At UL, we know why we come to work.
The Electrochemical Safety Research Institute (ESRI), of Underwriters Laboratories Research Institutes, is recruiting a Director of Laboratory Operations. The Director will lead, direct, and manage laboratory operations for the Electrochemical Safety Research Institute. This Director will work with researchers, scientists, lab staff, and other stakeholders to identify and put in place needed capital equipment to meet research demands. The role will lead activities with leadership, internal teams and other key stakeholders to identify, share, and implement best practices and strategies to continually improve laboratory operations and support ESRI innovations that advance the growth of the institute.
The Electrochemical Safety Research Institute advances UL Research Institutes' public safety mission by investigating the safety and performance limits of energy technologies. ESRI conducts and publishes research on energy storage technology issues that range from consumer products to transportation and grid storage. Collaborating with a wide variety of partners to help meet the world's energy safety needs, ESRI convenes a diverse group of stakeholders at events such as global battery summits and webinars to find data-driven solutions to new and emerging energy storage risks. ESRI also co-leads the Battery Safety Council with the National Transportation Safety Board.
At Underwriters Laboratories, we wake up every day with a common purpose: to make the world a safer, more secure and sustainable place. Science is in our DNA; we are endlessly curious and passionate about seeking and speaking the truth. We take delight in knowing that our work makes a meaningful contribution to society, and we are proud that our culture is centered on integrity, collaboration, inclusion and excellence. Underwriters Laboratories stands at the forefront of technological advancement, and we are continually challenged to find new ways to foster innovation and positive change. Satisfying? Yes. Exciting? Absolutely!
UL has COVID-19 protocols and policies in place to ensure the safety of our employees, customers and clients. Effective November 1, 2021, the company mandates that employees are vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment (except where prohibited by law), subject to reasonable accommodation as required by law.
What you'll learn & achieve:

• Lead, direct, and manage laboratory operations to ensure needed capital equipment meet and exceeds research demands, while maintaining flexibility to partner with other stakeholders to ensure institute success.
• Responsible for development, implementation, and optimization of laboratory equipment to meet and/or exceed researcher expectations by assuring the development and maintenance of state-of-the-art laboratory equipment.
• Lead the development of further lab expansions specific to ESRI.
• Build strong relationships with all ULRI lab operation teams to create alignment between various research projects in order to optimize lab resources and maintain the highest levels of quality and facility compliance.
• Ensure operational consistency, continuous improvement, and application of policies and procedures to ensure a high performing and safe workplace.
• Develop laboratory operations budget to inform laboratory space utilization plans and ensure appropriate staffing plans to support research growth.
• Create and analyze utilization reports to advise research staff and leaders on proper implementation and application of lab software and other automation tools.
• Establish and maintain a strong line of communications between peers, other lab leaders, and stakeholders to achieve high levels of execution and operational success.
• Promote and drive a high-performance team by managing the performance of direct and indirect reports as appropriate by defining accountabilities, establishing performance objectives, providing feedback and guidance, and ensuring that all policies are understood and followed.
• Perform other duties as directed.

What makes you a great fit:

• Expert knowledge in chemistry laboratory requirements and operations, management, equipment, space, safety, and compliance.

• Problem solving skills with the ability to identify root causes, develop practical solutions, and work in collaboration with colleagues across the organization to address strategic, operational, and any other roadblocks to success.
• Strong management, initiative, and influence skills to create alignment with multiple stakeholders and deliver results in a matrix organization.
• Positive and collaborative attitude with strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with leaders and colleagues across the organization.
• Strong management style that engages and leads the development of a high performing team by setting high standards and driving accountability for process and results.
• High degree of curiosity to learn about the mission and impact of the organization and its areas of specialization.
• Excellent written and oral communication along with strong presentation skills.
• Ability to operate at a high level, including attention to detail, ability to multitask and work on tight deadlines.
• Strong focus on quality, speed, and outcomes with a willingness to both lead the work and execute.

Experience and Education Requirements

• Advanced Degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field plus 10 years directly related experience within a laboratory environment.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant management/leadership experience.

What you'll experience working at UL:

• Mission: For UL, corporate and social responsibility isn't new. Making the world a safer, more secure and sustainable place has been our business model for the last 128 years and is deeply ingrained in everything we do.
• People: Ask any UL employee what they love most about working here, and you'll almost always hear, "the people." Going beyond what is possible is the standard at UL. We're able to deliver the best because we employ the best.
• Interesting work: Every day is different for us here as we eagerly anticipate the next innovation that our customers' create. We're inspired to take on the challenge that will transform how people live, work and play.
• Grow & achieve: We learn, work and grow together with targeted development, reward and recognition programs as well as our very own UL University that offers extensive training programs for employees at all stages, including a technical training track for applicable roles.
• Total Rewards: All employees at UL are eligible for bonus compensation. We offer a generous 401k matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay. Additionally, we invest an additional 4% into your retirement saving fund after your first year of continuous employment. We provide Healthcare Reimbursement Accounts and Health Savings Accounts that UL contributes to twice per year! Depending on your role, you can work with your manager on flexible working arrangements. We also provide employees with paid time off including vacation, holiday, sick and volunteer time off.

Learn More:
UL Research Institutes is an affiliated nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing safety science research through the discovery and application of scientific knowledge. We conduct rigorous independent research and analyze safety data, convene experts worldwide to address risks, share knowledge through safety education and public outreach initiatives, and develop standards to guide safe commercialization of evolving technologies. We foster communities of safety, from grassroots initiatives for neighborhoods to summits of world leaders. Our organization employs collaborative and scientific approaches with partners and stakeholders to drive innovation and progress toward improving safety, security, and sustainability, ultimately enhancing societal well-being.
Our wholly owned subsidiary, UL Inc., advances our shared public safety mission. We fund our work through grants, the licensing of standards documents and the business activities of UL Inc., which conducts testing, verification and certification, and provides training and advisory services, along with data-driven reporting and decision-making tools for customers around the world.
To learn more, visit our websites UL.org and ULSE.org.