Program Support Manager (CCSD)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is seeking a Group Leader within the Project Management Office to guide CCSD Program Support staff and provide program support for CCSD projects and Strategic Partnership Projects. The role requires close collaboration with principal investigators, researchers, leadership, sponsors, and cross-functional teams.

The position emphasizes flexible, fit-for-purpose program management, aiming to align schedules, budgets, and deliverables with ORNL requirements and sponsor

Qualifications

• BS/BA degree or equivalent combo of education and experience.
• Eight years of program or project management or program support experience in a research/government/national lab environment.
• Three years of lead/supervisory experience with staff development.
• Experience managing multiple concurrent projects with diverse sponsors, budgets, and teams.
• Hands-on experience with scheduling, risk/issue management, change control, and financial tracking.
• Strong communication with sponsors, senior lab management, researchers, and technical staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, supervision, and mentorship for CCSD Program Support staff.
• Own staff career development, including goal setting, feedback, training plans.
• Assign staff based on project needs, skills, and development goals.
• Establish and improve program support standards, processes, templates, and reporting.
• Serve as primary link between PMO and CCSD leadership on program support needs and staffing.
• Provide program management support for CCSD projects and SPP through lifecycle.

Skills

Program management

Staff leadership

Scheduling

Budgeting

Communication

Risk management

Education

BS/BA degree

Tools

Primavera P6

MS Excel

Project accounting software

Job description

Overview:

The Project Management Office (PMO) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks a Group Leader to lead Program Support staff in the Computing and Computational Sciences Directorate (CCSD) and provide program support for CCSD projects. ORNL is the largest US Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security. Our diverse capabilities span a broad range of scientific and engineering disciplines, enabling the Laboratory to explore fundamental science challenges and carry out the research needed to accelerate the delivery of solutions to the marketplace.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

The Group Leader is responsible for leading and developing the CCSD Program Support staff while providing direct support to a portfolio of research projects and Strategic Partnership Projects (SPP). This role requires close collaboration with principal investigators, research and directorate leadership, sponsors, cross-functional teams, and the PMO. It emphasizes flexible, fit-for-purpose program management rather than formal Earned Value Management System (EVMS) and baseline control.

Group leadership and staff development:

• Provide leadership, supervision, and mentorship for CCSD Program Support staff.


• Own staff career development, including goal setting, performance feedback, training plans, and growth opportunities.


• Assign staff based on project needs, individual skills, and development goals.


• Establish and improve consistent program support standards, processes, templates, and reporting practices.


• Serve as the primary link between the PMO and CCSD leadership on program support needs, priorities, and staffing.


• Participate in recruiting, interviewing, and selecting Program Support staff.

Program and project support:

• Provide program management support for CCSD research projects and SPP throughout the project lifecycle.


• Coordinate sponsors, principal investigators, technical teams, and subcontractors to maintain schedules, dependencies, deliverables, and commitments.


• Support SPP planning and execution, including proposal development, sponsor requirements, deliverable tracking, and communication.


• Develop schedules, budget and funding forecasts, and risk and issue tracking appropriate to each project’s size and complexity.


• Monitor funding and develop strategies to address shortfalls or surpluses.


• Manage changes in scope, schedule, and funding in line with ORNL requirements and sponsor expectations.


• Prepare status reports and lead meetings and briefings that identify issues, drive decisions, and highlight positive impacts.


• Help recover projects experiencing schedule or execution challenges.


• Advise researchers and senior leadership on planning, execution, and sponsor management.


• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace - in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• BS/BA degree, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and specialized training.


• Eight years of program or project management or program support experience in a research, government, defense, or national laboratory environment.


• Three years of lead, supervisory, or functional team leadership experience, including mentoring or developing staff.


• Experience managing multiple concurrent projects with diverse sponsors, budgets, and technical teams.


• Hands-on experience with scheduling, risk and issue management, change control, and financial tracking.


• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with sponsors, senior laboratory management, researchers, and technical staff.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent certification.


• Experience supporting SPP or other externally sponsored work at a DOE national laboratory.


• Experience supporting government or national security sponsors.


• Active DOE Q or DOD TS/SCI clearance, or the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance.


• Experience with ORNL program management tools and processes.


• Experience with Primavera P6 or similar scheduling tools.


• Experience developing program management standards or training project management staff.

Special Requirements:

• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.


• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge.

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL 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 mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.

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.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.