Posting TitleCenter Director - Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences

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LocationCO - Golden

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Position TypeRegular

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Hours Per Week40

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Working at NREL

From day one at NREL, you’ll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you’ll have the opportunity to engage through our ten employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.

NREL supports inclusive, diverse, and unbiased hiring practices that promote creativity and innovation. By collaborating with organizations that focus on diverse talent pools, reaching out to underrepresented demographics, and providing an inclusive application and interview process, our Talent Acquisition team aims to hear all voices equally. We strive to attract a highly diverse workforce and create a culture where every employee feels welcomed and respected and they can be their authentic selves.

Our planet needs us! Learn about NREL’s critical objectives, and see how NREL is focused on saving the planet.

We invite all interested candidates to apply for this opportunity. While we recognize that job seekers may hesitate if they don’t meet every requirement, we encourage dedicated individuals who meet all the basic and additional required qualifications of the role to submit an application. We value the opportunity to consider those who believe they have the necessary skills and ambition to succeed at NREL.

Job Description

The Center Director plans, leads and directs the Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences (RRES) Center, (which is part of the Bioenergy Science and Technology Directorate) by providing strong leadership, technical direction, strategic guidance, and overall management.

The director is responsible for all personnel-related issues and decisions related to personnel, such as career development, scientific growth, Human Resource topics, job satisfaction, and performance.

They will develop, maintain, and progress the technical capabilities of the center, including people, equipment, and facilities, and ensure world-class research and development (R&D) in the areas of the center: Chemical Catalysis and Reaction Engineering, Separations Sciences, Synthetic Biology and Bioconversion, Polymer Sciences, Biochemistry and Bioprocessing Sciences, Analytical Sciences, and Computational Modeling.

The director will represent the center, NREL, and DOE in a positive and professional manner to our scientific, industrial, academic, and political stakeholders and collaborators as well as to the general public.

They will lead and manage NREL’s bioscience, biomass conversion, circular- and bioeconomy, and decarbonization-related R&D activities and communications with DOE, industry, and other academic and national lab stakeholders and partners.

The successful candidate will be able to:

Lead, guide, and manage the research programs within the center by fostering innovation and creativity, developing and executing strategic direction, and ensuring coordination with the mission of both NREL and the center’s primary funding agencies: BETO (BioEnergy Technologies Office), AMMTO (Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office), VTO (Vehicles Technology Office) within DOE-Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, FECM (Fossil Energy and Carbon Management), ARPA-E (Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy), and BER and BES (Biological and Environmental Research and Basic Energy Sciences within DOE-Office of Science), Department of Defense, and industrial partnerships.Participate in developing NREL-wide new initiatives and strategic plans and lead the communication and execution of these within the Renewable Resources and Enabling Sciences Center.Develop, plan, and execute the strategic direction of the center with regard to staffing, research direction, equipment and facilities, and interfacing with critical stakeholders.Recruit, develop, train, and motivate staff to produce world-class R&D results.Provide personnel management for all members of the Center. This includes career development, performance management, job satisfaction, safe and working environment, conflict resolution, and policy management.Provide leadership and mentorship in the areas of professional and technical development to group managers, project leads and technical staff.Foster excellence within the center in the areas of research execution, internal and external reputation, workplace culture, and environment, health and safety (EH&S).Communicate clearly both the NREL and RRES Center strategy, vision, and execution plan to ensure staff understanding, engagement, and execution.Promote external research collaboration with academia, industry, and other national labs and support technology transfer efforts for innovations from the RRES CenterPromote and build NREL’s scientific reputation in the areas of excellence of RRES Center through external engagements, presentations, VIP tours of NREL, and general involvement in the external research community.   

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Basic QualificationsPrevious management and budget administration experience in research and development required. PhD in science or engineering degree, or equivalent education and experience required.

* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

Additional Required QualificationsPrevious management and budget administration experience in research and development required.Extensive knowledge of at least some of the industries associated with bioeconomy, circular economy, CO2 conversion, separations, catalysis, biosciences, and polymers and plastics.Demonstrated problem-solving of a variety of multi-dimensional problems with minimal guidelines or precedents.Ability to model and embed NREL values, keep abreast of key issues affecting the center’s scientific disciplines, build effective teams, create strong morale and spirit, and willing to share successes.Demonstrated ability to lead and direct personnel with diverse skill sets, work styles, and personalities both directly and through subordinate management.Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and presentation skills.Recognized publications and/or scientific contribution to renewable energy science and technology with a positive national and international reputation.Demonstrated experience in managing directly reporting managers and strong budgeting skills to oversee operational funds for the center in support of $70+M research budget.Familiarity with key fundamental science challenges that, if addressed, could enable larger market adoption of renewable technologies.

Center Director II

All the above, plus:

Minimum of 15 years of progressive technical leadership experience and active involvement in renewable energy, circular economy, and/or bioeconomy-related R&D programs.History of managing ~100+ researchers and a demonstrated ability to interact with leaders from other scientific institutions.

Preferred QualificationsPh.D. degree in science or engineeringDemonstrated experience in government and/or academic research environments.

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Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)Job Profile: Center Director I / Annual Salary Range: $169,000 - $304,200

Job Profile: Center Director II / Annual Salary Range: $202,800 - $365,000

NREL takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits SummaryBenefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short*- and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits*; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement*. NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.

* Based on eligibility rules

Badging RequirementNREL 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 required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation.

Drug Free Workplace

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

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EEO Policy

NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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