Senior Functional Project Management Leader

What You Will Do

The Functional Project Management Leader provides high-level functional oversight, governance, and analytical support for the Laboratory's construction project portfolio executed under U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) directives and standards.

This position serves as a strategic and functional authority within the Construction Projects Execution organization, ensuring consistent application of DOE project management principles, compliance with DOE Orders, and alignment with internal management frameworks. The role does not direct day-to-day project operations; instead, it interfaces with both internal and external stakeholders to deploy project managers and support project reviews, assess project health, and drive continuous improvement in performance and compliance.

Job Duties

• Support the Director of Construction Projects Execution in establishing and maintaining project management standards, governance structures, and best practices consistent with DOE guidance.
• Serve as the functional subject matter expert (SME) for project management systems, processes, and performance reporting across construction projects.
• Coordinate and participate in project reviews (such as Independent Project Reviews (IPRs), External Independent Reviews (EIRs), and Management Assessments), ensuring project readiness, data quality, and compliance with exceptions.
• Interface with internal project teams, and external reviewers to facilitate communication, documentation exchange, and review close-out activities.
• Consolidate and analyze portfolio-level performance data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement; prepare dashboards, metrics, and executive summaries for leadership and stakeholders.
• Provide functional guidance on project management disciplines, including progress management, risk management, configuration management, and schedule integration.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by integrating lessons learned, benchmarking practices, and policy updates into organizational procedures.
• Develop and maintain templates, tools, and training materials to enhance consistency and capability in project management execution.
• Contributes to fostering a culture of safety, quality, and accountability in all project management activities.
  
  

What You Need - Minimum Job Requirements

• Project management experience in DOE, federal, or large-scale construction environments, with emphasis on governance, assurance, or functional oversight roles.
• Demonstrated familiarity with DOE guidelines and Integrated Safety Management (ISM) principles.
• Experience supporting or coordinating project reviews and/or DOE Critical Decision (CD) milestone processes.
• Proficiency with project control systems, performance reporting tools, and enterprise data visualization platforms (for example, Primavera P6, MS Project, Power BI).
• Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills, with ability to synthesize technical data for executive and stakeholder audiences.
• Proven capability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, project managers, and technical staff in a multi-stakeholder environment.
  
  

Education

Position requires a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution and 12 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation

This position may be subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities. This DOE Order establishes entry-level requirements to ensure employees in the positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job

Key Competencies

• Ability to apply risk-informed judgment to complex projects and portfolio decisions.
• Strong interpersonal skills and professionalism in representing the Laboratory to DOE, contractors, and review boards.
• Capacity to analyze and present performance data clearly and objectively to leadership.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in project delivery support.
  
  

Performance Indicators

• Timely and successful coordination of project reviews.
• Demonstrable improvement in project management consistency and compliance across the organization.
• Reduction in repeat findings or deficiencies identified in project assessments.
• Effective communication and coordination with stakeholders and project teams.
  
  

Work Environment

• Office and field-based collaboration.
• Regular coordination with CPE management, Project Management Offices, internal stakeholders, and internal project teams.
• Occasional travel required to project sites or other LANL approved travel locations.
  
  

Additional Information

• Applicants must meet eligibility requirements for access to federal sites and federal programs; U.S. citizenship may be required.
• The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test.
• The Laboratory supports a strong safety culture and expects all employees to participate fully.
• The application must include a resume and a cover letter addressing how you meet the required and desired qualifications.
  
  

Desired Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Project Management, or Business Administration.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification.
• Experience with DOE-compliant reporting.
• OSHA 30 certification or equivalent construction safety training.
• Q Clearance
  
  

Work Environment:

Location: This position will be physically located in Los Alamos, NM USA.

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 2 years.

Notes to Applicants: For full consideration, applicants must submit a comprehensive cover letter that specifically addresses their knowledge and experience as it relates to the job duties and knowledge of the position.

• Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" 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 childbirth 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. 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.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

• 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 for additional information. No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.
  
  

426.2A: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2A, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.

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.