Communications Manager

Pg&e; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 114,156 - 142,668; Full time

Job summary

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's Advanced Light Source (ALS) is seeking a Communications Manager to establish priorities and lead their execution. You will supervise a small team of communications professionals, manage resources and budget, and lead development of science highlights, articles, multimedia, newsletters, and social media to highlight ALS research.

You will coordinate with Strategic Communications, promote ALS capabilities to diverse audiences, and represent the facility at

Qualifications

• 10 years of relevant professional experience, preferably in a science research setting.
• Significant knowledge and understanding of contemporary communication tools and tactics.
• Ability to translate complex science into lay language.
• Ability to work independently, creatively formulate and execute goals, and solve problems effectively.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, and guiding employees to produce timely, high-quality outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Supervise ALS Communications Group staff and manage resources and budget.
• Develop and deliver science highlights, articles, multimedia, newsletters, and social media posts to disseminate scientific achievements and updates.
• Develop and execute communication initiatives to promote ALS’s mission and capabilities.
• Oversee the content, development, and maintenance of ALS websites and programmatic sites.
• Collaborate with the ALS User Office on outreach initiatives and annual User Meeting communications.
• Represent the ALS in tours, meetings, conferences, and outreach events.
• Advise ALS leadership on messaging for high-level meetings and visits.
• Coordinate production of large-scale proposals, reports, and review materials; edit and design as needed.
• Engage with leadership and staff to stay updated on scientific outcomes and facility updates.
• Coordinate with Berkeley Lab Strategic Communications and counterparts across the Laboratory.

Skills

Supervision & mentoring

Strategic communications

Stakeholder engagement

Written communication

Public outreach

Project management

Job description

Full job description Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s (LBNL) Advanced Light Source (ALS) Division has an opening for a Communications Manager to join the team. In this role, you will establish the ALS’s communications priorities and lead their execution. As a member of the ALS management team supervising a small team of communications professionals, you will manage the development and delivery of communication products and outreach activities to highlight the facility’s capabilities and amplify high‑impact research carried out by ALS scientific users and staff. You will be responsible for promoting ALS activities to a diverse set of audiences, including the international research community, the Department of Energy, other light‑source facilities, and the general public. You will also coordinate with communications staff from other parts of Berkeley Lab, as well as counterparts at other DOE user facilities and light sources around the world. The Advanced Light Source is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national scientific user facility whose excellent scientific reputation, expert staff, and capabilities in the soft x‑ray, hard x‑ray, and infrared regimes attract over 1,600 academic and industrial users each year in disciplines spanning physical, chemical, materials, biological, energy, and Earth sciences. It is one of five Berkeley Lab user facilities that serve a combined 11,000 users annually. The co‑location of these user facilities – including the Molecular Foundry Nanoscale Science Research Center and the NERSC scientific computing center, as well as Berkeley Lab's outstanding programs in materials and chemical sciences – offers a prime environment for collaborative science. The ALS has been a global leader in soft x‑ray science for more than two decades and is currently undergoing a large‑scale upgrade (ALS‑U) that will endow the facility with state‑of‑the‑art x‑ray capabilities. It’s an exciting time to join our growing team!

What You Will Do:

• Supervise and mentor the ALS Communications Group staff, setting operational objectives, delegating assignments, and managing resources and budget.
• Manage the development of various communication products including science highlights, articles, multimedia, printed materials, newsletters, and social media posts to disseminate scientific achievements, operational updates, and plans to diverse audiences.
• Develop and execute communication initiatives to promote the ALS’s mission, capabilities, and accomplishments.
• Oversee the content, development, and maintenance of ALS websites, including public‑facing sites, intranet, and programmatic sites.
• Collaborate with the ALS User Office to develop and execute outreach initiatives for existing and potential new users, including overseeing communications for the annual User Meeting.
• Represent the ALS and articulate its achievements and capabilities in tours, meetings, conferences, and outreach events.
• Support ALS leadership in communications needs, including advising on messaging to key stakeholders and preparing materials for high‑level meetings and visits.
• Manage the production of large‑scale proposals, reports, and review materials, coordinating content development, editing, and design.
• Regularly engage with ALS leadership, staff, and external scientific users to stay updated on scientific outcomes and facility updates.
• Coordinate with Berkeley Lab Strategic Communications and relevant counterparts across the Laboratory to promote ALS capabilities and accomplishments.
• Engage with counterparts across the Laboratory and in cross‑light‑source collaborations to coordinate efforts and share best practices.

What is Required:

• 10 years of relevant professional work experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, preferably in a science research setting.
• Significant knowledge and understanding of contemporary communication tools and tactics, preferably applied in a government or science research context.
• Understanding and appreciation for publicly supported scientific research with the ability to translate complex science into lay language.
• Ability to work independently, creatively formulate and execute goals, and solve problems effectively.
• Experience in effectively supervising, mentoring, and guiding employees to produce timely, high‑quality outcomes.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, from complex, long‑term projects to daily duties and urgent requests with tight deadlines.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Professional presence and highly effective interpersonal skills enabling communication with a diverse community of scientists, technical, and administrative staff.

Notes:

• For full consideration, please apply by May 6th, 2024.
• This is a full‑time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• This position is expected to pay $114,156–$142,668, which fits within the full salary range of $114,156–$192,612 for the P40.2. Salary will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualifications and experience.
• This position may be 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.
• This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule, at least 3 days per week on site at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. Individuals working a hybrid schedule must reside within 150 miles of Berkeley Lab.

Working at Berkeley Lab offers a competitive compensation program, excellent health and welfare programs, a retirement program that is second to none, and outstanding development opportunities.

Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) and strives to build community with these shared values and commitments.

Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity andAffirmative Action Employer. We heartily welcome applications from women, minorities, veterans, and all who would contribute to the Lab’s mission of leading scientific discovery, inclusion, and professionalism.

In support of our diverse 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, or protected veteran status.