Project Controls Department Head

LBL • $187K — $260K *
Berkeley, CA 94704In-Person
Education, Government & Non-Profit
11 - 15 years of experience
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's/advanced degree in a related field; minimum 12 years of relevant experience.
  • Proven supervisory experience in a project controls setting.
  • Expert in project status reporting and execution compliance for evaluation boards.
  • Well-recognized subject matter expert in project planning and controls within LBNL and DOE.
  • Knowledge of DOE and LBNL project management requirements, including Order 413.3c.
  • Excellent communication and negotiation skills; capable of consensus-building across teams.
  • Strong strategic planning capabilities with the ability to juggle multiple high-priority projects.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and supervise the Project Planning and Controls Department staff.
  • Oversee talent management, performance evaluation, and career development of the team.
  • Provide project controls support across LBNL, including for construction projects.
  • Collaborate with operations to develop staffing tools for the Engineering division.
  • Manage departmental budget and strategy development for project controls.
  • Identify best practices in project management from DOE and PMI to enhance LBNL practices.
  • Serve as a strategic leader for the Engineering Division, recommending improvements in project controls.

Benefits

  • Full-time career appointment status with exempt classification.
  • Employment includes comprehensive healthcare and retirement benefits.
  • Position requires a background check, ensuring workplace integrity.
  • Work primarily located at the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab in Berkeley, CA.
Full Job Description
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is hiring a Project Controls Department Head within the Engineering division. The Department Head (DH) for Project Controls (PC) fulfills a dual function. In the DH function, the incumbent develops the overall department strategy and advises the Division Director on current and future capabilities and tools for LBNL-led projects and externally led partner projects and is responsible for the department budget. In the direct PC leadership function, the incumbent provides project planning and controls expertise and professional project management guidance to Project Directors (PDs), Project Managers (PMs), and Principal Investigators (PIs) in the Project & Infrastructure Modernization Division for large, complex projects involving moderate to high risk.

Key responsibilities:
  • Manage, lead, and supervise the Project Planning and Controls Department staff.
  • Responsible for talent selection, management, performance, career development, succession planning, and workload leveling of staff.
  • Provide PC support for Projects across the LBNL organization including construction projects.
  • Collaborates with the Deputy of Operations to develop and maintain tools for the EG division to manage and project EG technical staffing needs and deployments.
  • Responsible for the department budget Division and Department Strategy.
  • Identify best practices, tools, and approaches across the DOE complex and from the Project Management Institute (PMI) to ensure efficient and effective application of PP&C expertise to LBNL scientific projects.
  • Provide strategic leadership to the Engineering Division and make recommendations regarding PC capabilities for LBNL.
  • Provide PC support for projects across the LBNL organization, including construction projects.
  • Formulate and apply extensive knowledge of project planning, budgeting, scheduling, and software applications to LBNL PP&C practice. Determine LBNL tools and approaches for PP&C.
  • Lead or participate in project management/controls networks, working groups, and external reviews.
  • Maintain strong collaboration with LBNL PMO, Scientific Project Managers and stakeholders to achieve objectives of the current scientific project portfolio and anticipate future changes in demand, rigor, and consequence.
  • Appoint Earned Value Surveillance Officer(s), providing institutional strategic and tactical advice to the LBNL Project Management Office (PMO).
  • Partner with other institutional stakeholders, including the PMO and OCFO, to ensure certification eligibility and status.
  • In collaboration with the LBNL PMO, DOE, and Engineering Management, modify and develop LBNL policies, practices, standards, system descriptions, software applications, and protocols to achieve scientific project objectives and ensure DOE requirements are met.


Required qualifications:
  • Bachelor's/advanced degree in a related field and at least 12 years education and/or applied experience in the planning and control of moderate to large projects subject to DOE project management order(s).
  • Supervisory experience required.
  • Demonstrated experience in representing project status, reporting, controls, and execution status to independent evaluation or review boards.
  • Recognized as a subject matter expert in project planning and controls management within LBNL and across the DOE Complex.
  • Knowledge of DOE and LBNL project management requirements, including DOE Order 413.3c and EVMS techniques.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to interact effectively at the management level within the organization and with other research institutions and external agencies; proven ability to interact effectively with personnel at all levels throughout the organization; effective consensus-building and negotiation skills.
  • Exceptional planning and organizing skills and ability to develop solutions to complex problems; sound judgment and ability to take decisive action without all desired information.
  • Demonstrated professional expertise to prepare for and respond to detailed and complex examinations from high-level internal and external reviews.
  • Excellent strategic planning and implementation skills; proven ability to work on multiple projects with varying priorities and deadlines.


Desired skills/knowledge:
  • PMP certification and EVMS certification experience.


Additional information:
  • Application date: Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by October 13, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.
  • Appointment type: This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
  • Salary range: The expected salary for this position is $187,956.00 - $260,000.00, which fits into the full salary of $167,904.00 - $281,916.00 depending upon the candidate's skills, knowledge, and abilities. This includes education, certifications, and years of experience.
  • Background check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
  • Work modality: Work will be primarily performed at:Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).
  • Work authorization: Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.


Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

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