Communications Manager/Senior Communications Manager, Strategic Deterrence

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States' security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory's mission.

Pay Range

$133,950 - $164,028, Annually for the G04.4 level

$160,680 - $196,752, Annually for the G04.5 level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

We have an opening for a Communications Manager/Senior Communications Manager to support LLNL's Strategic Deterrence (SD) Principal Directorate where teams of experts from diverse fields work together to solve complex problems of national importance. In our uniquely multidisciplinary environment, the SD Communications Manager will collaborate with senior management to plan and implement strategic communications projects, establish a framework to enable a strong culture of communication, both with external stakeholders and within the internal community, that is effective and timely, and direct high-level technical communication projects to meet SD goals and ensure the fulfillment of deliverables. This position is in the Technical Information Department and matrixed to the SD Principal Directorate.

This position offers a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You will have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experiences as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities, outlined below, will be assigned if you are selected at the higher level.

You will

• Define communications strategies, messages, and key deliverables for a variety of projects targeting internal and external audiences; ensure messaging aligns across the program and supports strategic goals; coordinate all aspects of development, and review work of team members. Participate in and oversee all aspects of publishing from concept through writing, review, production, and distribution.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on key communication projects; identify recommendations for engagement to achieve communication objectives; and plan and implement communications projects, complex communication materials and presentations for senior leaders.
• Develop original technical content, provide writing and editing services, and/or coordinate the full spectrum of editorial and communication services (e.g., editing and writing for external reviews, stakeholder briefings, reports, news, and multimedia assets, including web-based content).
• Manage complex project schedules, tracking production costs and coordinating the work of others; serve as an expert project management tactician and strategic thinker, regularly making high-consequence decisions in consultation with senior leaders.
• Manage efforts of a multidisciplinary team in executing complex documents/projects with multiple contributors who may be affiliated with other government, international, or commercial entities. Collaborate with senior managers, team members, and peers to meet project and programmatic objectives.
• Take a leadership role in fostering an inclusive work environment for the team, empowering and engaging team members, and creating a collaborative culture.
• Schedule and lead communications project meetings that include communication team staff, management, and technical experts to ensure roles are clearly understood.
• Manage and coordinate SD's internal and external publications, newsletters, website, and materials to ensure message consistency, effectiveness, and audience appropriateness.
• Contribute to the evaluation and implementation of new tools, technologies, and processes; help develop metrics and process improvement methods; may represent organization on working groups or committees.

In addition, at the G04.5 level:

• Use creative, independent thinking to solve complex problems. Operate with significant decision-making latitude in developing high-consequence communication products for senior leaders, leveraging expert knowledge of the program and communication techniques to execute complex projects with very little advanced guidance from the customer.
• Oversee budget and monitor expenditures working with resource management staff. Manage deployment of resources, and oversee scheduling, budgeting and cost control activities; resolve complex issues.
• Contribute to the development of the SD staffing plan, determine functional hiring needs and sources, establish technical/artistic/service competencies and participate in the hiring of candidates against criteria, ensuring appropriate capabilities.
• Serve as an expert-level technical communications resource and subject area expert for senior leaders, recognized institutionally as an expert in your area of communication. Work under consultative direction toward goals and objectives for technical communications projects, which frequently have significant institutional or national impact, high visibility, and high consequence of error.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor's Degree in a field relevant to technical communications such as English, communications, journalism, or a scientific area, or the equivalent combination of education and related experience in technical communications.
• Experience in strategic and executive communications, as well as in leading and managing complex, high-visibility projects with a diverse group of exempt and non-exempt technical communications staff.
• Advanced communication and interpersonal skills and ability to interact effectively with all levels of personnel, including senior management internal and external to the organization.
• Advanced organization, problem solving, analytical, and decision-making skills to enable the organization to achieve its overall objectives and goals, including making difficult project management decisions, rebalancing project scope, timeline, and resources mid-project to adjust to a changing environment or customer needs.
• Knowledge and experience with specialized technical concepts, methods, techniques, and practices related to technical communications; subject matter expert in a core communications discipline (e.g., technical writing, graphic arts, photography).
• Self-starter, comfortable multitasking with ability to work to deadlines and respond to tight, shifting schedules, including effective interpersonal skills and ability to work both independently and within a team environment.
• Experience leading and overseeing technical communications activities for a large scientific/government organization in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience identifying and implementing technology solutions and process improvements to meet requirements, improve quality, and increase efficiency.
• Advanced knowledge of and experience using style conventions, professional principles, and technical communication practices and standards; experience with digital publishing and web production tools, and with implementing UX/UI and accessibility best practices.

In addition, at the G04.5 level:

• Advanced technical skills in a variety of communications areas and extensive experience working with highly visible and sensitive technical content using specialized concepts, methods, and techniques; recognized institutionally as an expert in communications and relied upon by senior leadership for strategic communication guidance.
• Experience directing the work of others, and leading project management and process improvement initiatives within a large and complex organization.
• Experience developing budgets, monitoring expenditures, and working with resource management staff.

Desired Qualifications

• Active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance at the time of hire
• Expert knowledge of the U.S. nuclear weapons programs and the underpinning science and capabilities that support the Nation's nuclear deterrent.
• Experience as a trusted strategic communication advisor for senior leaders in a large and complex organization.
• Extensive experience making decisions on complex communication issues of institutional or national impact without the benefit of relevant precedent.

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• FlexibleBenefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visithttps://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.If you are selected, wewill initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if youmeet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the useand/or possession ofmobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area whereyou are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile devicein your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

Ifyou useamedical device, whichpairs with a mobile device,you must still follow the rules concerningthe mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities requireseparate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

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Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

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