Responsibilities

About the NSDD Program

The Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence (NSDD), NA-213, is one of three offices within the National Nuclear Security Administration's Office of Global Material Security (GMS), NA-21. NSDD advances the U.S. Department of Energy's nonproliferation mission by strengthening partner-country capabilities to detect, disrupt, and investigate the illicit trafficking of special nuclear and other radioactive materials.

NSDD works with U.S. government agencies, multilateral organizations, foreign partners, national laboratories, and contractors to provide radiation detection systems, associated training, technical solutions, capacity-building assistance, equipment services, and performance assessment tools. The program's work is organized across three integrated elements:

• Strategic Engagements establishes programmatic direction through risk and threat analysis; engagement and coordination with the U.S. interagency, multilateral organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, and foreign partners; and management of program information and communications.
• Applied Solutions develops and manages NSDD capabilities, including technology solutions, capacity-building tools, partner assessment metrics and evaluation tools, international nuclear forensics engagement capabilities, equipment services, and associated technical expertise.
• Partner Operations applies NSDD capabilities in the field through the design, construction, and deployment of radiation detection systems and through capacity-building and equipment-services activities that help international partners progress toward self-sufficiency.

The Role

The NSDD Program Manager is the principal point of contact between NSDD Headquarters and PNNL and has oversight authority and responsibility for all PNNL NSDD activities. The Program Manager works closely with the Deputy Program Manager to lead a multidisciplinary organization, communicate program issues, status, needs, and priorities, and align execution with sponsor direction and PNNL requirements.

This position oversees a complex domestic and international portfolio with an annual budget of approximately $100 million and approximately 70 full-time-equivalent staff. Success requires strategic leadership, disciplined program and project management, strong sponsor engagement, sound judgment, and the ability to integrate technical, operational, and business functions across multiple organizations and international environments.

Responsibilities

The Program Manager is accountable for the successful leadership and execution of PNNL's NSDD portfolio. Key responsibilities include:

Program leadership and execution

• Translate NSDD guidance and requirements into clear direction for PNNL project managers, technical staff, and support organizations.
• Ensure work is executed within approved scope, schedule, and budget requirements and that management controls support effective performance, contracting, foreign travel, and project execution.
• Conduct periodic program and project reviews, assess program effectiveness, oversee cross-cutting integration projects, and address emerging performance issues.
• Provide oversight and direction to PNNL organizations supporting the program and review and approve program execution guidance documents.

Sponsor and stakeholder relationships

• Serve as PNNL's principal point of contact with NSDD Headquarters and communicate programmatic issues, status, needs, risks, and priorities in a timely manner to senior NSDD and PNNL management and other stakeholders.
• Maintain productive relationships with DOE/NNSA sponsors, other national laboratories, U.S. interagency organizations, multilateral organizations, foreign government counterparts, contractors, and partner-country personnel.
• Coordinate with PNNL sector and subsector managers regarding funding and sales expectations, program priorities, and other information relevant to institutional planning and performance.
• Lead through influence and adapt execution as sponsor priorities, congressional direction, U.S. and foreign government positions, and program strategies evolve.

Risk, compliance, and operational oversight

• Continuously assess environment, safety, and health; security; operational; and performance risks and ensure appropriate mitigation measures are implemented.
• Ensure compliance with PNNL export control, security, records-management, training, travel, information-release, procurement, and other applicable policies and procedures.
• Review and approve PNNL NSDD foreign travel, evaluate project travel for mission need and risk, approve formal project Information Release requests, and review purchase requisitions as assigned.
• Manage formal program records and periodically review project-team records for compliance with applicable requirements.

Workforce, strategy, and organizational leadership

• Coordinate with PNNL line management to forecast staffing needs; develop, recruit, and secure required capabilities; and approve key or senior-level staffing decisions for the program.
• Ensure staff complete program-required training and have the knowledge, tools, and support needed to perform their assigned roles.
• Develop and communicate a forward-looking vision for PNNL's NSDD work, influence program strategy and execution, and identify opportunities for PNNL thought leadership and participation in new initiatives.
• Support succession planning, assess staff readiness, identify development and cross-training opportunities, and build a resilient workforce with nuclear security and complementary capabilities.

This position is based in Richland, WA and requires an onsite presence.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 11+ years of relevant project management experience -OR-
• MS/MA or higher and 9+ years of relevant project management experience
• Experience working directly with DOE/NNSA sponsors, other federal agencies, national laboratories, international organizations, foreign government counterparts, or partner-country organizations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience leading complex, multidisciplinary, and multi-organizational programs with significant scope, schedule, budget, risk, and stakeholder-management responsibilities.
• Experience working directly with DOE/NNSA sponsors, other federal agencies, national laboratories, international organizations, foreign government counterparts, or partner-country organizations.
• At least two years, preferably three to five years, of experience with NSDD or another nuclear nonproliferation, nuclear security, or international technology-deployment program.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with senior leaders, sponsors, technical teams, business functions, and external stakeholders and to lead through influence in a changing environment.
• Project Management Professional certification is desirable.
• Ability to obtain DOE Q clearance.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

• Requires travel to Sponsor offices (Washington, DC) and international locations.

Additional Information

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance.