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Senior Project Manager and Group Leader

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Operations
Oak Ridge, TN, USA
Posted on Aug 21, 2025

Requisition Id 15251

Overview:

The Project Management Office (PMO) of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking an experienced, dynamic, and highly organized Senior Project Manager/Group Leader to join our team. This is a key leadership role in the PMO where you will oversee a talented group of project managers and project management specialists, while also serving as the Senior Project Manager for the Stable Isotope Production and Research Center (SIPRC) Project – a nationally significant, high-priority $325M Line-Item project. The SIPRC project involves the construction of a 64,300-square-foot facility (currently underway) and the integration of advanced isotope enrichment technologies. This is a unique opportunity to lead a transformative project that will enhance the nation’s ability to produce stable isotopes.

This position will work closely with the ORNL Isotope Science and Enrichment Directorate (ISED), Enrichment Science and Engineering Division (ESED), Laboratory Modernization Division (LMD), and the Project Management Office (PMO) personnel to execute the work.

ORNL is the largest DOE science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security. Our diverse capabilities span a broad range of scientific and engineering disciplines, enabling the Laboratory to explore fundamental science challenges and to carry out the research needed to accelerate the delivery of solutions to the marketplace.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

This position will function as the Senior Project Manager/Group Leader and will perform a variety of key duties and responsibilities including, but not limited to:

SIPRC Senior Project Manager Responsibilities:

  • Project Planning and Management:
    • Develop and maintain the overall project execution plan in compliance with DOE Order 413.3B.
    • Define project scope, objectives, and deliverables in alignment with DOE initiatives and stakeholder expectations.
    • Lead the creation and refinement of the project baseline, including cost, schedule, and performance metrics.
  • Team Leadership and Coordination:
    • Lead a multi-disciplinary project team, fostering a collaborative environment to achieve project goals.
    • Coordinate with various stakeholders, including DOE representatives, contractors, and project teams, to ensure alignment and effective communication.
    • Develop, present, and reinforce project management process and systems training for all applicable project staff, specifically the technical control account managers (CAMs).
    • Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.
    • Attend technical and management meetings to understand and report status accurately.
    • Performs ad-hoc activities as necessary to support project success.
  • Financial Management:
    • Overseeing and issuing various status and Earned Value Management (EVM) based reports Ensure all project management systems, project planning and project executions are compliant with applicable ORNL and DOE governance, specifically DOE Order 413.3B and ORNL EVM system requirements that are based upon EIA 748-C and NDIA EVMS EIA-748 Intent Guide
    • Develop and oversee the project budget, ensuring cost control measures are in place and adhered to.
    • Monitor expenditures and financial performance against the project budget and report discrepancies to stakeholders.
  • Schedule Management:
    • Monitor and update the project schedule, ensuring timely completion of project milestones and deliverables.
    • Conduct regular schedule reviews and implement corrective actions as necessary to address schedule slippage.
  • Stakeholder Engagement:
    • Serve as the primary point of contact for project stakeholders, providing updates on project status and addressing any concerns.
    • Facilitate stakeholder meetings, ensuring effective communication and collaboration among all parties involved.
    • Interfaces with major construction project stakeholders: DOE; Engineering, Procurement, and Construction firms; and support contractors.
  • Risk Management:
    • Identify, assess, and manage project risks, including safety, technical, and regulatory risks associated with the project.
    • Develop risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans to address potential impacts on project objectives.
  • Compliance and Regulatory Oversight:
    • Ensure project activities comply with all relevant DOE regulations, policies, and standards, including safety, security, and environmental considerations.
    • Prepare and submit required reports and documentation to relevant authorities and stakeholders.
  • Quality Assurance:
    • Implement quality management processes to ensure that project deliverables meet established quality standards.
    • Conduct regular reviews and audits of project activities and documentation to maintain compliance with quality requirements.
  • Reporting and Documentation:
    • Prepare and present project status reports, dashboards, and other documentation to senior management and stakeholders.
    • Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including contracts, change orders, and engineering specifications.
  • Continuous Improvement:
    • Identify opportunities for process improvements and innovation within project management practices.
    • Lead lessons learned sessions and implement best practices to enhance future project performance.
  • Change Management:
    • Manage changes to the project scope, schedule, and budget, ensuring that any adjustments are thoroughly documented and communicated.
    • Facilitate the change control process in accordance with DOE requirements.
  • Reviews:
    • Prepare and support various project reviews, including internal and external project status reviews, DOE Order 413.3B Critical Decision (CD) reviews, independent cost estimate reviews (ICR), and earned value system surveillance/compliance reviews.
    • Support the Control Account Managers (CAMs) and project manager staff in preparing for various internal and external project reviews.

Group Leader Responsibilities:

  • Lead and manage a team of project managers and specialists, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
  • Oversee the allocation of resources for various projects, ensuring optimal utilization of personnel and tools.
  • Mentor team members in project management best practices, providing guidance on career development and skill enhancement.
  • Familiarity with project management methodologies and tools.
  • Conduct mid-year and end-of-year performance reviews.
  • Participate in project reviews as required.

Basic Qualifications:

  • A BA/BS degree in Project Management, Business Management, or Engineering.
  • At least 10 years of experience successfully performing project management duties leading multi-disciplinary teams to successfully deliver projects on time and within budget.
  • At least 5 years of supervising staff.
  • Strong communications skills, with the ability to successfully interact with DOE, project reviewers, senior laboratory management and senior project staff members.
  • Strong mentoring and coaching abilities to support staff development.
  • Ability to build relationships, negotiate, and collaborate effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
  • Proven ability to analyze complex situations and make informed and timely decisions.
  • Capacity to adapt to changing project requirements and manage challenges effectively.
  • Familiarity with DOE Order 413.3B and related project management policies and best practices.
  • Ability to identify, assess, and manage project risks effectively.
  • Familiarity with applicable environmental, health, and safety standards, as well as security protocols, especially in relations to government projects.
  • Experience in budget development, cost control, and financial reporting.
  • Must have demonstrated experience managing diverse, high performing teams.
  • Must have strong communications skills, with the ability to successfully interact with DOE, project reviewers, senior laboratory management, and senior project staff members.
  • At least 10 years of project experience establishing baselines, incorporating baseline changes, producing monthly reports / metrics and variance analysis.
  • Project experience working within an EVMS environment compliant with EIA-748.
  • Must be well versed in construction, operations, and business systems to assure project scope is accomplished, schedules are met, and work is completed within budget.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • A MS degree in project or construction management, business, science, engineering or equivalent.
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
  • Fifteen to twenty years’ experience successfully performing Project Management duties as noted above with 7-10 years managing large, complex projects (e.g. construction).
  • Five years of experience supervising project management staff.
  • Experience managing projects for construction of facilities.
  • Experience with risk management, working with risk analysis and simulation software.
  • Experience with projects using a ‘DOE compliant’ EVMS environment; to include establishing baselines, incorporating baseline changes, producing monthly reports and variance analysis.
  • Experience with preparing and participating in DOE Office of Science Independent Project Reviews (IPRs) and EVMS surveillance reviews.
  • Certifications in specific methodologies (e.g. Agile, Lean Six Sigma) or related fields.
  • An active Department of Energy Q-clearance.

Special Requirements:

  • Q Clearance: This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.
  • Visa sponsorship: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements:

For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.

To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes 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) risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.

Benefits at ORNL:

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain talented people. The laboratory offers many employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to help you and your family live happy and healthy. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also provided for convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.