Team Leader Communications - Creative Services Print & Writing, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co-workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov

*These benefits vary by job classification.

Are you passionate about operational excellence in creative production environments? Can you lead both technical specialists and creative professionals to deliver high-quality results while maintaining safety, security, and process standards? If so, we are seeking an experienced Team Lead, Communications to lead production operations.

The successful candidate will have proven experience managing operations in a fast paced, deadline-driven environment. If youre a results-focused leader who excels at operational problem-solving, team development, and process optimization in service of Sandias mission, we encourage you to apply.

On any given day, you may be called upon to:

• Lead a team of 8-10 including print production specialists (small/large format), print administrative support, graphic designers, and a writer.
• Coordinate production design and writing workflows and supervising both onsite and remote team members.
• Manage daily print operations including equipment maintenance, job scheduling, quality control, workflow optimization, and customer service for internal partners.
• Ensure quality control standards through proofing processes, production checks, and brand compliance reviews.
• Supervise onsite and hybrid team members, providing clear expectations, constructive feedback, and performance coaching.
• Ensure compliance with safety protocols, security requirements, Vault Type Room management, and Government Print Office requirements.
• Monitor equipment readiness, materials inventory, and supply chain needs to ensure operational continuity.
• Coordinate between print specialists, designers, and writers to ensure efficient file preparation, production workflows, and quality outcomes.
• Collaborate with the Manager and Team Lead, Video and Photography on hiring, performance management, capacity planning, and budget oversight.
• Implement standard operating procedures, identify process improvements, and enhance operational efficiency.
• Build effective working relationships with staff, management peers and stakeholders while maintaining operational standards.
• Exhibit a leadership mindset and embody Sandias core behaviors.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite in our printshop facility.

$99,400 - $164,100

*Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.

• A Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Communications, Fine Arts or a relevant field, plus five (5) or more years related experience; Or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance.

• Minimum of two (2) years experience managing teams with demonstrated success meeting service commitments.
• Experience in the following:
  • Production operations including equipment, scheduling, quality control, or workflow optimization in deadline-driven environments.
  • Vault Type Room management or handling classified materials in secure environments.
• Ability to adapt leadership style to work effectively with diverse work styles while maintaining consistent performance standards.
• Familiarity with print production, inventory management, or Government Print Office requirements (print expertise helpful but not required).
• Strong organizational skills with ability to prioritize projects and communicate timely operational decisions.
• Clear, direct communication with ability to provide constructive feedback and performance conversations.
• Knowledge of metrics and data-driven decision-making to optimize operations.
• Track record of process improvement and increasing operational efficiency.
• Understanding of Sandias policies and procedures, including safety and security protocols.

Sandia Communications supports external and internal communication functions for a $4 billion national security lab with over 16,000 employees. Creative Services is one of five departments in Communications, helping tell Sandias story through engaging multimedia services.

Our Print & Productions team maintains exceptional service delivery, managing high-volume print services, design work, and writing support in a secure, compliance-driven environment. This position provides an opportunity to lead operational excellence while developing both technical and creative team members in service of national security objectives.

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.