NIST to Hire New Manufacturing Extension Partnership Director

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is about to hire a new director for the NIST Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership(MEP), a growing nationwide assistance program for smaller manufacturers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for this critical leadership position once an official vacancy announcement is posted on USAjobs.gov in the coming weeks.

MEP helps smaller manufacturers improve innovation and productivity, enhance market competitiveness, and grow their businesses. Part of the Department of Commerce, NIST is a federal research laboratory headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., that works to advance innovation and industrial competitiveness through measurements, standards and technology.
The right person for the MEP Director job will have:

• Broad knowledge and experience in manufacturing, manufacturing and industrial assistance programs, or technology based economic development as evidenced by private sector experience, program management, technical expertise, thought leadership (through publications, presentations, etc.) or the equivalent.
• Excellent communications skills  and the ability to partner with a diverse set of customers and stakeholders such as senior level federal officials; Congressional members and staff; state elected officials and policy makers; private sector manufacturing leaders, and national and regional organizations.
• A results-oriented outlook and know how to lead an organization of significant size, resource, complexity and scope that includes national-local and public-private partnerships.

Salary range $120,749 - $181,500 plus eligibility for pay adjustments and bonuses; relocation expenses may be paid. This is a Senior Executive Service (SES) position.

NIST is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, age, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or disability.

To Apply
Interested candidates must apply via www.usajobs.gov once the vacancy announcement opens, which is anticipated at the end of October 2014. Applicants will have 30 days to apply; panel interviews and other consultations with finalists will be conducted between December 2014 and January 2015 with an expected start date in Spring 2015.

Candidates may consult the Office of Personnel Management website for further information about SES qualifications and detailed guidance on writing ECQ's.

U.S. citizenship required.

For questions about the vacancy announcement, applying to the vacancy or the process in general, please contact Desiree Hanlein of the NIST Human Resources Office, desiree.hanlein [at] nist.gov (desiree[dot]hanlein[at]nist[dot]gov).