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Berkeley Lab · 1 day ago

Deputy Chief Operating Officer

Berkeley, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

$325K/yr - $400K/yr

20+ years exp

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is seeking a Deputy Chief Operating Officer to provide strategic and technical leadership in advancing Lab-wide operational strategies. This role involves ensuring high-quality and compliant operations, fostering collaboration across divisions, and managing institutional performance and risks to support the Laboratory's scientific mission.

Research

No H1B

Security Clearance Required

U.S. Citizen Only

Hiring Manager

Jackie Oberly

Responsibilities

Serve as a key member of the Operations Leadership Team, acting as a designee for the DLD/COO to enable and implement institutional operational strategies and priorities

Coordinate Lab-wide coordination of major operational initiatives, resolve crosscutting challenges, and oversee high-visibility, Lab-wide strategic projects

Develop high-impact briefings on operational posture, risks, and progress for senior leadership and internal and external stakeholders

In partnership with the DLD/COO and Operations leadership, monitor institutional-level performance indicators to anticipate, detect, and mitigate emerging risks and trends that could negatively affect mission execution, compliance expectations, or the Laboratory’s standing with DOE

Partner with Lab Division Directors to evaluate and improve operational systems (e.g., work planning, assurance mechanisms, project execution interfaces) to identify institutional gaps, opportunities for improvement, and implementation strategies with a keen sense of urgency

This role requires developing and sustaining productive, positive relationships with leadership and colleagues across the Laboratory in support of the research mission

Partner with the DLD/COO to model and promote a respectful, supportive, mission-aligned, and enabling culture

Provide coaching and mentoring to Operations leaders

Support Operations Division Directors to maintain highly collaborative, problem-solving, and mission-focused leadership teams and continually evolve organizational capabilities to meet changing organizational requirements

Facilitate cross-organizational collaboration, transparency, and trust between Operations and Science

Serve as a visible leader who models professionalism, accountability, constructive engagement, and a sense of urgency in a complex institutional environment

Build and maintain strong working relationships with senior leaders across LBNL, DOE, UC National Laboratories, and external partners

Assist in navigating the Laboratory’s tripartite governance structure (DOE–UCNL–LBNL) and advocate for continued infrastructure modernization and operational investment

Promote "One Lab" alignment between Science and Operations

Qualification

Operational excellenceFederal oversight navigationLeadership experienceStrategic judgmentAdvanced degreeRisk managementCommunication skillsTrust buildingCoachingCultural changeStakeholder engagementCollaborationProblem-solvingNegotiationMentoring

Required

20+ years of demonstrated progressively responsible leadership experience in complex, highly regulated, scientific, research, FFRDC, or mission-driven organizations

Advanced degree in a scientific, engineering, or relevant technical field; or equivalent combination of education and experience

Demonstrated success leading large, multidisciplinary organizations and delivering measurable institutional outcomes with clear accountability for results

Demonstrated experience navigating federal oversight environments (DOE, NASA, DoD, or similar FFRDC environments) and working effectively with regulatory and governance stakeholders

Extensive demonstrated experience in technical areas enabling operational excellence across multiple domains in at least three of the following critical technical areas: Facility management and maintenance, engineering, capital project management, security, emergency management, IT, budget/finance, human resources, organizational culture change, represented workforce and unions, multiple EHS disciplines, safety culture, and/or institutional risk and performance management

Strong strategic judgment with the ability to integrate scientific needs, operational constraints, regulatory expectations, and institutional priorities to solve problems and implement timely and productive solutions

Ability to build trust, influence outcomes, and successfully negotiate solutions to complex problems with senior internal and external stakeholders

Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to deliver concise, actionable, executive-level briefings under pressure

Commitment to upholding the Laboratory's stewardship principles, especially with regard to the Lab's research, people, and resources, and ensuring that it remains a valuable national asset

Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE “Q” Clearance (Top Secret equivalent)