Director - Site Operations

National Laboratory of the Rockies; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 173,000 - 311,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Disability insurance (short/long-term)

Pension benefits (401(k)/403(b))

Paid time off & holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden, CO seeks a Director of Site Operations to provide strategic leadership for facilities and operations. The role manages the site-wide budget, policy implementation, and a large workforce of engineers, trades, and support staff across multiple locations.

The successful candidate will drive operations excellence, safety, compliance, and collaboration with DOE and CMEI stakeholders, ensuring reliable, cost-effective energy research infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Experience in program strategy, development and implementation.
• Extensive knowledge of the renewable energy industry and related regulations.
• Strong budgeting and negotiation skills.
• Ability to lead large, diverse teams and manage multi-site operations.
• DOE Q security clearance or ability to obtain one.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for Site Operations and manage the site-wide budget.
• Lead a workforce of ~150 staff and multiple subcontractors.
• Oversee facility operations, engineering, maintenance, planning, and project management.
• Ensure compliance with safety, security and regulatory requirements.
• Represent the organization in DOE-related reporting and relationships.

Skills

Management

Budgeting

Strategy

Communication

Leadership

Policy & Compliance

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

AutoCAD

FM:Systems

FIMS/CAIS

Job description

Working at NLR

NLR is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development. Join the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NLR stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth. At NLR, you'll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.

Posting Title

Director - Site Operations

Location

CO - Golden

Position Type

Regular

Hours Per Week

40

Job Description

The Site Operations Director position reports directly to the Associate Laboratory Director of Facilities and Operations. The successful candidate must have significant knowledge and experience in operations and facility management and will provide strategic direction, leadership, and management for the Site Operations organization.

The Site Operations Director manages the Site wide budget, initiating and enforcing organization-wide policies and procedures that support the infrastructure at NLR to accomplish research. The successful candidate for this position will have an outstanding record of accomplishment and will be comfortable tackling issues impacting growth and operational execution.

Role

The Site Operations Director will also play a key role in the direction, management, and safety of the business, including the ability to provide leadership and direction for an organization of approximately 150 staff with technical management of numerous full-time and other revolving subcontractors including:

• Facility operations and maintenance.
• Facility and infrastructure engineering.
• Work Planning & Control.
• Project management and construction.
• Campus planning and utility infrastructure modeling and forecasting.
• Space planning and move management.
• Real property leasing and management; real property condition assessment and inventory.
• Shipping and Receiving Operations.
• Personal Property management.
• Stockroom and warehouse operations.
• Machine shops.
• Grounds, cafeteria, shuttle and charter transportation, and janitorial services.
• Government vehicle/fleet management.

These functions service more than 3500 staff located at five primary locations encompassing 650 acres, 50+ buildings, and associate infrastructure and test pads and provide direction and resources to ensure operational efficiency.

The Site Operations Director position requires excellent communication, decision-making, project management and planning skills with an unquestionably high ethical standard and attention to reputation and compliance risks. Demonstrated ability to collaborate with constituents at all levels in the organization, attention to detail, talent development, and succession planning for the Site Operations organization.

Additionally, this position must sustain and build an effective working relationship with the Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Critical Materials and Energy Innovation (CMEI), Office of Engineering and Construction Management (OECM) organizations and respond to requests for information and provide DOE required reports.

A successful leader at NLR embodies the following personal competencies:

• Courage: Act decisively to tackle difficult problems and persevere in the face of adversity.
• Critical Decision Making: Make sound choices in a timely manner.
• Credibility: Earn and maintain trust by influencing with integrity, honesty, and transparency.
• Coaching: Provide guidance and support to help others develop, learn, and grow.
• Compassion: Show genuine interest, sensitivity, and empathy to employees’ needs.
• Communication: Speak, write and listen clearly and consistently.

Basic Qualifications

Previous management and budget administration experience required. Program strategy, development and implementation experience required. Degree in appropriate field is required. Extensive knowledge of the renewable energy industry, as appropriate, as well as regulations, principles, procedures and practices of relevant discipline(s). Solves variety of multi-dimensional problems in absence of guidelines or precedents. Models and embeds NLR values. Keeps abreast of key issues affecting respective Center/Office industry discipline(s). Builds effective teams; creates strong morale and spirit; shares wins and successes. Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and direct personnel with diverse skills, work styles and values, both directly and through subordinate management.

• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of the laws, regulations, principles, procedures, and practices of relevant discipline. Superior interpersonal skills as well as excellent communication (oral and written) skills.
• Superior budgeting and negotiating skills.
• Ability to exemplify leadership skills through actions and words.
• Ability to collaborate with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Understanding of the use and capability of specialized software applications, including: project management real property condition assessment and inventory databases (e.g., FIMS and CAIS); maintenance work control systems (e.g., FM:Systems); space management systems; and computer aided design systems (e.g., Autocad).
• Ability to generate project management resource loaded schedules, work breakdown structures, and project status reports.

Additional Technical Requirements Include The Understanding Of

• Building systems and structures, building codes, systems furniture, and infrastructure (utility distribution systems, roadways)
• Preventive, corrective, and predictive maintenance practices.
• Construction techniques, management, and practices.
• Property Management requirements and practices as upheld within the DOE.
• Managing diverse types of subcontracts, including service agreements, task ordering agreements, consulting agreements, architecture/design contracts, construction contracts, and leases.
• 15 years of directly related experience in engineering and/or facilities management. Registered engineer, IFMA certification, or Project Management Institute certification.

Previous Management And Budget Administration Experience Required

• Program strategy, development and implementation experience required. Degree in appropriate field may be required.
• Demonstrated breadth and depth of expertise required to create aligned strategies and set direction with command of advanced industry/knowledge, and business situation versatility. Solves a wide range of complex, multi-disciplinary problems, which must consider short and long-term NLR-wide planning.
• Demonstrates financial and business acumen in analyzing, monitoring and actively controlling all aspects of goals and objectives for multiple Centers/Offices. Models and embeds NLR's values. Builds effective teams; creates strong morale and spirit; shares wins and successes. Accountable for Center/Office decisions and functional area outcomes.

DOE Q

Clearance: Must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q Security Clearance.

Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen. See DOE O 472.2A for additional information.

Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)

Job Profile: Office Director / Annual Salary Range: $172,700 - $310,900. NLR takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short*-and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement*. NLR employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.

• Based on eligibility rules

Badging Requirement

NLR is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.

Drug Free Workplace

NLR is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you are offered employment at NLR, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Reasonable Accommodations

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