Deputy Chief Operating Officer

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has an exceptional opportunity for a senior operations leader to serve as Deputy Chief Operating Officer at one of the world’s leading research institutions. 

Reporting to the Deputy Laboratory Director for Operations/Chief Operating Officer (DLD/COO), the Deputy COO is a critical partner in shaping and advancing the Lab-wide operational strategy. This high-impact role provides the strategic and technical leadership to ensure high-quality, efficient, and compliant operations that directly enable our scientific mission. The Deputy COO is responsible for Laboratory-wide integration, providing an institutional perspective, leading strategic problem-solving across Operations and Science divisions, and enabling the Laboratory’s 30 Division Directors to execute their operational responsibilities effectively and consistently.

This position requires a leader with strong strategic judgment, credibility across technical and scientific communities, and the proven ability to advance complex institutional priorities and consistently improve Operations performance within a highly regulated environment. In this role, the successful candidate will strengthen the coherence, consistency, and effectiveness of our work and business processes, safeguarding the Laboratory's long-term "license to operate" under the ‘GOCO’ model and mitigating institutional risk to levels acceptable to the Department of Energy (DOE) and the public. In addition, the Deputy COO will play a key role in institutional planning, integrated governance, and high-level engagement with DOE, the University of California (UC), and peer institutions, ensuring operational systems consistently support world-class scientific productivity.

This is an exciting career opportunity for a senior leader to make substantial contributions that advance Berkeley Lab’s fundamental mission of providing world-class science, forging important internal and external partnerships, and pursuing operational excellence to meet Laboratory performance goals. Come be a part of something extraordinary at Berkeley Lab!

About Berkeley Lab:

Berkeley Lab is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory managed by the University of California and designated a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). The Laboratory conducts groundbreaking research focused on discovery science and solutions for abundant and reliable energy supplies. The lab’s expertise spans materials, chemistry, physics, biology, earth and environmental science, mathematics, and computing. Researchers from around the world rely on the lab’s world-class scientific facilities for their own pioneering research. Founded in 1931 on the belief that the biggest problems are best addressed by teams, Berkeley Lab and its scientists have been recognized with 17 Nobel Prizes. “Team Science” remains an integral part of Berkeley Lab’s DNA, where research is carried out across multiple scientific disciplines.

Berkeley Lab has a dynamic workforce of 4,000 employees and an annual operating budget of approximately $1.3 billion. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for DOE’s Office of Science. About 95% of the Laboratory’s funding comes from federal and state taxpayers, which highlights the importance of stewardship and trust with the public.

Key Responsibilities:

• Operations Strategy and Lab-wide Execution: Serve as a key member of the Operations Leadership Team, acting as a designee for the DLD/COO to enable and implement institutional operational strategies and priorities. Coordinate Lab-wide enterprise-wide coordination of major operational initiatives, resolve crosscutting challenges, and oversee high-visibility, Lab-wide strategic projects. Develop high-impact briefings on operational posture, risks, and progress for senior leadership and internal and external stakeholders.
• Institutional Performance and Risk Management: In partnership with the DLD/COO and Operations leadership, monitor institutional-level performance indicators to anticipate, detect, and mitigate emerging risks and trends that could negatively affect mission execution, compliance expectations, or the Laboratory’s standing with DOE. Partner with Lab Division Directors to evaluate and improve operational systems (e.g., work planning, assurance mechanisms, project execution interfaces) to identify institutional gaps, opportunities for improvement, and implementation strategies with a keen sense of urgency.
• People, Leadership, and Culture: Develop and sustain productive relationships with leadership and colleagues across the Laboratory in support of the research mission. Partner with the DLD/COO to model and promote a respectful, supportive, mission-aligned and enabling culture. Provide coaching and mentoring to Operations leaders. Support Operations Division Directors to maintain highly collaborative, problem-solving, and mission-focused leadership teams and continually evolve organizational capabilities to meet changing organizational requirements. Facilitate cross-organizational collaboration, transparency, and trust between Operations and Science. Serve as a visible leader who models professionalism, accountability, constructive engagement, and a sense of urgency in a complex institutional environment.
• Institutional Collaboration and External Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong working relationships with senior leaders across LBNL, DOE, UC National Laboratories and external partners. Assist in navigating the Laboratory’s tripartite governance structure (DOE–UCNL–LBNL) and advocate for continued infrastructure modernization and operational investment. Promote "One Lab" alignment between Science and Operations.

Required Qualifications:

• 20+ years of demonstrated progressively responsible leadership experience in complex, highly regulated, scientific, research, FFRDC, or mission-driven organizations.
• Advanced degree in a scientific, engineering, or relevant technical field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated success leading large, multidisciplinary organizations and delivering measurable institutional outcomes with clear accountability for results.
• Demonstrated experience navigating federal oversight environments (DOE, NASA, DoD, or similar FFRDC environments) and working effectively with regulatory and governance stakeholders.
• Extensive demonstrated experience in technical areas enabling operational excellence across multiple domains in at least three of the following critical technical areas: 
  • Facility management and maintenance, engineering, capital project management, security, emergency management, IT, budget/finance, human resources, organizational culture change, represented workforce and unions, multiple EHS disciplines, safety culture, and/or institutional risk and performance management.
• Strong strategic judgment with the ability to integrate scientific needs, operational constraints, regulatory expectations, and institutional priorities to solve problems and implement timely and productive solutions.
• Ability to build trust, influence outcomes, and successfully negotiate solutions to complex problems with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication skills, including the ability to deliver concise, actionable, executive-level briefings under pressure.
• Commitment to upholding the Laboratory’s stewardship principles, especially with regard to the Lab’s research, people, and resources, and ensuring that it remains a valuable national asset.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE “Q” Clearance (Top Secret equivalent).

Application Guidelines:

• Please submit your CV and letter of interest by February 17, 2026, for priority consideration. 
• In the cover letter, please highlight (i) your interest in the position, (ii) relevant organizational leadership experience, and (iii) most notable accomplishments. Please limit your letter to 2 to 3 pages.

Notes:

• Appointment Type: This is a full-time career appointment, exempt from overtime pay (monthly paid). The Deputy COO position is appointed by and serves at the discretion of the Laboratory Director, and this appointment is at will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.
• Salary Range: This position is expected to pay $325,000 to $400,000 annually; salary will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications, as well as aligned with the internal leadership peer group. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position.
• Background Check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Designated Official: This position is subject to the financial disclosure requirements of the California Political Reform Act of 1974. The successful candidate for this position will be required to file financial interest statements upon assuming this position, annually while holding this position, and when leaving this position.
• Security Clearance: This position will require DOE Q-level access authorization (security clearance) that involves an extensive federal background investigation, application, and random drug testing, and strict adherence to federal laws pertaining to such an authorization. The clearance process may take a year or longer to complete. If you hold multiple citizenships (U.S. and another country), you may be required to renounce your non-U.S. citizenship before a DOE Q clearance will be processed/granted.
• Work Modality: This position requires daily on-site presence at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA, with occasional business travel. 

Learn About Us:

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

Working at Berkeley Lab

The University of California Office of National Laboratories

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Berkeley Lab is a University of California employer. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.