Director - Laboratory Directed Research and Development Program - Active Clearance Required

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 dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$390,690 - $497,988 Annually

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage.  An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Job Description

We're looking for a Director for the Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program. In this position, you will be responsible for managing the LDRD annual budget of over $180M and overseeing the LDRD proposal, review, and selection process for approximately 300 LDRD proposals each year. In this capacity, you will work closely with all Laboratory organizations to ensure a highly responsive and competitive R&D portfolio. This position reports to the Deputy Director for Science and Technology.

LLNL’s LDRD investment portfolio includes frontier-expanding projects in high-energy-density science; high-performance computing, simulation, and data science; advanced materials and manufacturing; bioscience and bioengineering; nuclear, chemical, and isotopic science; lasers and optical technologies; and earth and atmospheric science. LDRD is a vital component of the Laboratory’s ability to maintain its world-class scientific and technical expertise and to enable advancements to meet national security mission needs. LDRD is also one of the foremost means of attracting, training, and retaining talented new technical staff.

This position offers a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You will have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.

You will

• Manage the LDRD Program to ensure a robust, high-quality, and innovative research portfolio aligned with LLNL’s strategic vision and research priorities, leveraging excellent scientific judgment to guide Program decisions.
• Oversee the annual LDRD proposal, review, and selection process, ensuring each project aligns with LLNL missions and science and technology objectives, and fosters engagement, collaboration, and innovation across the Laboratory.
• Develop and establish policies and guidelines for the LDRD Program, ensuring effective implementation while supporting LLNL’s strategic investment needs and priorities.
• Track, report, and assess the outcomes and long-term impacts of LDRD-funded research projects, providing transparency and accountability to LLNL management and external stakeholders.
• Lead interactions with senior leadership, DOE Headquarters, the NNSA Livermore Field Office (LFO), congressional staff, and other national laboratories, preparing reports, briefings, and fostering alignment and collaboration across the DOE complex.
• Facilitate strategic partnerships and collaboration across Laboratory organizations and the DOE complex to ensure the excellence and impact of LDRD projects as well as their alignment with Laboratory priorities.
• Oversee the execution of the LDRD portfolio with the support of two rotating deputy positions, ensuring diverse perspectives and expertise that support LDRD Program responsiveness, innovation, and excellence.
• Execute and enable a transparent and collaborative process and program that engages LLNL staff at all levels and promotes innovative work of the highest quality.
• Ensure budgets, schedules, and performance standards are realistically set and attained, meeting all Laboratory and DOE objectives and requirements while maintaining Program integrity and efficiency.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• This position requires an active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at the time of hire.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access. Please note that any current active Q or Top Secret clearance with DOE or another agency does not guarantee DOE SCI access approval; if you are denied access, you may be subject to reinvestigation of your