Programs, Planning, and Partnerships Specialist

UT-Battelle; Oak Ridge (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

UT-Battelle's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) invites applications for a Programs, Planning, and Partnerships Specialist to coordinate program planning, proposal development, stakeholder engagement, and public-private partnership activities within fission-related programs. This role supports the full proposal lifecycle and ongoing program execution.

The successful candidate will translate opportunities into proposals, manage deliverables, and facilitate communications among private

Qualifications

• BS or BA degree in communications, business, science, engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of related experience in program support, proposal coordination, stakeholder engagement, meeting/event coordination, or similar work.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and submit single- and multi-investigator scientific and technical proposals in response to DOE and other funding opportunities.
• Ensure timely preparation and submission of proposals, reports, and review documents, including verifying elements, formatting, compliance, and completeness.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to administrative staff in proposal development, management, and submission processes.
• Manage the preparation and delivery of programmatic materials directly funded by DOE, including brochures, reports, presentations, and other materials.
• Support communications with program stakeholders, including private sector companies, national laboratories, universities, and DOE program offices.
• Collect information from external partners and internal stakeholders to support documentation, data tracking, communications, and reporting.
• Assist with developing content for division and laboratory business activities, such as business plans, performance reports, and planning materials.
• Support development and administration of partnership-oriented programs and public-private collaboration efforts related to fission energy initiatives.
• Help define deliverables, coordinate schedules, manage competing priorities, and ensure deadlines are met across multiple projects.
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors with core values and promoting equal opportunity.

Skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, business, science, engineering, or a related field

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Overview

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a Programs, Planning, and Partnerships Specialist to support program planning, proposal development, stakeholder engagement, and public‑private partnership activities within its fission‑related programs. This position will play a key role in coordinating programmatic activities, supporting responses to funding opportunities, managing deliverables, and facilitating communication among stakeholders including private companies, national laboratories, universities, and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

The successful candidate will support the full proposal lifecycle—from initial funding opportunity announcement through final submission—as well as ongoing program execution, reporting, and communications. This role will also contribute to the development of business and planning materials, stakeholder events, and partnership‑focused initiatives in the public‑private collaboration space.

Major Duties/Responsibilities

• Work with Principal Investigators, researchers, and administrative staff across ORNL to develop and submit single‑and multi‑investigator scientific and technical proposals in response to DOE and other funding opportunities.
• Ensure the timely preparation and submission of proposals, reports, review documents, including verifying required elements, formatting, compliance, and completeness.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to administrative staff in proposal development, management, and submission processes.
• Manage the preparation and timely delivery of programmatic materials directly funded by DOE, including review documents, brochures, reports, presentations, and other factual materials.
• Support communications with program stakeholders, including private sector companies, national laboratories, universities, and DOE program offices.
• Collect information from external partners and internal stakeholders to support formal documentation, data tracking, communications, and reporting.
• Assist with the development of content for division and laboratory business activities, such as business plans, performance reports, presentations, laboratory planning materials, and annual reporting.
• Support the development and administration of partnership‑oriented programs and public‑private collaboration efforts related to fission energy initiatives.
• Help define deliverables, coordinate schedules, manage competing priorities, and ensure deadlines are met across multiple projects and activities.
• 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 or BA degree in communications, business, science, engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of related experience in program support, proposal coordination, stakeholder engagement, meeting/event coordination, or similar work.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a scientific organization, national laboratory, university research environment, or other research institution.
• Experience supporting technical proposals, reports, and program documentation.
• Some project management experience, particularly in defining deliverables, managing competing schedules and requirements, and meeting deadlines.
• Proficiency with standard business software, including Microsoft Office applications (especially Word and Excel) and Adobe Acrobat.
• Ability to work independently as a motivated self‑starter while contributing effectively in collaborative teams.
• Ability to adapt to evolving priorities and organizational needs.
• Experience supporting public‑private partnerships, external collaborations, or government‑funded programs is a plus.

Special Requirements

• Visa sponsorship: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements: 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.

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.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer.

UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.