Argonne National Laboratory
Head of Executive Communications
Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, United States, 60439
Argonne National Laboratory is hiring an experienced communications professional to lead the strategy, and execution of communications from Argonne’s Laboratory Director, Chief Operations Officer, and Chief Research Officer to internal and external audiences. The ideal candidate thrives in a scientific or technical environment and has demonstrated experience working closely with senior-level executives to develop, adopt, and implement communications strategies that deliver measurable results and support senior executives’ goals. Leadership, collaboration, exemplary writing and presentation-development skills, and attention to detail will be vital to candidate success.
A world-leading science laboratory, Argonne’s research portfolio spans the spectrum from fundamental to applied sciences. Laboratory researchers pursue big, ambitious ideas with international impact in areas as diverse as biology, quantum information science, new materials, and artificial intelligence. Operations staff enable the science mission through excellence in a wide range of professions from financial management to groundskeeping. Argonne operates large research facilities that serve more than 7,000 researchers from around the world each year, and partners with academic, government, industrial, and community organizations to drive pivotal discoveries and foster groundbreaking innovations.
The successful candidate will develop and leverage in-depth knowledge of the laboratory’s mission, priorities, stakeholders, and partnerships. They will lead a small team in executing high-quality communications that support the laboratory’s science mission, drive engagement, and build a positive reputation for the laboratory and its top executives. They will be able to leverage the skills of Argonne’s teams of professional writers, editors, graphic designers, photographers, and videographers, as well as events and protocol, media relations, and digital communications personnel. The Head of Executive Communications reports to the Chief Communications Officer/Senior Director for Communications and Public Affairs.
Position Requirements
Demonstrated outstanding ability to plan and execute effective strategic communications projects, initiatives, products, and tactics for C-level executives.
Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with C-level executives, leveraging excellent listening and communications skills to understand, anticipate and represent management’s point of view to various audiences.
Experience working with C-level executives on internal and external communications needs, including speechwriting, Congressional testimony, event briefings, etc.
Strong management, leadership, and communication skills with experience presenting recommendations to senior management.
Outstanding ability to develop and build presentations and write and edit content across a range of platforms and styles (formal, informal, digital, social, print).
Adaptable writing style that can capture the unique voices of a variety of leaders.
Skill in effectively communicating scientific and technical ideas to lay audiences.
Outstanding project management skills, with proven experience with production schedules and successfully meeting milestones and project deadlines.
Ability to synthesize, develop, and convey institutional messages to diverse audiences.
Ability to connect content to organizational goals and results.
Creativity to inspire novel approaches to repeated annual events or programs.
Ability to adapt in a highly dynamic environment with strict attention to deadlines.
Conscientious budget manager and steward of Lab resources.
Demonstrated ability to deliver measurable results (increased awareness, higher client satisfaction, increased engagement, etc.).
Strong customer service orientation, able to negotiate with internal clients to balance their needs with effective communications tactics.
Passion for the mission of the Lab.
Ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.
Experience in executive communications within a scientific or technical organization, such as an academic institution, research laboratory, or non-profit, is strongly preferred.
Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, English, journalism, or a related scientific/technical discipline, and 10+ years’ experience, or equivalent.
Job Family
Professional Administrative (PA)
Job Profile
Communications/Marketing 5
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.
A world-leading science laboratory, Argonne’s research portfolio spans the spectrum from fundamental to applied sciences. Laboratory researchers pursue big, ambitious ideas with international impact in areas as diverse as biology, quantum information science, new materials, and artificial intelligence. Operations staff enable the science mission through excellence in a wide range of professions from financial management to groundskeeping. Argonne operates large research facilities that serve more than 7,000 researchers from around the world each year, and partners with academic, government, industrial, and community organizations to drive pivotal discoveries and foster groundbreaking innovations.
The successful candidate will develop and leverage in-depth knowledge of the laboratory’s mission, priorities, stakeholders, and partnerships. They will lead a small team in executing high-quality communications that support the laboratory’s science mission, drive engagement, and build a positive reputation for the laboratory and its top executives. They will be able to leverage the skills of Argonne’s teams of professional writers, editors, graphic designers, photographers, and videographers, as well as events and protocol, media relations, and digital communications personnel. The Head of Executive Communications reports to the Chief Communications Officer/Senior Director for Communications and Public Affairs.
Position Requirements
Demonstrated outstanding ability to plan and execute effective strategic communications projects, initiatives, products, and tactics for C-level executives.
Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with C-level executives, leveraging excellent listening and communications skills to understand, anticipate and represent management’s point of view to various audiences.
Experience working with C-level executives on internal and external communications needs, including speechwriting, Congressional testimony, event briefings, etc.
Strong management, leadership, and communication skills with experience presenting recommendations to senior management.
Outstanding ability to develop and build presentations and write and edit content across a range of platforms and styles (formal, informal, digital, social, print).
Adaptable writing style that can capture the unique voices of a variety of leaders.
Skill in effectively communicating scientific and technical ideas to lay audiences.
Outstanding project management skills, with proven experience with production schedules and successfully meeting milestones and project deadlines.
Ability to synthesize, develop, and convey institutional messages to diverse audiences.
Ability to connect content to organizational goals and results.
Creativity to inspire novel approaches to repeated annual events or programs.
Ability to adapt in a highly dynamic environment with strict attention to deadlines.
Conscientious budget manager and steward of Lab resources.
Demonstrated ability to deliver measurable results (increased awareness, higher client satisfaction, increased engagement, etc.).
Strong customer service orientation, able to negotiate with internal clients to balance their needs with effective communications tactics.
Passion for the mission of the Lab.
Ability to model Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.
Experience in executive communications within a scientific or technical organization, such as an academic institution, research laboratory, or non-profit, is strongly preferred.
Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, English, journalism, or a related scientific/technical discipline, and 10+ years’ experience, or equivalent.
Job Family
Professional Administrative (PA)
Job Profile
Communications/Marketing 5
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.