinate cross-functional teams, and ensure efficient resource allocation.
- Engage with technical teams to understand workflows and challenges, facilitating workshops and brainstorming sessions to foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovative solutions to technical challenges.
- Develop and implement a robust data analytics framework to analyze data, mitigate risks, and communicate insights effectively with stakeholders, influencing decision-making and achieving project milestones.
- Integrate data science capabilities into LabWatch to enhance monitoring and analysis, track portfolio projects, and provide senior-level advisement on the strategic direction of Policy Management and Continuous Improvement initiatives.
- Communicate issues and performance trends to Laboratory leadership, presenting and advising senior management on overall impact and approach. Serve as the subject matter expert on advanced concepts and large technical projects, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
- Design and deploy a comprehensive change management framework, establish a change champion network, and leverage technical skills to drive organizational change. Develop and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders, design communication strategies, and provide technical leadership and mentorship to a team of professionals.
- Lead the establishment of the institutional Policy Office and associated policy management. Provide clear leadership by developing and implementing governance and procedures to achieve institutional objectives, ensuring comprehensive policy compliance management by incorporating DOE Orders, M&O contract requirements, and applicable regulations.
- Utilize technical, operational, and management knowledge to ensure effective operation and adherence to compliance standards. Drive alignment between business and technology by leveraging advanced process improvement methodologies to enhance technical operations.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
- Bachelors degree in engineering, scientific or other relevant technical area or the equivalent combination education and extensive related technical and/or operational experience.
- Experience in performance management and supervision of technical, scientific, and administrative staff, including performance issues, career development, and annual performance appraisals.
- Deep understanding of technical operations, practices, challenges, and capabilities with the ability to identify and prioritize improvement opportunities.
- Extensive experience leading large complex technical projects involving multiple customers and diverse professional disciplines, with demonstrated ability to engage effectively with technical personnel to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
- Expert technical and organizational problem-solving, decision-making and analytical skills necessary to independently interpret, advise, effectively change, and implement solutions to complex problems with broad implications.
- Expert communication and collaboration skills necessary to effectively present, explain, and advise project teams, senior management, external sponsors, regulators, reviewers, and stakeholders on technical and/or operational information including translating broad strategies into objectives, action plans, and deliverables, and influencing and facilitating sustained change.
- Able to interpret and communicate, both verbally and in writing, highly complex, and often highly technical information in a clear and concise manner.
- Strong facilitation and influencing skills at all levels, utilizing logical reasoning and appealing to positive motivations.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, agendas, engagements, and tasks while effectively navigating ambiguity and resolving conflicts in a productive manner.
- Subject Matter Expert in project management or implementation of continuous improvement programs within a highly technical and complex environment.
- Ability to build and lead highly effective, motivated, and productive teams.
- Ability to lead and work independently.
Qualifications We Desire
- Working knowledge of Laboratory programs, functional organizations and business systems.
- Knowledge of laboratory management and structure, policies, and processes; an understanding of Laboratory mission and business trends; and an understanding of Laboratory, Corporate, DOE and/or customer/sponsor requirements.
- Proficient in navigating organizational complexity.
- Significant experience directing strategic and operational project and change management initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively engage, empathize, and connect with diverse business process owners and stakeholders to drive alignment between business and technology and ensure progress of initiatives.
- Superior analytical, problem-solving, project planning, and implementation skills.
- Change Management certification or equivalent experience/training.
- Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification or equivalent experience/training.
Additional Information
Position Information
This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.
Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?
- Included in 2024 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
- Flexible Benefits Package
- 401(k)
- Relocation Assistance
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
- Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity
- Our core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/our-values
- Employee engagement - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/employee-engagement
Security Clearance
This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance. If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.
Pre-Employment Drug Test
External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.
Wireless and Medical Devices
Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.
If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.
How To Identify Fake Job Advertisements
Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.
To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf
Equal Employment Opportunity
We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.
We invite you to review the Equal Employment Opportunity posters which include EEO is the Law and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.
Reasonable Accommodation
Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request.
California Privacy Notice
The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.