What You Will Do
Come join our team! The Staff Operations Manager (SOM) 3 will report to the Application and Data Services Division Leader and serve as a key member of the Division Leadership Team, enabling business and operations excellence in support of the ADS mission. Application and Data Services (ADS) division delivers reliable, secure, and cost-effective software, applications, and data services for LANL's business and operational needs.
As Staff Operations Manager (SOM), you will lead and provide oversight to a team of administrative and professional staff, fostering a high-performing, collaborative, and mission-focused culture. You will serve as a key advisor to division leadership, partnering to drive tactical decision-making, optimize business operations, and advance operational excellence across the organization. You will also lead and support initiatives across the larger CIO Information and Technology super division working collaboratively within a team of SOMs.
Typical responsibilities include:
Partnering with fellow division SOMs to collaborate with all division management levels on businessand operational initiatives, offering input and leadership on key issues.
Facilitating strategic and tactical communications within the division, directorate and the broader laboratory.
Serving at the primary liaison with deployed business and operational staff to plan and execute various domain-specific activities (e.g. HR, Finance, Security, etc)
Providing strategic and operational guidance to managers and employees on business, policy, and administrative matters, serving as a primary point of contact for issue resolution and escalation.
Leading workforce planning activities including staffing strategy, succession planning, hiring prioritization, and organizational design to align workforce capabilities with division objectives.
Partnering with division leadership to develop, manage, and track budgets, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities, cost efficiency, and responsible stewardship of Laboratory resources.
Establishing, monitoring, and reporting on key performance indicators (KPIs), dashboards, and metrics to assess operational effectiveness, inform decision-making, and drive continuous improvement.
Facilitating the development and execution of division strategy, including strategic planning, operational roadmaps, and performance objectives.
Leading and coordinating Division responses to institutional action items, audits, reviews, and assessments, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
Developing, implementing, and continuously improving administrative systems, processes, and procedures to enhance operational efficiency and consistency.
Serving as a liaison across divisions, directorates, and external stakeholders to coordinate business and operational activities and ensure alignment with Laboratory priorities.
Mentoring and developing administrative and professional staff to ensure consistency of operations across the Division while promoting professional growth and high performance.
Supporting and overseeing hiring, onboarding, and workforce development processes to ensure a strong and capable organization.
Driving cross-functional collaboration and influencing stakeholders to achieve division and institutional objectives.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Operational Expertise:
Comprehensive knowledge and demonstrated expertise in managing and integrating business, administrative, and operational activities, including safety, security, quality assurance, and strategic and tactical planning.
Budget and Financial Management:
Demonstrated experience in budget development, financial planning, forecasting, and execution, with the ability to align financial resources to strategic priorities and ensure cost-effective operations.
Metrics and Performance Management:
Proven ability to define, implement, and analyze KPIs, dashboards, and operational metrics to drive data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement.
Workforce Planning and Organizational Leadership:
Demonstrated experience in workforce planning, staffing strategy, succession planning, and organizational design, with a strong track record of leading, mentoring, and developing high-performing teams.
Laboratory Knowledge:
Advanced understanding of the Laboratory's organizational structure, policies, procedures, and mission objectives, and the ability to apply this knowledge to operational decision-making.
Collaboration and Leadership:
Proven ability to build effective partnerships, lead cross-functional initiatives, and influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization without direct authority.
Problem-Solving and Continuous Improvement:
Demonstrated ability to analyze complex problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement innovative, practical solutions that enhance operational performance and efficiency.
Communication:
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including influencing, negotiation, consensus building, and conflict resolution with senior leadership and diverse stakeholders.
Personnel Management:
Demonstrated success in supervising, coaching, and developing administrative and professional staff, including performance management and professional development.
Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree and at least 5 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
Desired Qualifications:
LANL Structure and Mission:
Comprehensive knowledge of Laboratory organizational structure, policies, requirements, and various business systems; expert-level understanding of LANL's business, operations, and program missions.
Change Management:
Experience leading or supporting organizational transformation and change management initiatives within a complex IT or operational environment.
Data-Driven Operations:
Experience leveraging data analytics, dashboards, and reporting tools to improve operational performance and decision-making.
LANL Business Systems:
Proficiency in multiple LANL and business and productivity systems, including LANL AI Portal, Oracle, Concur, iProcurement, Performance Management, Microsoft Teams/Forms and Microsoft Office Suite.
Work Location: The work location for this position is hybrid and is located in Los Alamos, NM. Hybrid is defined as working partially onsite/partially offsite but within 2 hours ground commute of this location. All work locations are at the discretion of management and can change at any time with appropriate notice.
Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 Year.
Note to Applicants: Along with your resume, include a detailed cover letter explaining how you meet each of the minimum job requirements and any of the desired qualifications.
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizensof the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("greencard" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
Dental and vision insurance
Free basic life and disability insurance
Paid maternity and parental leave
Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
Flexible schedules and time off (paid sick, vacation, and holidays)
Onsite gyms and wellness programs
Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Additional Details
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2 (https://int.lanl.gov/org/ddops/oma/prime-contract-management/applicable-directives/_assets/docs/DOE-O-206.2-Chg-2-LtdChg-Identity,-Credential,-and-Access-Management-ICAM-1.pdf) . Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 (https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0472.2-border-a-chg1-ltdchg/@@images/file) for additional information.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Incentive Compensation Program: Position is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.
