Associate Laboratory Director of Human Resources The Associate Laboratory Director of Human Resources also functions as Chief Human Resources Officer for the Laboratory and leads the Human Resources Directorate, setting vision and execution on strategies to attract, engage, develop and retain a top-quality workforce of the Lab.
The position reports to the Deputy Director for Operations. The Associate Laboratory Director of Human Resources is a member of SLAC's senior management team and strategic partner and advisor to the executive management team, associate laboratory directors, and other key partners on matters of workforce strategy and planning, talent acquisition and development, succession planning, employee and labor relations. This individual also represents SLAC in a variety of activities involving DOE and Stanford University, in collaboration with the Stanford Vice President for Human Resources, and other DOE laboratories.
SLAC is operated by Stanford University for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science and is one of 17 DOE national laboratories - the most comprehensive research system of its kind in the world - providing strategic scientific and technological capabilities and expertise that cannot be found elsewhere. A major part of the Office of Science mission is supporting the development, construction, and operation of unique, open-access scientific user facilities. The laboratory is home to three Office of Science user facilities: the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) and the Facility for Advanced Accelerator Experimental Tests (FACET-II).
SLAC sits on 426 acres of Stanford land, located two miles from the main university campus. The lab's ties with Stanford have grown over the years to include several joint institutes and facilities and many collaborative research efforts. Stanford has made numerous investments in the laboratory and provides key services that make its operations more efficient. SLAC also plays a central role for Stanford, which benefits from the lab's deep expertise in critical areas and its ability to develop and run large-scale research facilities. Together with Stanford, SLAC educates and develops the U.S. scientific workforce in strategic technological areas.
Primary Responsibilities
- Develop and execute the Laboratory's HR strategy so it aligns with the Laboratory's strategy, the University's direction, and DOE contract requirements, in partnership with senior leadership.
- Set and prioritize HR initiatives with clear short- and long-term goals, and oversee the delivery of HR programs, processes, and workflows that support Lab operations.
- Provide overall leadership for the Laboratory's HR function, partnering with University HR and the SLAC HR leadership team to strengthen all HR functional areas.
- Lead on complex employee and labor relations issues and direct the creation and maintenance of Lab wide workplace policies and practices.
- Drive ongoing workforce development, including performance planning and development, talent assessment, succession planning, high potential development, and retention risk mitigation.
- Build and expand leadership development programs for employees at all levels.
- Create practical workforce planning tools, processes, and analytics that enable accurate, data-informed staffing decisions.
- Act as primary liaison to legal counsel and senior leadership on immigration, employee and labor relations, and other high-impact HR matters.
- Collaborate with the Department of Energy to meet all requirements tied to DOE orders, memoranda, and SLAC's contract.
- Oversee and optimize a complex, multi-faceted HR budget.
- Align SLAC practices with Stanford HR policies, procedures, and legal requirements.
- Coordinate with Stanford Human Resources and General Counsel to ensure compliance with university administrative policies.
- Partner with SLAC's strategic communications and external affairs team on shared initiatives and messaging.
- Promote a workplace culture where employees feel valued, respected, and empowered, grounded in SLAC's core values.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in business administration, Human Resources, or related field and 15 years of relevant human resources experience or combination of education and relevant experience. Advanced Degree preferred.
- At least 10 years of people manager experience with multiple direct reports. Minimum of 5 years of experience leading HR function for a complex organization.
- Thorough knowledge of HR management theories, concepts, techniques, and best practices.
- Demonstrated experience as a consultant and advisor to senior management in all human resources areas, including talent assessment and development and workforce planning; organizational, leadership, and employee development; client support; talent acquisition and pipeline programs; compensation; employee and labor relations; immigration and international services; HR systems, records, training compliance and data analytics.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills and understanding of group dynamics. Successful track record of establishing credibility and trust with a diverse client group, including senior leaders. Demonstrated leadership skills and management courage. Demonstrated end to end experience in the development and execution of organization wide initiatives.
- Strong analytical, critical thinking, creative problem solving, judgment, negotiating, influencing, and strategic decision making skills. Ability to maintain confidentiality, tact, and diplomacy.
- Strong supervision/management and staff development experience.
- Excellent facilitation and oral and written communication skills; ability to prepare clear and concise reports and deliver formal presentations or training to senior management and other audiences.
- Previous experience working within a research environment or university is a plus.
Certification and Licenses
- SHRM-SCP / SPHR achieved or equivalent HR experience.
Leadership Competencies And Behaviors
- Manages Relationships: Strong ability to influence through building and maintaining productive relationships, negotiation, effectively manage conflict, and motivating others.
- Effective Communicator: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively discuss with and present to all levels.
- Collaborator: Solid interpersonal skills and the ability to build coalitions and inter functional teams to leverage synergistic relationships. Demonstrated ability to effectively build and maintain working partnerships with external stakeholders.
- Deals with Ambiguity: Demonstrated ability to manage risk in a complex environment.
- Fosters Innovation: Encourages diverse thinking, new ideas, and creative problem solving and creates an environment in which unique and creative perspectives are nurtured.
- Strategic Focus: Proven forward looking, big picture thinker who plans and makes decisions in support of the mission and vision of the organization.
- Resourceful: Orchestrates resources and employs knowledge of internal structures and processes to manage multiple activities simultaneously.
- Demonstrates Accountability: Establishes clear responsibilities and processes to ensure commitments are met and results are measurable throughout the organization.
- Develops Employee Capabilities: Operates with a focus on growth through organizational and staff development; values and encourages continuing development; demonstrates a proven ability to align individual development with organizational needs and objectives.
- Recruits and Attracts Talented People: Effectively evaluates current and future workforce needs, and attracts and selects the best talent to meet them.
- Analysis and Decision making: Ability to analyze data (financial data, organizational performance metrics, etc.) and situations, develop and evaluate effective options, and make quality decisions that prove effective over time.
Work Standards
- Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for environment, safety and security; communicates related concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned. Meets the applicable roles and responsibilities as described in the ESH Manual, Chapter 1 - General Policy and Responsibilities.
- Subject to, and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide.
- As a national laboratory, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD 12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD 12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws. . click apply for full job details