Institutional Communications Integration Lead

Overview

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.

Our directorates related to Mission Enablement include Office of General Counsel, Business Services, Communications, External Engagement, Operational Systems, Computing and Information Technology, and Performance Management.

Our Communications organization elevates PNNL’s reputation, inspiring action, and engages audiences by translating the Lab’s science, mission, and impact into influential communications and compelling stories. This work is carried out by communications professionals across PNNL's directorates and enterprise teams.

Responsibilities

For assigned Lab Priorities, the Institutional Communications Integration Lead is accountable for bringing that work together into a coherent communications strategy and coordinated plan. The lead connects directorate communicators with enterprise communications teams to clarify what PNNL needs to communicate, identify what is already planned or available, surface gaps, and align contributions to advance Lab priorities.

The lead establishes direction and drives planning and follow-through across the portfolio. Functional leads remain accountable for execution in their respective areas. Success requires enterprise-level perspective, sound judgment, and the ability to influence decisions and advance shared commitments without direct authority.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Communications Strategy Integration

• Develop Lab-wide communications strategies and integrated plans for assigned communications priorities including intended outcomes, priority audiences, key messages, proof points, content needs, channels, and measure of progress.
• Assess how PNNL is showing up in assigned priority areas, including existing content and expertise, audience needs, communications opportunities, and relevant activity by peer organizations.
• Translate each strategy into a coordinated view of planned and needed work across directorates and enterprise communications teams, including planned activities, content needs, timing and dependencies to anticipate gaps and opportunities.
• Connect Lab Objective communications needs with enterprise communications capabilities to extend reach and value of communications efforts.
• Translate Lab priorities into content requirements and work with the content lead to ensure the annual content strategy prioritizes the stories, expertise, assets, and cadence needed to advance them across internal and external channels. Identify gaps between priority-area needs and the planned content portfolio and recommend how to address them. Maintain visibility into stories, assets, expertise, and planned communications across the portfolio. Identify opportunities to connect related efforts and address gaps in coverage, content, or audience engagement.

Strategic Alignment and Communications Effectiveness

• Ensure integrated communications plans support established institutional strategies, and Lab Objective goals, reflecting audience needs and relevant communications standards.
• Work with communications leads and teams to evaluate results against shared communications objectives and apply findings to improve collective impact.
• Use results and emerging opportunities to recommend adjustment to content, channels, timing, and coordination to strengthen coordinated delivery.
• Provide Communications leadership with insights regarding portfolio needs, emerging opportunities, and communications outcomes.

Cross-Portfolio Coordination and Problem Solving

• Establish a regular planning and review process with the relevant Lab Objective communications leads, relationship managers, and enterprise communications teams.
• Clarify shared commitments, responsibilities and timing; follow up on progress and work with responsible leads to resolve barriers.
• Recommend adjustments to sequencing and coordination across initiatives when priorities, audience needs, dependencies, or available resources change.
• Bring portfolio-level tradeoffs, resource constraints, and unresolved dependencies to Communications leadership with actionable recommendations.
• Foster transparency and collaboration by sharing insights across efforts, enabling teams to anticipate needs and act on shared opportunities.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS/BA and 7+ years of experience leading communications functions, programs, campaigns, or strategic initiatives; OR
• MS/MA and 5+ years of experience leading communications functions, programs, campaigns, or strategic initiatives.
• Experience coordinating contributions across communications disciplines such as media, content, internal communications, social, digital, and creative.
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives involving multiple stakeholder groups without direct reporting authority.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience developing communications strategies and integrated plans across multiple initiatives, teams, audiences, and channels in a matrixed organization.
• Demonstrated ability to translate institutional or programmatic priorities into coordinated communications activities and actionable recommendations.
• Skilled in assessing an organization’s presence in a priority area, identifying available content and expertise and recognizing gaps and opportunities.
• Strong prioritization and problem-solving capabilities, including anticipating needs, managing dependencies, balancing competing demands, and driving work through to completion.
• Knowledge of communications measures and audience insights and their application to evaluate effectiveness and informing improvements.
• Familiarity with communications within energy, environmental, scientific, engineering, research, or technology-focused organizations.
• Demonstrated excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, including developing cohesive messaging in collaboration with others.

Hazardous Working Conditions/Environment

Not Applicable

Testing Designated Position

This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).

About PNNL

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!

At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State - the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.

Commitment to Excellence and Equal Employment Opportunity

Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov.

Drug Free Workplace

PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.

If you are offered employment at PNNL, you must pass a drug test prior to commencing employment. PNNL complies with federal law regarding illegal drug use. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug. If you test positive for any illegal controlled substance, including marijuana, your offer of employment will be withdrawn.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements

As a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement thereafter, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the PIV credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.

Mandatory Requirements

Please be aware that the Department of Energy (DOE) prohibits DOE employees and contractors from having any affiliation with the foreign government of a country DOE has identified as a “country of risk” without explicit approval by DOE and Battelle. If you are offered a position at PNNL and currently have any affiliation with the government of one of these countries, you will be required to disclose this information and recuse yourself of that affiliation or receive approval from DOE and Battelle prior to your first day of employment.

Rockstar Rewards

Employees and their families are offered medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, robust telehealth care options, several mental health benefits, free wellness coaching, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, basic life insurance, disability insurance*, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, tuition assistance, relocation, backup childcare, legal benefits, supplemental parental bonding leave, surrogacy and adoption assistance, and fertility support. Employees are automatically enrolled in our company-funded pension plan* and may enroll in our 401 (k) savings plan with company match*. Employees may accrue up to 120 vacation hours per year and may receive ten paid holidays per year.

• Research Associates excluded. **All benefits are dependent upon eligibility.

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Notice to Applicants

PNNL lists the full pay range for the position in the job posting. Starting pay is calculated from the minimum of the pay range and actual placement in the range is determined based on an individual’s relevant job-related skills, qualifications, and experience. This approach is applicable to all positions, with the exception of positions governed by collective bargaining agreements and certain limited-term positions which have specific pay rules.

As part of our commitment to fair compensation practices, we do not ask for or consider current or past salaries in making compensation offers at hire. Instead, our compensation offers are determined by the specific requirements of the position, prevailing market trends, applicable collective bargaining agreements, pay equity for the position type, and individual qualifications and skills relevant to the performance of the position.

Minimum Salary

USD $107,900.00/Yr. Maximum Salary

USD $167,100.00/Yr.