Manager of Tours, Hosting & Protocol

Idaho National Laboratory is seeking a Manager of Tours, Hosting & Protocol to lead the laboratory's visitor engagement organization and oversee the teams responsible for protocol, executive hosting, tours and institutional events.

Reporting to the Communications Director, this manager will lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for delivering exceptional visitor experiences that strengthen understanding of INL's mission and reinforce the laboratory's reputation with government leaders, industry partners, academic institutions, Tribal Nations, international delegations and community stakeholders.

The Manager of Tours, Hosting & Protocol establishes operational priorities, develops service standards, allocates resources and partners across the laboratory to ensure visits and events reflect INL's commitment to excellence, safety and professionalism. This position combines people leadership, operational management and stakeholder engagement while supporting some of the laboratory's highest-profile activities.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the laboratory's Tours, Hosting & Protocol organization, providing direction, coaching and professional development for teams responsible for protocol, executive hosting, tours and institutional events.
• Establish operational priorities, performance expectations and service standards for protocol, hosting, tours and events while ensuring consistent, high-quality execution across the organization.
• Provide leadership and guidance on protocol, executive hosting and visitor engagement practices, ensuring activities comply with laboratory policies, security requirements and established protocol standards.
• Oversee planning and execution of high-profile visits involving Department of Energy leadership, elected officials, foreign delegations, industry executives, university partners, Tribal Nations and other distinguished visitors.
• Direct laboratory tour programs that communicate INL's scientific, engineering and operational capabilities through engaging, accurate and audience-centered experiences.
• Oversee planning and execution of institutional events, executive engagements and ceremonial activities, coordinating across Communications, Safeguards & Security, Facilities & Site Services, senior leadership and other laboratory organizations.
• Build collaborative relationships across the laboratory to ensure seamless coordination of visitor experiences and consistent execution of hosting activities.
• Develop and maintain policies, procedures and best practices for protocol, hosting, tours and events while driving continuous improvement through customer feedback, operational metrics and lessons learned.
• Manage organizational budgets, staffing, workforce planning and resource allocation to meet organizational objectives.
• Develop contingency plans and provide operational leadership during evolving situations, balancing visitor experience with safety, security and mission requirements.
• Partner with Communications leadership to align visitor engagement activities with laboratory messaging, communications priorities and organizational objectives.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational effectiveness through technology, AI-enabled tools, process improvements and data-informed decision making.
• Support emergency response activities, including participation in the Emergency Operations Center or Joint Information Center as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in communications, journalism, public relations, English, marketing, organizational communication or a related discipline and five (5) years of experience in nuclear energy communications. Degrees in science, engineering or other technical fields are also considered relevant when combined with professional communications leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading communications strategy within a complex scientific, technical, government or highly regulated organization.
• Experience in the tours, protocol or hosting space.
• Experience managing communications professionals and developing high-performing teams.
• Exceptional writing, editing and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical information for diverse audiences.
• Experience advising senior leaders and building productive partnerships with technical subject matter experts.
• Strong organizational, strategic planning and project management skills.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE “L” security clearance.

  The Ideal Candidate Will Possess

• Experience developing communications strategies supporting large, multidisciplinary organizations.
• Knowledge of media relations, executive communications, employee communications and digital communications.
• Demonstrated ability to balance multiple high-priority initiatives in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience communicating during significant operational activities, emerging issues or crisis situations.
• Familiarity with AI-enabled communications tools and data-informed communications planning.
• A collaborative leadership style with strong emotional intelligence, sound judgment and the ability to influence across organizational boundaries.

Job Information

The target pay range for this position is ($104,649-$160,458) annually.

The full pay range is grade 520 ($93,840 - $225,180). At Idaho National Laboratory compensation decisions are determined using factors such as education, relevant experience, and other credentials.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this classification, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, kneel, bend, and work in an office and field/laboratory environment. The job requires hand/finger dexterity to keyboard or type, handle materials, manipulate tools, and reach with hands and arms. The job requires operation of job-related equipment and driving a vehicle. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Sufficient visual acuity and hearing capacity to perform the essential functions and interact with people is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits and Relocation

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) with a 4.2% employer contribution and up to 4.8% match (regular positions) or self-contribute access (postdoctoral positions)
• Paid time off (personal leave)
• Employee Education Program (tuition assistance for eligible positions)
• Comprehensive Relocation Package
• Benefit eligibility subject to multiple factors, including employment status and position classification.

At this time, BEA will not sponsor any H1-B visas obtained outside of the United States of America (U.S.A.), including consular visas.

INL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's mission in nuclear energy research, science, and national defense. With more than 6,300 scientists, researchers, and support staff, the laboratory works with national and international governments, universities and industry partners to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

INL Mission:

Our mission is to discover, demonstrate and secure innovative nuclear energy solutions, other clean energy options and critical infrastructure.

INL Vision:

Our vision is to change the world's energy future and secure our nation's critical infrastructure.

Selective Service Requirements:

To be eligible for employment at INL males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). For more information see

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of INL to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodation:

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Other Information:

When applying to positions please provide a resume and answer all questions on the following screens. Applicants, who fail to provide a resume or answer the questions, may be deemed ineligible for consideration.