Earth and Biological Sciences Communications Lead

Overview

Communications creates and provides strategic communications to the Laboratory’s internal and external stakeholders and collaborators. It sets and implements a cohesive strategy to amplify the visibility of PNNL's research and develops standards and efforts that communicate PNNL’s value proposition. In doing so, Communications enhances the Laboratory’s institutional reputation and science and technology agenda. Further, Communications drives employee-focused communications; leads media and outreach to external stakeholders; supports research through robust technical editing, formatting, and graphics support; and protects the Laboratory's reputation through issues management and transparency with news media.

Responsibilities

Help craft and execute a comprehensive communications strategy that elevates the visibility of PNNL’s Earth and biological sciences work with sponsors, collaborators, peers, and prospective employees!

We’re seeking a senior-level communicator who can collaborate with and lead other communicators in support of our Earth and Biological Sciences Directorate (EBSD); serve as the primary communications advisor and executive communications support to the EBSD Leadership Team, including EBSD’s Associate Laboratory Director, Program Development Office Director, and Chief Science and Technology Officer; and represent EBSD when coordinating across the Communications Division to meet key strategic requests from the PNNL Leadership Team.

In this role, you’ll leverage your talents in weaving efforts together for greater impact, and your strengths in communications strategy, planning, and project management. You will propose an annual communications strategy, craft the annual communications budget, and guide the efforts of other EBSD-aligned communicators as they support the overarching vision with localized communications efforts throughout the year. You will also manage EBSD-wide campaigns and events and serve as the EBSD communications point-person for larger events that span multiple PNNL directorates.

The Ideal Candidate

You are a listener, convener, creator, and one who can make sense of numerous—sometimes divergent—ideas, priorities, and requests, weaving them into a comprehensive strategic plan that drives business outcomes. You have a passion for science and technology and enthusiasm for PNNL’s work in atmospheric and climate sciences, biological sciences, and environmental molecular sciences. You’re excited to work with researchers, team with them, and activate them as expert advisors and communications ambassadors. With a constant eye on a top-level vision/strategy, you are confident and comfortable guiding others, from senior S&T leaders to junior communications staff.

Job Complexity

You will set communications direction to uplift and reinforce EBSD’s strategy—externally and internally—in priority areas. You will develop, coordinate, and implement innovative ideas to enhance business results for EBSD with its key stakeholders. You will anticipate trends, opportunities, and stories.

Interaction

You will have significant exposure to the EBSD Leadership Team, EBSD researchers and staff, the Communications Division, and some external contacts. You will build consensus, function as a project leader, and give direction to other staff. You will demonstrate sound judgement on what issues need to be elevated to EBSD or Communications leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain outstanding relationships with the EBSD Leadership Team, including the Associate Laboratory Director, Program Development Office Director, and Chief Science and Technology Officer.
• With EBSD leadership, define internal and external communications priorities and stories that drive business outcomes and elevate EBSD's reputation with stakeholders.
• Produce a comprehensive, annual strategic communications plan that prioritizes the most high-impact efforts and ties together EBSD communications efforts at all levels of the organization.
• Create and maintain EBSD's communications calendar and budget.
• Respond to-and often personally handle-requests for high-level communications support from the EBSD Leadership Team, including presentations, talking points, reports, all-staff messages, etc.
• Prioritize for amplification the most important, newsworthy, and impressive facets of EBSD's capabilities, people, and work; collaborate with the EBSD communications team and the PNNL newsroom to maintain a pipeline of EBSD stories.
• Oversee the use and integrity of the EBSD research highlights database.
• Plan and lead the communications efforts for events where EBSD has a large role or interest; collaborate on directorate-wide events, campaigns, and efforts.
• Maintain a keen understanding of EBSD's audiences, including funding sponsors, scientific associations, external collaborators, trade media, and other stakeholders.
• Leverage and maintain familiarity with trends in the industry; collaborate with EBSD's Program Development Office to track what collaborators, partners, and competitors are doing or saying; be proactive in proposing new ideas for reputation building and amplification.
• Align with and support the PNNL brand through all EBSD communications efforts/products.
• Collaborate with communications managers at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement and Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory user facilities to seek out collaboration and cross promotion opportunities.
• Collaborate with staff throughout the Communications Division to resource and execute the work, ensure quality, and adhere to brand standards.
  

Additional Responsibilities

• Take the lead in problem solving to remove distractions and barriers to progress; provide strategic direction, context, and clarity to fellow EBSD communicators.
• Report regularly to EBSD and Communications leadership on EBSD communications projects and priorities.
• Take on additional work and duties within job family expectations, as assigned by your line manager.
  

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 7+ years of relevant work experience -OR-
• MS/MA and 5+ years of relevant work experience -OR-
• PhD with 3+ year of relevant experience
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading a team of senior communicators through influence or line authority.
• Talent to translate business goals to communications strategy.
• Confident executive presence with a track record of effective collaboration with and strategic support for senior executives.
• A basic understanding of the U.S. Department of Energy's Biology and Environmental Research program, as well as audiences, challenges, opportunities, and trends in Earth and biological sciences.
• Exposure to conferences and events of importance in this domain; experience planning an entity's event presence to maximize visibility and engagement with attendees.
• Metrics-minded, with experience defining and tracking KPIs to prove value of communications efforts.
• Comfort and familiarity working with scientists and engineers.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, matrixed environment as a liaison, convener, and project manager.
• Familiarity with project management principles and tools to track job progress.
• Experience working with a creative services team/creative director and with a news team.
• Power user of common software (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Teams).
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal skills.
  

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

Not Applicable

Additional Information

Not Applicable

Testing Designated Position

Not Applicable

About PNNL

Pacific 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, flexible work schedules and telework options. 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, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Equal Employment Opportunity

Our laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment dedicated to solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. In support of this commitment, we encourage people of all racial/ethnic identities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), 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 [email protected].

Drug Free Workplace

PNNL 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.

Mandatory Requirements

Please 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 Rewards

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, 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 401k savings plan. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

• Research Associates excluded.
• Once eligibility requirements are met
  

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