Deputy Chief Operations Officer - Ames National Laboratory

Deputy Chief Operations Officer - Ames National Laboratory Job Group: Professional & Scientific Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and 8 years of related experience Job Description: Summary of Duties and Responsibilities: Ames National Laboratory is seeking a dynamic leader to serve as the Deputy Chief Operations Officer (DCOO). The successful candidate will demonstrate a proven track record of strategic leadership, operational excellence, and continuous improvement. The candidate will be responsible for motivating and managing high-performing teams to support the Laboratory's scientific mission and will responsibly steward Lab resources to achieve institutional goals and objectives. The DCOO supports the Chief Operations officer in overseeing and optimizing the Laboratory's day-to-day operations. The role provides strategic and operational leadership across multiple functional areas, ensures operational excellence, and drives the implementation of organizational priorities. The DCOO acts on behalf of the CO as needed and plays a key role in translating strategy into effective execution. This role is pivotal in implementing process improvements, communicating changes to stakeholders, and project execution. The DCOO is essential in ensuring administration and compliance of the contract between the Department of Energy and Iowa State University of Science and Technology for the operations of Ames National Laboratory. Preferred Qualifications: Demonstrated experience managing a highly-integrated organization, providing effective oversight and guidance of operational, people management, and administrative matters. Experience working with the Department of Energy, including the Department of Energy's national laboratories, and their mission and operations. Experience administering a major federal government management and operations contract, understanding and managing a scientific facility, overseeing compliance management, general operational processes, and federal reporting. Experience working with the administration of a major research University. An advanced degree in business administration, engineering, physical sciences, or related fields that will inform the operations of the Laboratory. Department/Program & College Description: Ames National Laboratory is a U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratory managed by Iowa State University (ISU) and designated a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). Roughly 95% of the Laboratory's funding comes from federal and state support, creating a special relationship of stewardship and trust with the public. Therefore, the DCOO is expected to exercise, model, and ensure the highest standards of business and operations accountability and transparency, demonstrating our responsibility to the DOE mission and to citizens who support our research. Department Unit/Website: www.ameslab.gov Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position. Application Instructions: To apply for this position, please click on Apply and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following: Resume/Curriculum Vitae Letter of Application/Cover Letter List of Professional References Why Choose Iowa State University? Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as: Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa) Life insurance and long-term disability Flexible Spending Accounts Various voluntary benefits and discounts Employee Assistance Program Wellbeing program Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager. If you have questions regarding this application process, please email ..., or call ... or Toll Free: .... Appointment Type: Regular Number of Months Employed Per Year: 12 Month Work Period Time Type: Full time Pay Grade: PS813 Original Posting Date: May 29, 2026 Posting Close Date: June 30, 2026 Job Requisition Number: R19324 Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. ..., email .... General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications. By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities. Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community. Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work. All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university's verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check. Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. ..., email .... If you have questions about the application process please email ... or call ... or Toll-Free at .... Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email ... or call ... or Toll-Free: .... TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or .... General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.