Associate Laboratory Director, Strategic Communications and External Affairs

About This Role

This role involves leading strategic communications and external affairs for SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, acting as Chief Communications Officer to protect and advance the Lab's reputation. The Associate Director serves as a strategic partner to executive management, guiding initiatives and managing a diverse team.

Responsibilities

• Drive strategic plans and initiatives, leading special projects from communications and institutional leadership perspectives.
• Lead the Strategic Communications and External Affairs Directorate, overseeing staff, contractors, casuals, and volunteers.
• Execute special projects of institutional significance (e.g., long-range planning, key leadership hires, crisis response) within federal government and university contexts.
• Inform and articulate lab strategy and critical high-level messages for internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop key messages and strategies to communicate complex information across various platforms, including digital, print, social, and media.
• Lead, advise, and inform culture and change management strategies, particularly for high-consequence institutional matters.
• Engage with other DOE National Laboratory communicators to provide leadership and ensure consistent strategic plans.
• Direct staff and provide leadership to achieve communication goals, focusing on hiring, retention, and personal development.
• Oversee crisis communication response, including emergency matters and reputational issues, and train communication leads.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• 12+ years of relevant experience
• Experience advising senior management on complex communications issues
• Strong understanding of reputational risk and issues management
• Depth of experience, sound judgment, and confidence for a senior strategic leadership position
• Proven ability to manage large and complex issues through diverse and competing interests
• Advanced understanding of the communications role in institutions
• Exceptional communication skills and presence at all levels and for all audiences
• Demonstrated excellent influencing, negotiating, and relationship management skills
• Demonstrated ability to earn credibility and influence senior leadership
• Exceptional ability to manage, message, edit, analyze, and synthesize complex material
• High degree of personal initiative, outstanding interpersonal, verbal, and written communications
• Exceptional leadership and management skills and ability to build a best-in-class communications ecosystem

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 12+ years of relevant experience, including advising senior management on complex communications issues.

Nice to Have

• Experience with a lead communications role in institutions with a large, diverse R&D portfolio or academic setting