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Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) provides innovative scientific and technical solutions for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and other customers, including commercial, federal, state and local government organizations, to advance national priorities in science, health and education. The solutions and outcomes we deliver to our customers are enhanced by our consortium of more than 150 leading US colleges and universities.
ORAU is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that has been working with government agencies, universities, and corporate entities since 1946.
Purpose: Reporting directly to the ORAU Board of Directors, the President & CEO of ORAU is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of ORAU’s business and higher education consortium programs, and has primary corporate responsibility for contract assurance. The President & CEO is primarily responsible for establishing the strategic direction for ORAU by achieving consensus and buy-in on a vision and a strategic plan to meet long-term corporate goals and effectively energizing the organization to meet these goals. Additionally, the President & CEO is responsible for advancing ORAU’s thought leadership, community, and government relations with key stakeholders to include its Board of Directors, its higher education consortium, major customers, and congressional delegations.
Responsibilities:
- Establishes and maintains ORAU’s strategic direction by seeking, developing, and updating a sound strategy that incorporates multiple perspectives, analyzes best courses of action, and sets short- and long-term goals that allows priorities to be adjusted based on changing circumstances.
- Makes sound operational decisions to address organizational issues that demonstrate decisiveness, resolve, and accountability and are in the overall best interests of the organization.
- Drives sustained execution of ORAU’s strategic plan by continually conveying the importance of its business strategy, measuring progress related to ORAU’s business goals, and insisting on accountability to those goals.
- Builds organizational talent by assessing talent gaps, establishing systems to recruit and retain talent across the organization, and creating strong succession plans to invigorate ORAU’s talent pipeline.
- Employs a sound business development strategy that identifies key market drivers and takes calculated risks for increased value and brand differentiation.
- Energizes the organization by effectively communicating ORAU’s vision and strategic direction. Secures the commitment of internal and external stakeholders to the organization’s mission, vision, and values.
- Leads change by recognizing the need to change and by mobilizing others to take action to overcome resistance to change. Supports innovation as a tool for increasing the value and success of corporate operations. Effectively communicates and creates accountability regarding the outcomes of change.
- Leads corporate strategy and customer contact for contract assurance.
- Builds trusting relationships with employees, customers, and key stakeholders to enhance loyalty and influence, and to advance ORAU’s business culture and reputation.
- Operates from a duty location at ORAU in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Minimum Requirements:
Master’s degree in business, scientific, technical, education or related field and 10 or more years of managerial and operational experience. Advanced degree or equivalent combination of education and experience performing duties as described may be substituted for the minimum requirements.
- Leadership skills and abilities commensurate with the position.
- Demonstrated skills to drive profitable growth that minimize risk and maximize opportunities.
- Ability to:
- Drive organizational and cultural change to achieve organization’s vision and goals by introducing new approaches and overcoming resistance to change.
- Create and exert influence with both internal and external stakeholders that garners their commitment to and accountability for pursuing the organization’s strategic direction.
- Generate alternatives to take advantage of strategic or operational opportunities. This includes developing decision criteria that prioritize the highest potential business outcomes and most critical customer needs.
- Proactively confront difficult issues and initiate bold action to resolve said issues while accepting accountability and responsibility for both the issues and related actions taken.
- Establish strategic direction for the organization by communicating a compelling vision that sets short- and long-term goals for its achievement.
- Obtain and maintain both a DOE Q and DOD Top Secret Clearance.
Preferred Requirements:
- Experience leading complex and high functioning organizations.
- Possess a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) degree or in a field related to ORAU’s business.
- At least 5 years of government contracting and relations experience with DOE, National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), or other government agencies that comprise the majority of ORAU’s business portfolio.
- At least 5 years of experience in Board governance, relations, and operations.
- At least 5 years of experience in community relations and service in community organizations that promote a sound business-community partnership.
- Possess knowledge such that can identify key market drivers to create and seize business opportunities that allow the organization to expand into new markets and launch new products and services.
- Ability to:
- Establish systems and processes to develop, engage, and retain talented employees and create work environments where they can realize their full potential.
- Obtain and maintain Top Secret Sensitive Compartment Information (SCI) designation that allows access to Special Access Programs (SAP).
- Analyze financial data to determine strengths and weaknesses of business cases and derive sound courses of action in pursuit of business objectives.
- Maintain a positive attitude in the face of difficult or challenging situations that instills trust and confidence in both internal and external stakeholders.
- Set organizational vision and values.
Employment and Total Rewards:
- The candidate’s starting salary will be determined upon hire and ORAU will use salary survey data, internal comparators, and the candidate’s qualifications to determine salary.
ORAU has a strategic approach to providing total rewards to employees through a fair, equitable, and competitive total compensation package. The goal of our total rewards system is to integrate compensation, benefits, work-life balance, performance, recognition, development, and career opportunities to attract, engage, and retain the talent required to achieve ORAU’s business objectives. The benefit component of our total rewards program supports business goals by offering the following benefits based on employee eligibility:
- Legally required benefits
- Retirement plan access
- Travel Accident Insurance
The ORAU total reward package also promotes work-life balance. Mindful of the need for employees to care for themselves and their families, ORAU offers the following additional work-life benefits based on employee eligibility:
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Paid Holidays
- Occupational Health and Wellness Programs
- Employee Assistance Program
- Flexible work schedules or compressed work weeks
- Telework
**The ORAU President & CEO position is based at the corporate office in Oak Ridge, TN, and the chosen candidate must be willing and able to work on-site.
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