Manufacturing Strategy Manager

About the role

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) seeks a dynamic, experienced professional who is passionate about applying science and technology (S&T) to strengthen U.S. industrial competitiveness, energy abundance, and resilient domestic supply chains. ORNL’s Advanced Manufacturing program operates at the nexus of energy and industry, advancing applied S&T that helps U.S. manufacturers remain innovative, cost-effective, and efficient. The Manufacturing Strategy Manager is a key strategic advisor to the Advanced Manufacturing program and Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF) leadership, driving strategic alignment, coordinating high-priority initiatives, strengthening sponsor and stakeholder relationships, and leading special projects that advance the impact of ORNL’s advanced manufacturing research portfolio. The position supports technologies funded by the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO).

Responsibilities

• Strategic and Operational Leadership
  • Design and manage internal processes and operating frameworks that improve program effectiveness, decision-making, and execution.
  • Communicate new program and MDF initiatives, sponsor priorities, and DOE directives to research leaders and staff, providing adequate time for coordinated planning and delivery.
  • Work with manufacturing leadership to develop ORNL strategy addressing CMEI Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), monitor progress, and communicate impacts toward delivery of KPIs.
  • Develop and maintain the MDF strategic plan, aligning DOE, CMEI, and DOW missions and goals with the capabilities and activities of the Advanced Manufacturing program and MDF.
  • Identify pathways to leverage program resources, capabilities, and partnerships in support of CMEI goals and emerging strategic opportunities.
  • Model and reinforce ORNL values and ethics, including Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service, while fostering a respectful, inclusive, and accessible workplace.
• Internal Alignment and Relationship Management
  • Partner with program and MDF director to implement strategies, processes, and workflows that strengthen team effectiveness and delivery to DOE, CMEI, and AMMTO.
  • Build trusted relationships with research leaders and maintain a strong, consistent flow of two-way communication across the portfolio.
  • Actively liaise between ORNL’s DOE and DOW program teams to build a shared team awareness, assess risks, develop mutually beneficial strategies, and maximize opportunities to benefit both agencies.
  • Drive alignment among relevant ORNL staff on priority initiatives, responsibilities, decisions, and deadlines.
  • Coordinate and lead monthly Advanced Manufacturing program meetings for the program director and subprogram managers, including agenda development, participant preparation, and action tracking.
  • Coordinate monthly strategic check-ins between the MDF director and MDF research leaders, including agenda development, participant preparation, and follow-up.
• Executive Support and Strategic Communication
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to the program director and MDF director, providing strategic input on priorities, opportunities, risks, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Develop executive presentations, briefing materials, talking points, and other deliverables that clearly convey scientific leadership, strategic direction, stakeholder impact, the MDF model and innovation ecosystem, and priority program messaging.
  • Work with technical staff to write and shape high-level white papers, case studies, proposals, and other strategic materials supporting signature manufacturing initiatives and opportunities for ORNL leadership.
  • Maintain a current technical MDF base deck that enables ORNL staff to communicate program and MDF research and development effectively to AMMTO, CMEI, and other external stakeholders.
  • Supervise development of quarterly Performance Evaluation and Measurement Plan (PEMP) reports and biweekly highlights, coordinating early with contributors to meet critical delivery deadlines.
• Sponsor and Stakeholder Relations
  • Engage with AMMTO leadership as a member of the MDF management team and develop/maintain a responsive, trusted sponsor relationship.
  • Coordinate strategies and responses for rapid DOE requests for information, priority AMMTO initiatives, and high-priority DOE goals.
  • Provide timely, decision-useful information to AMMTO leadership and identify communication products that address sponsor needs in coordination with the directorate communications lead.
  • Articulate how the Advanced Manufacturing program and MDF advance specific DOE and CMEI priorities and KPIs, including industrial technology transfer, industry outcomes, follow-on investment, and other measures of impact.
  • Advise AMMTO on how MDF activities contribute to or exceed Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), CMEI Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and other goals through core R&D, industry collaboration, technology deployment, and related outcomes.
  • Articulate consistent ORNL, program, and MDF messaging that strengthens brand identity and reputation among government, industry, and other key stakeholders.
• Events, Industry Engagements, and Major Conferences
  • Lead teams to plan, execute, and follow-up on virtual and in-person MDF-hosted workshops, events, and industry surveys and panels. Provide on-site leadership and support for MDF-hosted events as appropriate.
