SSRL Deputy Associate Lab Director, Operations

You are invited to apply for the position of Deputy Associate Lab Director for Operations (DALD/Ops) in the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) directorate at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.

The DALD/Ops is the senior SSRL leader responsible for setting and executing the Directorate’s strategic operational vision, ensuring alignment with SSRL’s mission and Conduct of Operations. The role provides leadership for directorate-wide—and at times Lab-wide—initiatives, projects, and programs, while serving as a primary interface with customers, regulators, and vendors on issues of broad operational impact. Acting on behalf of the ALD, the DALD/Ops plays a critical role in representing and advancing directorate priorities. As SSRL’s champion of disciplined operations, the position also provides intellectual leadership in executing a robust portfolio of activities that support internal programs and contribute to SLAC’s broader scientific and technology objectives.

The Directorate is home to SSRL, a major scientific X-ray user facility supported primarily by the US Department of Energy (DOE), important centers and research programs related to cryogenic electron microscopy and tomography (CryoEM/ET), the Nano-X nanofabrication prototyping facility, and SLAC’s Biological Sciences Division. A principal role of the directorate is stewarding advanced capabilities and developing methods that serve the needs of active and diverse scientific user communities. The directorate is also home to a strong cohort of staff members who serve as principal investigators on research projects spanning materials science, chemistry and catalysis, biological and geological sciences, and accelerator physics. The combination of outstanding user support and scientific leadership provided by SSRL directorate staff enhances SLAC's impact and contributes to the lab’s strategic initiatives. The SSRL directorate has over 200 scientists, engineers and technicians. SSRL leverages state-of-the-art scientific and engineering expertise and advanced instrumentation capabilities to develop novel technologies that support its mission and that benefit the nation.

As a member of the directorate’s senior management group, you will report to the Associate Laboratory Director for SSRL. As the ALD's deputy, you will serve as the directorate’s liaison to the SLAC organizations led by the Lab's Deputy Director of Operations and Deputy Director of Project & Infrastructure, as well as other key stakeholders across the laboratory. SSRL’s Beam Line Systems Division and Operations Division will report directly to the DALD/Ops. These Divisions provide services to the SSRL Accelerator Division and Science Divisions that operate the SSRL accelerator and the scientific facilities for the user program, respectively.

SLAC is operated by Stanford University for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science and is one of 17 DOE national laboratories - the most comprehensive research system of its kind in the world - providing strategic scientific and technological capabilities and expertise that cannot be found elsewhere. A major part of the Office of Science mission is supporting the development, construction, and operation of unique, open-access scientific user facilities. The laboratory is home to three Office of Science user facilities: the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), and the Facility for Advanced Accelerator Experimental Tests (FACET-II).

SLAC sits on 426 acres of Stanford University land, located two miles from the main university campus. The lab's ties with Stanford have grown over the years to include several joint institutes and facilities and many collaborative research efforts. Stanford has made numerous investments in the laboratory and provides key services that make its operations more efficient. SLAC also plays an important role for Stanford, which benefits from the lab's deep expertise in key areas and its ability to develop and run large-scale research facilities. Together with Stanford, SLAC educates and develops the U.S. scientific workforce in important technological areas.

Your specific responsibilities will include:

• Providing leadership, management, and strategic vision for disciplined operations in SLAC's SSRL Directorate, in partnership with colleague DALDs .
• Leading effective implementation of SLAC Conduct of Engineering and Conduct of Project Management policies in SSRL.
• Representing SSRL on SLAC Operations and Project & Infrastructure-related Committees and Councils (e.g., Operations Subcommittee).
• Providing strategic leadership over SSRL work planning for projects, maintenance activities and coordination with site-wide events.
• Leading facility planning strategy to assure staff have the laboratory and office space for effective operations.
• Strategic leadership for SSRL's emergency response planning; events (e.g., wildfires), accidents (staff injury), and incidents (water leaks).
• Building SLAC's values (excellence, integrity, collaboration, respect, and creativity) and safety into every aspect of the directorate's work and culture.
• Contributing to directorate strategic planning and execution to continue delivering world class support to users of the directorate’s scientific facilities, and to align with the strategic mission of the Laboratory, in partnership with colleague DALDs.
• Partnering with Stanford University, DOE, and other National/International Laboratories to ensure development and implementation of best operational practices.
• Representing SLAC in a wide variety of activities involving DOE, Stanford University and other DOE-sponsored Laboratories, including chairing and/or participating on committees, reviews, and/or working groups to address Laboratory System-wide issues.
• Leveraging synergies and building collaborations both with Stanford departments and across directorates within SLAC.

