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Head of Communications

Employer
Argonne National Laboratory
Location
Lemont, Illinois, US
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
May 16, 2022

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Argonne National Laboratory Head of Communications Lemont , Illinois Apply Now
Argonne National Laboratory is hiring a strategic communications leader for the lab's Computing, Environment and Life Sciences directorate.

We're looking for a talented and experienced communications professional who is passionate about science and technology and their impact on society. The Head of Communications will lead Argonne's communications efforts around transformative topics including artificial intelligence, supercomputing and exascale computing, self-driving laboratories, high-resolution climate modeling and synthetic biology.

The successful candidate should have demonstrated experience in working closely with organizational leaders to develop and execute strategic communications that support scientific and operational goals.

The Head of Communications will manage a small team of communications professionals dedicated to the needs of the computational science, data science and learning, mathematics and computer science, biosciences, and environmental science divisions. They will work closely with the Head of Communications for the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility to support the communications needs and goals of this national supercomputing facility that powers the research of more than 1,000 scientists from around the world every year, and is poised to bring its first exascale computer - Aurora - online.

Working under the laboratory's Head of Scientific & Technical Communications, they will partner with peers representing other Argonne science and technology areas to execute communications for activities and initiatives that reach across laboratory areas, from the fight against climate change, to quantum information science, to drug discovery.

The successful candidate will lead, plan, coordinate and set priorities for a wide range of communication products and services, including both external and internal communications. They will promote a steady stream of integrated marketing communications and content for key internal and external audiences that represents the directorate's science, scientists, engineers, technologists, business professionals, operations and facilities. The Head of Communications will develop goals and objectives to enable the success of communications within the directorate; implement innovative strategies for providing services; execute communications initiatives within the directorate; and advise stakeholders inside the directorate.

Experience working in a scientific or technical organization, such as a research laboratory or academic institution, is strongly preferred. Knowledge and expertise in communications related to computing and/or environmental sciences is desired.

Position Requirements

Demonstrated ability to translate the needs of large, complex organizations into communications solutions that meet business goals.

Ability to develop and maintain excellent relationships with organizational leaders, leveraging excellent listening and communications skills to understand, anticipate and represent management's point of view on a wide variety of substantive issues and to various audiences.

Ability to identify organizational priorities and proactively design, implement and update communication strategies and tactics to support those priorities as they shift and change over time.

Develop and maintain in-depth knowledge of the subject matter and trends applicable to the directorate's science and partnerships. Able to skillfully translate scientific and technical content for both basic and sophisticated audiences.

Lead a high-performing team of communications professionals: setting objectives, evaluating, supporting and developing team members.

Ability to define target audiences, set goals for communications efforts and prepare information products that convey specific types of scientific, business, marketing, and news information to those audiences.

Knowledge of fundamental facts and principles of the basic sciences, scientific and engineering terminology and R&D practices.

Ability to cultivate and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external customers at all levels.

Demonstrated skill in team-building, negotiation, and working effectively in a collaborative team environment.

Demonstrated excellence in project management, planning, strategy, and driving projects to successful outcomes by facilitating the action of others.

Innovative problem solving.

Knowledge of characteristics of audiences for scientific and business information.

General management and business principles (finance, personnel, operations).

Client service mindset, able to take in and clarify objectives and goals of clients.

Ability to be highly responsive, meet demanding deadlines, and prioritize and handle a large number of diverse projects and issues within budget.

Flexible and adaptable with highly fluid situations and strong personalities.

Conscientious budget manager and steward of laboratory resources.

Ability to model Argonne's Core Values: : Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork

Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, English, journalism, or a related scientific/technical discipline, and 10+ years' experience, or equivalent.

Experience working in a scientific or technical organization strongly preferred.

Experience in communications related to computing and/or environmental sciences desired.

Job Family

Professional Administrative (PA)

Job Profile

Communications/Marketing Leader 1

Worker Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time

As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. In support of this commitment, Argonne encourages minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment. Argonne considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.

All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

Please note that all Argonne employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. All successful applicants will be required to provide their COVID-19 vaccination verification as a condition of employment, subject to limited legally recognized exemptions to COVID-19 vaccination.

Interested in translating science into innovation? Build your career at Argonne.

At Argonne, we view the world from a different perspective. Our scientists and engineers conduct world-class research in clean energy, the environment, technology, national security and more. We're finding creative ways to prepare the world for a better future.

To learn more about Argonne's benefits programs, amenities, and other employee programs, visit our main Careers (http://www.anl.gov/careers) site.

To learn more about the exciting science going on at Argonne, visit our Science and Technology (http://www.anl.gov/argonnes-science-and-technology) page.

To request a reasonable accommodation or for other application support, contact us anytime at careers@anl.gov or 630-252-2336.

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