Head of Executive Communications

Argonne National Laboratory is hiring an experienced communications professional to lead the strategy, and execution of communications from Argonne’s Laboratory Director, Chief Operations Officer, and Chief Research Officer to internal and external audiences.

The ideal candidate thrives in a scientific or technical environment and has demonstrated experience working closely with senior-level executives to develop, adopt, and implement communications strategies that deliver measurable results and support senior executives’ goals.

Leadership, collaboration, exemplary writing and presentation-development skills, and attention to detail will be vital to candidate success.

A world-leading science laboratory, Argonne’s research portfolio spans the spectrum from fundamental to applied sciences.

Laboratory researchers pursue big, ambitious ideas with international impact in areas as diverse as biology, quantum information science, new materials, and artificial intelligence.

Operations staff enable the science mission through excellence in a wide range of professions from financial management to groundskeeping.

Argonne operates large research facilities that serve more than 7,000 researchers from around the world each year, and partners with academic, government, industrial, and community organizations to drive pivotal discoveries and foster groundbreaking innovations.

The successful candidate will develop and leverage in-depth knowledge of the laboratory’s mission, priorities, stakeholders, and partnerships.

They will lead a small team in executing high-quality communications that support the laboratory’s science mission, drive engagement, and build a positive reputation for the laboratory and its top executives.

They will be able to leverage the skills of Argonne’s teams of professional writers, editors, graphic designers, photographers, and videographers, as well as events and protocol, media relations, and digital communications personnel.

The Head of Executive Communications reports to the Chief Communications Officer / Senior Director for Communications and Public Affairs.

Position Requirements

• Demonstrated outstanding ability to plan and execute effective strategic communications projects, initiatives, products, and tactics for C-level executives.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with C-level executives, leveraging excellent listening and communications skills to understand, anticipate and represent management’s point of view to various audiences.
• Experience working with C-level executives on internal and external communications needs, including speechwriting, Congressional testimony, event briefings, etc.
• Strong management, leadership, and communication skills with experience presenting recommendations to senior management.
• Outstanding ability to develop and build presentations and write and edit content across a range of platforms and styles (formal, informal, digital, social, print).
• Adaptable writing style that can capture the unique voices of a variety of leaders.
• Skill in effectively communicating scientific and technical ideas to lay audiences.
• Outstanding project management skills, with proven experience with production schedules and successfully meeting milestones and project deadlines.
• Ability to synthesize, develop, and convey institutional messages to diverse audiences.
• Ability to connect content to organizational goals and results.
• Creativity to inspire novel approaches to repeated annual events or programs.
• Ability to adapt in a highly dynamic environment with strict attention to deadlines.
• Conscientious budget manager and steward of Lab resources.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver measurable results (increased awareness, higher client satisfaction, increased engagement, etc.).
• Strong customer service orientation, able to negotiate with internal clients to balance their needs with effective communications tactics.
• Passion for the mission of the Lab.
• Ability to model Argonne’s Core Values : Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork.
• Experience in executive communications within a scientific or technical organization, such as an academic institution, research laboratory, or non-profit, is strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, English, journalism, or a related scientific / technical discipline, and 10+ years’ experience, or equivalent.

Job Family

Professional Administrative (PA)

Job Profile

Communications / Marketing 5

Worker Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time