Career Pathways Program Manager

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 129,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory seeks a Career Pathways Program Manager to advance its scientific workforce by administering career development, review and promotion processes, and workforce initiatives across divisions.

Reporting to the CPO Director, you will lead communications, training materials, and program events such as the Scientist & Engineering career framework updates, postdoc opportunities, and mid-career engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in HR, higher education admin, public admin, business admin, STEM, education, or related field.
• Minimum of five years' experience administering academic personnel, faculty affairs, career development, or workforce programs.
• Experience coordinating complex programs with multiple stakeholders and policies.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships across multidisciplinary teams and policy guidance to leadership.
• Track record managing workshops, conferences, or institutional events (in person and virtual).
• Ability to analyze program data, evaluate effectiveness, and drive data-informed decisions, while maintaining confidentiality.
• Strong project management, organizational, and time management skills with proficiency in MS Office, Adobe, Google Workspace, Smartsheet.

Responsibilities

• Support implementation and continuous improvement of Berkeley Lab's S&E career framework and related materials.
• Develop, maintain and deliver communications, guidance docs, training materials, web content, and resources.
• Lead planning, coordination, and execution of CPO programs and events (e.g., leadership course, postdoc symposium, mid-career initiatives).
• Manage lifecycle calls and internal reviews for fellowships, awards, and recognition programs.
• Partner with HR, divisions, and stakeholders to implement policies and foster alumni/employer networking.
• Collect, analyze and report metrics to evaluate effectiveness and drive improvements.
• Represent the Career Pathways Office on committees and professional association events.

Skills

Program management

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Data analysis

Communication

Policy implementation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in HR / H.E. Administration / Public Administration / Business Administration / STEM

Tools

Smartsheet

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat

Google Workspace

Institutional databases

Job description

The Career Pathways Office (CPO) within the Laboratory Directorat e at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) is seeking an innovative and collaborative Career Pathways Program Manager. Reporting to the Career Pathways Office Director and working under limited direction, this role advances Berkeley Lab's scientific workforce by administering career advancement programs, review and promotion processes, and workforce development initiatives that support the development, recognition, and retention of world-class scientific talent.

In this role, you will ensure the effective implementation of career advancement policies and programs by collaborating closely with scientific divisions, Human Resources, and Laboratory leadership. You will deliver robust program management, communications, training, and operational support that strengthen career pathways across the Lab, directly impacting the growth and success of researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and early-to-mid-career scientific staff.

We’re here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a supporting role in our goal to address global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!

We invest in our employees by offering a total rewards package you can count on:

• Exceptional health and retirement benefits , including pension or 401K-style plans
• A culture where you’ll belong - we are invested in our teams!
• In addition to accruing vacation and sick time, we also have a Winter Holiday Shutdown every year.
• Parental bonding leave (for both mothers and fathers)

You will:

• Support the implementation and continuous improvement of Berkeley Lab's Scientist & Engineering (S&E) career framework by updating hiring and promotion materials, developing manager resources, preparing communications, and coordinating change management activities.
• Develop, maintain, and deliver engaging communications, presentations, guidance documents, training materials, web content, and organizational resources that support career advancement, academic review, and CPO initiatives.
• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of CPO programs and events, including the Scientific Leadership & Management Skills Course, Postdoc Career Symposium, Berkeley Lab Research SLAM, and mid-career engagement initiatives in partnership with the Mid-Career Advisory Board.
• Manage the full lifecycle call and internal review processes for postdoctoral fellowship opportunities, early-career awards, and scientific recognition programs, including managing timelines and application materials.
• Partner with Human Resources, scientific divisions, and multidisciplinary stakeholders to implement career advancement policies, offer process guidance, and foster networking opportunities with alumni and employers.
• Collect, analyze, and report program metrics to evaluate effectiveness, track outcomes, identify opportunities for improvement, and drive data-informed decision-making.
• Represent the Career Pathways Office on Laboratory committees, working groups, and professional association events.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Higher Education Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration, STEM, Education, Organizational Development, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience administering academic personnel, faculty affairs, career development, workforce development, higher education, or similar institutional programs.
• Experience coordinating complex programs or processes involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and established institutional policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships across multidisciplinary teams, provide programmatic guidance to leadership, and partner effectively with cross-functional partners.
• Track record of planning and implementing workshops, professional development programs, conferences, or institutional events in both in-person and virtual environments.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze program data, evaluate effectiveness, track outcomes, and leverage technology and AI tools to streamline administrative processes while maintaining confidentiality and sound judgment.
• Strong project management, organizational, and time management skills, along with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Google Workspace, project management tools (e.g., Smartsheet), and institutional databases.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with expertise in creating clear guidance documents, presentations, training materials, and web content.

Desired skills/knowledge:

• Advanced degree in Higher Education Administration, Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration, STEM, Education, or a related field.
• Experience supporting academic review, promotion, faculty affairs, scientific workforce, or academic personnel programs within a national laboratory, research university, or complex research organization.
• Experience with change management, policy implementation, or organizational communications.
• Experience administering competitive review, award, fellowship, or recognition programs.
• Experience developing and delivering both in-person and virtual training programs.

Additional information:

• Application date: Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by August 21, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.
• Appointment type: This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• Salary range: The expected salary for this position is $129,000 - $150,000, which fits into the full salary of $114,324 - $192,936 depending upon the candidate’s skills, knowledge, and abilities. This includes education, certifications, and years of experience.
• Background check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work modality: This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule - a combination of teleworking and performing work on site at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. Work schedules are dependent on business needs. Individuals working a hybrid schedule must reside within 150 miles of Berkeley Lab. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here ).
• Work authorization: Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer. For additional information, click here .

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