Chief of Staff, Strategic Deterrence Active Security Clearance Required

We have an opening for a Chief of Staff in the Strategic Deterrence (SD) Directorate. You will serve as a senior advisor to the Deputy Director establishing and driving priorities decision-making cadence and operating rhythm to ensure timely high-quality execution of SD mission deliverables. You will operate with broad delegated authority to drive decisions and outcomes across SD integrate responses to internal and external partners on high-consequence programmatic issues and ensure SD leadership actions and communications are aligned with directorate and Laboratory strategy. You will play a key role in fostering a positive collaborative culture across the organization.  

You will work closely with the Deputy Director and Principal Associate Deputy Director to help ensure SD is effective in meeting mission needs and sponsor requirements. You will regularly interact with SD program leadership senior internal managers and executives external sponsors Laboratory support organizations NNSA/DOE and LLNS senior management. As Chief of Staff you will coordinate SD Office (SDO) activities that strengthen key SD relationships and partnerships and support directorate-level mission execution integration and follow-through.   

SD is a complex multi-discipline program directorate with an annual funding portfolio of $2B supporting more than 2600 employees.

This position may offer a hybrid schedule which includes the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week after a probationary period. The specifics of the hybrid schedule including the exact number of days required in the office and virtual work options may vary based on the needs of the team and the organization.

You will:

• In partnership with the Principal Associate Deputy Director (PADD) serve as the Deputy Directors principal integrator for SD programmatic operational and workforce activities ensuring priorities are clear and leadership actions are timely and aligned with SD and Laboratory strategy.
• Ensure effective and timely responses to sponsor requirements by coordinating reviewing prioritizing and communicating work products across SD program staff and leadership.
• Organize and oversee SD Senior Leadership Team engagements including agenda-setting issue framing decision capture action tracking and facilitation of cross-organizational collaboration.
• Develop implement and refine operating mechanisms policies and procedures in alignment with Laboratory and sponsor partnership with the PADD ensure the SD Office operates effectively with clear roles decision processes and execution discipline that enable mission delivery. 
• Oversee timely accurate and effective internal and external communications from the SD Office ensuring clear consistent strategic messaging aligned with Laboratory strategy. Provide strategic direction and priority-setting for SD communications activities.
• Lead preparation for SD executive engagements including development and presentation of briefing materials coordination with stakeholders and follow-through on actions in partnership with the SD Events and Communications Teams.
• Help shape and implement SD organizational strategies priorities and objectives with medium to long-term impact including informing tradeoffs risk management and resource alignment.
• Represent SD in senior-level internal and external engagements building and sustaining strategic relationships and negotiating on matters of significance to SD and the Laboratory.
• Foster a positive collaborative work environment by building strong relationships encouraging teamwork and supporting effective communication across the team and organization.
• Exercise delegated authority on behalf of the Deputy Director to resolve cross-cutting issues and advance SD priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications :

• This position requires an active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top-Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at the time of hire.
• Advanced degree in science engineering business administration organizational leadership public policy communications or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Extensive experience resolving complex high-consequence problems developing integrated approaches and driving execution across multiple organizations.
• Leadership experience with major scientific technical administrative and/or operational initiatives with advanced knowledge spanning one or more specialized fields.
• Extensive experience managing with strategic focus setting priorities balancing competing requirements delivering results under multiple deadlines and building sustainable teams and processes.
• In-depth knowledge of Laboratory programs policies procedures and governance mechanisms and strong understanding of the mission strategy and sponsor environment relevant to SD.
• Expert communication facilitation collaboration and problem-solving skills including experience briefing and influencing executive-level stakeholders.
• Extensive experience interacting with and negotiating on matters of significance with internal executives and external sponsors and partners for example NNSA/DOE DoW and other organizations.
• Leadership experience and ability to build alignment across a broad cross-section of technical operational and administrative organizations.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across complex multi-disciplinary environments.

Pay Range

$338580 - $431568 Annually

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.  An employees position within the salary range will be based on several factors including but not limited to specific competencies relevant education qualifications certifications experience skills seniority geographic location performance and business or organizational needs.

Additional Information :

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

• Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit  Clearance

  This position requires an active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at time of hire. 

  Pre-Employment Drug Test

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  Remote Work :

  No

  
  

  Employment Type :

  Full-time