Energy and Environment Communications Lead

Overview

PNNL’s Communications organization comprises over 100 talented communications professionals committed to elevating PNNL’s reputation, inspiring action, and engaging audiences by transforming the Lab’s science into influential communications and compelling stories.

Responsibilities

We are seeking a senior-level communicator who can imagine and execute communication strategies that strengthen the understanding, impact, and reach of PNNL’s energy and environment work among select stakeholders. As the lead planner for comprehensive communications strategy for PNNL’s Energy and Environment Directorate (EED), you will pair your experience in communications strategy with your knowledge of the sponsors, stakeholders, and opportunities in coastal sciences, Earth systems science, electricity infrastructure, energy processes and materials, nuclear sciences, and more.

Working with teammates in PNNL’s wider communications division, you will represent the mission, vision, and preferences of our EED leaders to execute communications work that drives reputation and business growth. You will lead or contribute to a variety of communications activities—events, campaigns, tours, visits, promotional opportunities, presentations, etc.—to support EED and its goals internally and externally.

Prime candidates will naturally be able to engage, elevate, and inspire others—core tenets of PNNL’s Communications and External Engagement mission. Engage PNNL stakeholders to foster meaningful connections between them and our science and technology mission and accelerate our impact. Elevate our institutional reputation and impact locally, regionally, nationally, and globally to position PNNL as a leader in mission-driven science and innovation. Inspire 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.

You are a listener, convener, creator, and one who can make sense of numerous—sometimes divergent—ideas, priorities, and requests. You have a passion for strategic communications plus enthusiasm and experience in related EED topic areas. You understand how to engage with leaders and channel their ideas, preferences, business goals, and feedback into strategic communications plans that deliver results.

Key Responsibilities 

• Overarching planning and executive support:Build and maintain outstanding relationships with EED leaders and researchers.
• Provide excellent communications counsel and support to the Associated Lab Director (ALD) for EED and the wider EED leadership team; Serve as the ALD’s primary communications contact.
• Respond to—and often personally handle—requests for high-level communications support including briefing documents, presentations, talking points, reports, all-staff messages, and other communications.
• Develop, present, and gain approval from researchers and leaders on comprehensive communications plans that provide lift to EED’s business goals.
• Create and track EED’s annual communications budget.
• Set goals for communications efforts and track impact.
• Maintain a keen understanding of PNNL’s audiences, including funding sponsors, external collaborators/partners, and other stakeholders; understand sponsor requirements and preferences and how they can impact communications opportunities.
• Foster transparency and collaboration by communicating often with your teammates, EED leadership, and communications leadership about your communications projects and priorities.
• Foster an understanding of, and support for, strategic communications:
• Socialize lab-level communications priorities with EED leaders and researchers and integrate them into EED communications strategies and activities.
• Manage up, down, and across through influence to broaden the understanding and integration of lab-level communications priorities, the adherence to Communications best practices, and the observance of PNNL style/branding standards.
• Production management:
• Initiate, enroll others in, traffic manage, and successfully execute communications strategies/activities that further EED’s business goals among specific audiences. Your work may include producing plans or content for communications campaigns, conferences, video projects, engagements, lab tours and visits, social media, internal correspondence, and more.
• Plan and lead the communications efforts for events where EED has a large role or interest; collaborate on directorate-wide events, campaigns, and efforts
• Coordinate across teams—with News and Media, Creative and Editorial Communications, Internal Communications, Institutional Communications, and others—to activate communications tactics, enforce standard workflows, and carry out best practices for project and event communications.
• Problem solving:
• Provide advice and counsel to the EED ALD on communications matters (both opportunities and challenges).
• Assist your Team Lead in problem solving to remove distractions and barriers to progress; provide strategic direction, context, and clarity to other communicators.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Take on additional work and duties within job family expectations, as assigned by your line manager.
• Some travel may be required.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 7+ years of relevant experience -OR-
• MS/MA and 5+ years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong customer service orientation with exceptional attention to detail and follow through.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal skills.
• Talent to translate business goals to communications strategy.
• Strong executive presence and confidence to work with and advise senior executives.
• Track record of effective collaboration with and strategic support for senior executives, including offering counsel and building consensus.
• Good judgement and careful nature when dealing with high-risk or high-visibility opportunities/challenges.
• Talent managing up, down, and across an organization through influence.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment as a liaison, convener, and project manager; able to “projectize” plans into a suite of scheduled deliverables; familiar with the use of project management tools to track job progress.
• Metrics-minded, with experience defining and tracking KPIs to prove value of communications efforts.
• Comfortable working with scientists and engineers.
• Power user of common software (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Teams); experience with or knowledge of content management systems (Drupal, SharePoint).

Additional Information

Not Applicable. 

Testing Designated Position

This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).

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 careers@pnnl.gov.

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. 

HSPD-12 PIV Credential Requirement

In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

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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Notice to Applicants

PNNL 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 Salary

USD $103,500.00/Yr.

Maximum Salary

USD $160,200.00/Yr.

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