  • Coordinate research staff, administrative teams, vendors, ORNL Conference Planning, ORNL Protocol, communications personnel, and other partners to deliver successful event objectives and assignments.
  • Oversee event marketing, communication, and promotional materials in coordination with the directorate communications team.
  • Partner with the program administrative assistant to manage event registration and attendee information in Smartsheet or other approved systems.
  • Deliver timely event summaries, presentations, formal reports, and other documentation requested by DOE to demonstrate outcomes and impact of MDF-hosted events.
  • Work with research leaders and management to identify and secure an ORNL/MDF presence at major manufacturing events, including IMTS, RAPID, CAMX, DMC, and other priority conferences.
  • Align event messaging, branding, logo use, showcase content, demonstrations, and leadership talking points with ORNL and sponsor requirements.
  • Research and recommend engagement strategies for national-level events, such as CERAWeek.
• Peer Review, Merit Review and Sponsor Review Meetings
  • Lead preparation for ORNL high-level review meetings including preparation of slides, pre-read information, research demonstrations, tours, and agendas.
  • Review and recommend improvements to the structure and process of ongoing biweekly technical reviews by MDF research leads to AMMTO.
  • Provide slides and information to AMMTO for major stakeholder and review meetings.
  • Serve as chief editor for the MDF Annual Impact Report.
  • Review best practices and content for technical leads prior to quarterly update meetings with sponsors.
• ORNL’s biennial program-industry event and review
  • Lead biennial planning and execution of a 200+ person workshop and review for MDF and AMMTO, including pre-event strategy, event delivery, and post-event follow-up.
  • Serve on the core leadership team and position ORNL as “the Manufacturing Lab” for attendees and stakeholders.
  • Ensure MDF research, science, public-private partnerships, and delivery of outcomes to industry are central to the event, with AMMTO elevated as the primary sponsor.
  • Collaborate with research leaders, program management, directorate leadership, Protocol and Partnership offices, and others to develop an engaging program aligned with CMEI, AMMTO, DOW, and ORNL missions and priorities.
  • Develop and administer pre- and post-event surveys to measure engagement, outcomes, and follow-up opportunities.
• MDF Marketing to Sponsor and Partners
  • In close coordination with the Energy Science and Technology Directorate communications lead, develop and implement an integrated marketing strategy for priority industry and government audiences that highlights research impact and a return on DOE investment.
  • Develop and deliver clear, consistent messaging for use in communications products, channels, and platforms.
  • Maintain a consistent visual identity across the MDF physical environment and all print and digital materials, including social media, electronic signage, promotional materials, and event collateral.
  • Collaborate with ORNL and directorate communications professionals, including writers, graphic designers, photographers, and videographers, to supervise production of high-quality, cost-effective, visually compelling products.
  • Translate complex S&T topics into compelling, accurate communications for DOE, congressional staff, sponsors, and industry partners.
  • Edit deliverables for clarity, consistency, grammar, syntax, accuracy, and compliance with ORNL, sponsor, customer, and publisher standards.
  • Synthesize and simplify information from scientific and technical sources, including interviews with subject matter experts, into clear, concise content without loss of technical meaning.
• Supervision of the MDF Marketing Specialist
  • Support the specialist’s professional growth through ongoing mentorship, coaching, and delegation of progressively complex assignments and responsibilities.
  • Support and build the specialist’s understanding of the ORNL environment, sponsor priorities, and internal processes.
  • Promote active engagement between specialist and MDF research leaders to identify and communicate R&D activities that support AMMTO goals.
  • Oversee development and operation of digital display content for high-profile MDF visits.
  • Supervise specialist’s management of MDF event-related brand assets (banners, tablecloths, handouts, and other items) as well as audio/video inventory items.
  • Review and edit the specialist’s work and provide timely, constructive feedback.

Qualifications

• Basic Qualifications
  • BS in business, marketing, communications, journalism, public relations, English, science, engineering, or a related field.
  • At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in related positions.
  • Demonstrated experience leading complex or specialized projects from concept through completion with multidisciplinary teams in a science and technology environment, such as a national laboratory, federal agency, academic research institution, or relevant private-sector organization.
  • Ability to respond effectively to urgent requests under tight deadlines using available resources and sound judgment.
  • Self-motivated and self-directed, with exceptional attention to detail.
  • Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills in fast-paced and time-sensitive environments.
  • Excellent written, oral, interpersonal, facilitation, and presentation skills, particularly in an S&T environment.
  • Ability to engage diplomatically and effectively with senior leaders, sponsors, technical experts, and staff at all levels.
  • Ability to