To be successful in this position you will bring:

• M.S. degree or higher in a science or engineering discipline relevant to SSRL's mission and demonstrated excellence in leading disciplined operations at a >$10M scale research organization or a combination of education and relevant experience.
• A record of crafting strategy spanning multiple operational and/or engineering disciplines.
• At least 10 years of experience in fostering an environment that cultivates innovation and groundbreaking R&D while simultaneously ensuring delivery to sponsors and projects.
• Experience working in an environment dedicated to quality, safety and customer service.
• Ability to negotiate mutually beneficial outcomes, manage conflict, and motivate others to action.
• Verbal and written communication skills to effectively build and maintain working partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including Stanford University, the Department of Energy, SSRL facility users, the DOE National Lab complex, and private industry.
• Ability to interact at the highest level of management, both internally and externally, in a constructive and collaborative manner and in a way that appropriately represents SLAC.
• Propensity to take action, persevere through challenges, solve problems, and drive for on-time results within costs without sacrificing safety, quality, and core values.

SLAC Manager Competencies:

• Results Through Others (drives results & directs work): Achieves expected results by effectively delegating and managing the work of others.
• Aligns Priorities (plans & aligns): Ensures planning and prioritization of resources and work efforts; ensures alignment of direct and matrix reports to support organizational goals and business plans.
• Applies Lab Acumen (business insight): Maintains understanding of lab efforts and direction as well as current research and trends, considers technology and customer impacts, and contributes relevant, informed ideas to lab growth.
• Navigates Complexity (managing complexity): Manages a multitude of information and complex circumstances to discern what is most important; demonstrates effective problem-solving, decision-making, and takes appropriate action, even in difficult situations or with conflicting data.
• Builds Trust (instills trust): Earns trust and credibility from team members, peers and stakeholders; demonstrates SLAC values of respect and integrity.
• Relationships (interpersonal savvy, collaborates, manages conflict, builds networks): Builds relationships to foster trust, collaboration, and a positive climate to achieve team, department/directorate and lab goals.
• Communication (communicates effectively): Ensures effective information flow to various audiences; delivers clear and appropriate written and verbal communications; makes clear and impactful presentations to a variety of internal and external audiences.
• Self-Awareness (demonstrates self-awareness): Seeks feedback from others and takes ownership of, and actions to address what is learned; recognizes impact on others and adjusts as needed; pursues continuous learning opportunities; implements a meaningful development plan.
• Team Effectiveness (builds effective teams): Effectively motivates team members and fosters a diverse and collaborative team environment; leverages team members¿ strengths for overall team effectiveness; incorporates insights to improve team operations.
• Purpose & Vision (drives vision & purpose): Articulates a clear vision of expected outcomes; inspires others to execute work plans and feel a sense of purpose and ownership for the mission.

Core Duties:

• Provide strategic direction for a major function or center; create strategic plans of considerable complexity and scope; set long-range direction and make high-level decisions; propose and manage the implementation of significant programmatic changes; establish policies as needed.
• Direct and oversee the overall scientific, engineering or technical research function for a major function or center. Collaborate with senior management, faculty and/or others in order to develop, communicate and manage a central strategic plan aligned with goals of the larger organization and consistent with the university’s overall mission.
• Identify, clarify, and resolve highly complex issues with university/school-wide impact and substantial significance, which span multiple areas, requiring broad discretion and judgment.
• Responsible for ensuring that state-of-the-art scientific, engineering or technical research is adequately funded, staffed, equipped, and housed.
• Accountable for ensuring finance, budget, personnel, and facilities resources are used appropriately.
• Manage the adoption and adaptation of emerging technologies to meet changing requirements, capabilities, and opportunities.
• Lead high-level scientific, engineering, or technical research programs and initiatives through technical design, development, integration and outreach.
• Advise university/school-wide senior management on technical futures.
• Collaborate with university leaders on scientific, engineering or technical research project decisions.

Minimum Educationand Experience

Bachelor’s degree and ten years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience. Advanced degree may be required in some areas.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Extensive experience leading and managing a large organization of technical staff through subordinate managers.
• Demonstrated experience leading large, complex scientific, engineering or technical research projects or programs.
• In-depth understanding of relevant business and technical disciplines.
• In-depth knowledge of emerging technologies, trends, methodologies, and resource management principles.
• Ability to synthesize and articulate technical and scientific methodologies, specifications, and information.
• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate effectively with others.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and deliver results.
• Exceptional customer relationship and consensus building skills.
• Ability to influence and establish effective working relationships in a diverse environment. Motivate and mentor staff.
• Resolve complex issues quickly and make decisions that meet university objectives in a collaborative culture.