Senior HPC Communications Strategist

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; Berkeley (CA); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plans

Tuition assistance

Hybrid work option

Vacation and sick time

Parental leave

Job summary

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s NERSC division seeks a Senior HPC Communications Specialist to lead external communications, raise visibility, and engage stakeholders through compelling science storytelling, social media, and media relations.

You will coordinate a small team, produce publication-quality photography and video, translate complex science for educated audiences, develop communications strategies, and ensure messaging aligns with Lab policies and editorial standards while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, or related field, or a scientific or engineering field, and 8 years of experience in technical communications, science communications, institutional communications, government communications, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrated experience translating complex scientific or technical concepts into understandable prose for an educated audience
• Experience developing and implementing communications strategies, especially for scientific, non-profit, or government organizations
• Experience communicating science through social media and multi-media technologies
• Experience interacting with high-level internal and external contacts to establish working relationships needed to produce publications for release
• Demonstrated organizational and project-management skills, including the ability to prioritize multiple assignments, coordinate reviews, and meet competing deadlines
• Proficient with both print and electronic publishing technologies such as web publishing software, content management systems, and digital communications practices
• Strong interpersonal communication, teamwork, collaboration and client service skills, with demonstrated ability to establish and maintain strong working relationships with a diverse group of colleagues
• Knowledge of contemporary science communications tools, tactics, and best practices for technical audiences, including familiarity with common writing, editing, web publishing, and social media platforms such as Google Suite, LinkedIn, Meta, and Bluesky
• Strong organizational skills, fact-checking abilities, editorial judgment, and attention to detail
• Professional presence and highly effective interpersonal skills that allow for iteration and streamlined editorial processes with multiple stakeholders, such as a community of scientists, and technical, and administrative staff
• Ability to adapt writing style and tone for different platforms and audiences
• Ability to use multiplatform social media tools such as Sprout Social or HootSuite
• Knowledge of communications and public affairs fundamentals and industry practices

Responsibilities

• Lead NERSC’s external communications strategy in partnership with management.
• Coordinate the NERSC communications team, including two communications specialists and a web content administrator.
• Research, pitch, and produce engaging, high-quality science stories for general audiences.
• Collaborate with researchers, DOE, partner institutions, vendors, and Lab communications teams to ensure accurate messaging and coordinated coverage.
• Produce publication-quality photography and video.
• Lead NERSC’s social media presence through original content, campaigns, and strategic platform development.
• Monitor social media sentiment, address reputational concerns, and analyze engagement metrics.
• Manage communications projects from concept to publication, balancing competing priorities while upholding Lab policies and editorial standards.
• Mentor NERSC communications team members and junior Lab communications staff.
• Navigate complex communications challenges requiring in-depth analysis and sound professional judgment.

Skills

Scientific writing

Social media management

Stakeholder engagement

Editorial judgment

Project management

Strategic communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications/journalism or related field

Tools

Web publishing software

Content Management Systems

Sprout Social

Hootsuite

Adobe Creative Cloud

Job description

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s NERSC division seeks a Senior HPC Communications Specialist to lead external communications, raise visibility, and engage stakeholders through compelling science storytelling, social media, and media relations.

You will coordinate a small team, produce publication-quality photography and video, translate complex science for educated audiences, develop communications strategies, and ensure messaging aligns with Lab policies and editorial standards while