Project Director, High Performance Data Facility

JDG Associates, Ltd.; United States; On-site; USD 151,000 - 299,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision plans

401(k) plan with Lab contribution

Flexible work arrangements

Tuition assistance and professional发展

Job summary

Jefferson Lab, officially known as Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility, seeks a Project Director for the High Performance Data Facility (HPDF) to guide a cross-functional team through concept to completion. You will coordinate with DOE, the Integrated Project Team, and external partners, ensuring alignment with baselines and DOE standards.

The role requires 15+ years of leadership in complex technical projects, strong communication skills, and experience managing multi-million dollar

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience leading highly complex technical objectives.
• Exemplary communication skills across diverse stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
• 5+ years managing technical projects with costs of $10M+.
• 5+ years of experience managing research computing or DOE-lab related projects.
• 5+ years of experience managing federally funded research projects and their financials.
• Direct experience with DOE O413.3b project management preferred.
• Experience in DOE ASCR Program Office preferred.
• Strong problem-solving and solution-oriented mindset.
• Ability to negotiate high-value contracts with technology vendors.
• Ability to collaborate with U.S. Government program managers.
• High emotional intelligence and self-management.
• Ability to communicate complex funding/financial information.

Responsibilities

• Communicate with DOE, Integrated Project Team, Jefferson Lab leadership and stakeholders.
• Develop project plans detailing time, funding, and resources for governance.
• Manage DOE-approved baselines and 413.3b/413.3C standards.
• Oversee outcomes of DOE independent reviews and assessments.
• Lead collaboration with technical teams, vendors, and construction managers.
• Coordinate HPDF integration with the Jefferson Lab Data Center (JLDC).
• Support DOE mission and goals within the Lab’s framework.
• Hire and manage top talent to ensure project success.

Skills

leadership

stakeholder communication

project management

budget management

vendor contracts

government liaison

emotional intelligence

financial communication

problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Master’s degree or PhD preferred

PMP or DOE Project Leadership Institute certification preferred

Job description

Client

Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab) is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory located in southeastern Virginia, dedicated to solving some of the most challenging scientific and engineering problems in nuclear physics and applied science and technology. Jefferson Lab is entering an exciting period of mission growth and is managed and operated by SURATech, LLC, a partnership between the Southeast Universities Research Association (SURA) and Virginia Tech. At Jefferson Lab, staff champion cutting‑edge science and operational excellence while shaping the future of discovery, working alongside top scientists and engineers from around the world unlocking the secrets of the visible universe. To learn more, view www.jlab.org.

Position Overview

Reporting the Lab Director, the Project Director, High Performance Data Facility (HPDF) leads the HPDF team of professionals to ensure the project is successfully delivered from initial concept through completion, fostering effective coordination within the HPDF team as well as with Jefferson Lab and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory throughout the entire process. The team currently includes seven direct reports, with additional growth anticipated as the project advances.

The Project Director ensures timely and accurate communication with DOE, the Integrated Project Team, Jefferson Lab leadership, and other key stakeholders, and executes the HPDF project within DOE‑approved baselines and to DOE standards for project management, including DOE Order 413.3b (recently updated to 413.3C) which is the rulebook DOE uses to manage large capital projects (construction, major equipment, IT systems, etc.) across the department. This position leads collaboration with technical teams, computer vendors, and construction managers to coordinate creation of the HPDF facility, encompassing computational systems, data storage, and software and conventional facilities elements, while supporting the Laboratory in advancing Jefferson Lab and DOE mission and goals.

Key Duties

• Ensures timely and accurate communication with DOE, the Integrated Project Team, Jefferson Lab leadership, and other key stakeholders, facilitating project communications up, down, and across engaged organizations.
• Lead project plans that inform the time, funding, and resources required for successful project completion, and clearly communicate these requirements to governance entities.
• Execute the HPDF project within DOE‑approved baselines and to DOE standards for project management, such as DOE Order 413.3b (recently updated to 413.3C), applying tailoring strategy as appropriate for Office of Science projects.
• Execute successful outcomes of DOE independent reviews and assessments of the HPDF project.
• Lead collaboration with a variety of technical teams, computer vendors, and construction managers to coordinate creation of the HPDF facility, including computational systems, data storage, and software and conventional facilities elements.
• Work with the Jefferson Lab Data Center (JLDC) team on the development and communication of HPDF integration into JLDC.
• Support the Laboratory in the implementation and execution of Jefferson Lab and DOE mission and goals.
• Hire and manage a top‑talent team to assure project success and achieve operational objectives.

Qualifications

• 15 or more years of experience leading teams to accomplish highly complex technical objectives.
• Exemplary communication skills, with the ability to work with a broad spectrum of contributors and stakeholders to establish and achieve complex goals in a fast-paced environment.
• 5 or more years of experience managing technical projects with a cost of $10 million or larger.
• 5 or more years of experience managing research computing or related projects within the DOE laboratory system.
• 5 or more years of expertise managing federally funded research projects and their related financial requirements.
• Direct experience directing or managing a DOE O413.3b project preferred.
• Experience within the DOE Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) Program Office preferred.
• Natural problem‑solver, solutions‑oriented, with the ability to progress solutions from high ambiguity to concrete plans.
• Ability to negotiate high‑value contracts with technology vendors.
• Ability to work effectively with U.S. Government program managers.
• High emotional intelligence, including self‑awareness, self‑management, motivation, empathy, and social skills.
• Ability to understand and communicate complex project and funding‑related financial information.

Education

Bachelor's degree required; a Master's degree or PhD in a relevant field is preferred, and strong, directly relevant experience may be considered in place of an advanced degree. Project Management Training and Certification upon hire preferred, such as PMP certification or completion of DOE's Project Leadership Institute.

Location

Newport News, Virginia (on‑site position, no remote work).

Travel

Some travel to DOE headquarters, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and other partner sites is expected. Overall travel is expected to average approximately 20 percent.

Citizenship

U.S. citizenship highly preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range is $150,800 to $299,400 per year. Compensation may vary based on a candidate's skills, experience, education, and/or certifications. Benefits include:

• Medical, dental, and vision care plans.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Paid time off and leave programs, including paid parental leave, vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
• 401(k) plan with a 9% Lab contribution, 100% vested on Day 1.
• Flexible work arrangements, including alternate work schedules where available.
• Tuition assistance, training, and professional development programs.

Jefferson Lab is located near the waterways of the Chesapeake Bay region, with access to nearby beaches, mountains, and all major metropolitan centers on the East Coast.

EEO Statement

JDG recognizes that SURATech, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a veteran, disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.