LCLS User Program Manager

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 162,809 - 197,109; Full time

Job summary

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park seeks an experienced User Program Manager to lead the administrative and operational framework for the global LCLS user community. You will align diverse stakeholders, drive infrastructure initiatives, and represent LCLS at DOE level, overseeing a $255M operating budget.

The role sits on the LCLS management team, coordinating cross‑directorate efforts and ensuring high‑quality user access, program operations, and continuous improvement across

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a field related to science, business administration, engineering, or management.
• At least eight years of relevant experience in management.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee administrative operations supporting the U.S. user community, including proposal intake and scheduling.
• Serve as liaison between facility leadership and international scientific community.
• Drive development of user-facing systems and workflows with software teams.
• Manage user access policies and documentation with administrative units.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Stakeholder management

Budgeting

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in science, business, engineering, or management

Tools

UPS (Universal Proposal System)

Databases

Electronic administrative systems

Job description

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced administrative leader to manage the User Program at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, a flagship U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science user facility. LCLS is the world’s first hard X‑ray free‑electron laser and is expanding through the LCLS‑II and LCLS‑II‑HE upgrades, attracting more than 1,000 researchers annually from across the U.S. and internationally, spanning chemistry, biology, materials science, and physics.

Position Overview

The User Program Manager leads the full administrative and operational framework that enables this global scientific community to access, plan, and execute experiments at one of the world’s most advanced research facilities. This high‑visibility leadership role sits at the intersection of science operations, large‑scale program management, and cross‑institution collaboration, requiring the ability to align diverse stakeholders, drive national infrastructure initiatives, and represent LCLS at the DOE light source network level. The User Program Manager is a member of the LCLS management team, reporting to LCLS leadership, and is accountable for ensuring efficient, high‑quality, and continuously improving user access and program operations across a facility with an annual operating budget of approximately $255 M.

User Program Operations

• Oversee all administrative operations supporting the LCLS user community, including proposal intake, peer review coordination, scheduling, user onboarding, and experiment support for 1,000+ visiting researchers annually.
• Serve as the primary liaison between LCLS facility leadership and the international scientific community, ensuring a seamless and high‑quality user experience from proposal submission through experiment completion.
• Drive development and continuous improvement of user‑facing systems, databases, and workflows in collaboration with software developers and scientific staff.
• Manage user access policies and associated administrative and legal documentation in collaboration with SLAC administrative service units, including processes for foreign national users and remote access.

National Scientific Infrastructure

• Lead SLAC's participation in the Universal Proposal System (UPS), a multi‑institution platform developed in partnership with APS, NSLS‑II, and other DOE light source facilities to unify proposal submission, user access, and beamtime awards across major U.S. research facilities.
• Represent LCLS on cross‑facility working groups, steering committees, and national coordination bodies shaping the future of DOE user facility infrastructure.
• Drive platform development milestones, stakeholder alignment, and change management across participating institutions.
• Interact with DOE and other light source program managers for benchmarking, sharing best practices, and coordinating joint activities across facilities.

CROSS‑DIRECTORATE & CROSS‑FACILITY COORDINATION

• Partner with scientific, engineering, operations, and administrative directorates across SLAC to ensure seamless execution of user programs and facility access processes.
• Coordinate with DOE program managers, facility directors, and partner laboratory leadership on shared priorities, performance metrics, and strategic planning.
• Support laboratory leadership in preparing materials for DOE program reviews, executive briefings, and federal submissions related to user program performance.
• Serve as a member of the LCLS upper management team, contributing to facility‑wide strategic planning and operational alignment.

Performance Metrics & Reporting

• Collect, develop, maintain, and analyze user program metrics to create reports for management, DOE funding agencies, and external advisory panels.
• Present findings to a range of internal and external audiences, including LCLS leadership and national stakeholders.
• Maintain responsibility for handling and archiving user program data in compliance with institutional and federal requirements.

Events & Scientific Community Engagement

• Direct large‑scale scientific conferences, international workshops, Users’ Meeting, and high‑profile facility visits involving 100‑1,000 participants.
• Manage LCLS's interactions with the Users’ Executive Committee and serve as liaison and advocate for the LCLS user community.
• Represent LCLS at national and international forums advancing the DOE light source user community.

Staff & Resource Management

• Supervise and develop User Program staff, fostering a culture of operational excellence, service orientation, and continuous improvement.
• Develop, monitor, and deliver the User Program budget, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources in support of program goals.
• Maintain accountability for all aspects of user program administration, including compliance with SLAC, Stanford University, and DOE policies and procedures.
• Other duties may also be assigned.

To Be Successful In This Position You Will Bring

• Bachelor's degree in a field related to science, business administration, engineering, or management, and at least eight years of relevant experience in such management, or a combination of education and experience.

Relevant Experience Performing Above Listed Responsibilities

• Demonstrated strategic leadership and management skills.
• Strong customer service, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellence in building relationships with external and internal constituents and management.
• Excellent outreach and communication skills, both oral and written.
• Extensive planning experience and advanced organizational skills.
• Extensive experience in interpreting needed information from databases, policies, and procedures.
• Experience collecting and analyzing performance data, with the ability to review and report.
• Advanced computer skills and experience with various online tools and interfaces, and ability to interact with electronic administrative systems.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.

In Addition, Preferred Requirements Include

• Experience at federally funded research and development centers, scientific or other user facilities.

SLAC Manager Competencies

• Results through Others: Achieves expected results by delegating and managing the work of others.
• Aligns Priorities: Ensures planning and prioritization of resources and work efforts.
• Applies Lab Acumen: Maintains understanding of lab efforts and current research trends.
• Navigates Complexity: Manages complex circumstances, demonstrating effective problem‑solving and decision‑making.
• Builds Trust: Earns trust and credibility from team members, peers, and stakeholders.
• Relationships: Builds relationships to foster collaboration and a positive climate.
• Communication: Ensures effective information flow and delivers clear communication.
• Self‑Awareness: Seeks feedback, takes ownership, and pursues continuous learning.
• Team Effectiveness: Motivates team members and fosters a collaborative environment.
• Purpose & Vision: Articulates a clear vision and inspires others.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of their job.

Work Standards

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and safety and security.
• Subject to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including the personnel policies and the Administrative Guide.
• Hold HSPD‑12 and DOE Order 473.1A credentials and undergo required background investigations.
• Classification Title: Administrative Services Administrator 3
• Grade: K, Job code: 4123
• Duration: Regular Continuing

The expected pay range for this position is $162,809 - $197,109 per annum. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory / Stanford University provide pay ranges representing a good‑faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage reasonably expected to be paid. The pay offered will be determined based on the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and market pay for comparable jobs. Base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package.