Associate Laboratory Director, Strategic Communications and External Affairs

Position Overview The Associate Laboratory Director of Strategic Communications and External Affairs serves as Chief Communications Officer for SLAC, leading the Strategic Communications and External Affairs Directorate. The role sets vision, executes strategies, and protects and advances the Laboratory’s reputation. The director reports to the Deputy Director for Operations and is a member of SLAC’s senior management team, advising executive leadership on matters of institutional and reputational significance. Your Specific Responsibilities Drive strategic plans and initiatives forward, lead special projects and priorities from both a communications and institutional leadership perspective, and represent the Laboratory in key stakeholder interactions. Lead the Strategic Communications and External Affairs Directorate, overseeing full‑time staff, contract personnel, casuals, and volunteers; delegate authority and responsibility clearly to staff and others. Execute special projects of institutional significance (long‑range planning, key leadership hires, crisis response, etc.) and navigate the complexities of federal government and university contexts. Inform and articulate Laboratory strategy and critical high‑level messages for key internal and external stakeholders. Develop key messages and strategies to communicate complex information to multiple audiences through digital, print, social, and media platforms. Advise on culture and change management strategy, especially around long‑term high‑consequence institutional matters (safety, organizational change, respectful workplace, etc.). Engage with DOE National Laboratory communicators to provide leadership and ensure consistent and complementary strategic plans across the National Laboratory system. Direct staff and provide leadership to achieve communication goals supporting SLAC’s mission, vision, and values, including hiring, retaining staff, and fostering their professional development. Oversee crisis communication response for emergency matters and issues with reputational impact, training communication leads as needed. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree and twelve+ years of relevant experience, or a combination of education and experience equivalent to the minimum required. Experience advising senior management on complex communications issues with a strong understanding of reputational risk and issues management. Depth of experience, sound judgment, and confidence befitting a senior strategic leadership position. Proven ability to manage large and complex issues through diverse and competing interests. Advanced understanding of the communications role in institutions; experience in a lead communications role in a large, diverse R&D portfolio or academic setting is preferred. Exceptional communications skills and presence at all levels; excellent influencing, negotiating, and relationship‑management abilities. Demonstrated ability to earn credibility and influence senior leadership. Exceptional editing, analysis, and synthesis skills for complex material; ability to communicate highly technical information clearly under time constraints. High degree of personal initiative, outstanding interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; team‑building, negotiation, and process‑facilitation proficiency. Exceptional leadership and management skills with the ability to build and sustain a best‑in‑class communications ecosystem. Preferred Competencies (SLAC Manager Competencies) Results through Others Aligns Priorities Applies Lab Acumen Navigates Complexity Builds Trust Builds Relationships Communicates Effectively Self‑Awareness Team Effectiveness Purpose & Vision Physical Requirements and Working Conditions Consistent with legal obligations, reasonable accommodation will be provided to employees with disabilities who require it to perform essential job functions. The position requires onsite work at SLAC. Work Standards Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills with Stanford colleagues, clients, and external organizations. Promotes a culture of safety and security, communicating related concerns and encouraging safe behaviors. Classification and Compensation Title: Institutional Communications Manager, Grade O Expected Pay Range: $267,158 – $309,385 per annum. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is an affirmative action / equal opportunity employer and supports diversity in the workplace. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital or family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. All staff must be able to demonstrate the legal right to work in the United States. SLAC is an E‑Verify employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr 6AM City, LLC