Vice President, Project Management Office

Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS) has the fastest, lowest cost path to commercial fusion energy. CFS collaborates with MIT to leverage decades of research combined with groundbreaking new high-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnet technology. HTS magnets will enable compact fusion power plants that can be constructed faster and at lower cost. Our mission is to deploy these power plants to meet global decarbonization goals as fast as possible. To that end, CFS has assembled a team of leaders in tough tech, fusion science, and manufacturing with a track record of rapid execution. Supported by the world’s leading investors, CFS is uniquely positioned to deliver limitless, clean, fusion power to combat climate change. To implement this plan, we are looking to add dedicated people to the team who treat people well, improve our work by adding multifaceted perspectives and new ways of solving problems, have achieved outstanding results through a range of pursuits, and have skills and experience related to this role. CFS is now a multi-project company as we complete SPARC, ramp up design work on ARC, and deliver magnets to internal and external customers. With this, we’re becoming a project-centric, matrixed organization and we are looking for our next Vice President of Project Management Office to set the vision for how CFS does projects and to build, nurture, and lead our team of Project Managers and Project Engineers. As VP of PMO, you will be in a highly impactful and visible role in the company, reporting directly to the COO, working closely with the executive team, and positioning the company for our successful demonstration of net fusion energy with SPARC and the subsequent deployment of ARC power plants throughout the world. This team member will:

• Set and reinforce the vision for our Project Management Office. Continually explore and solicit feedback internally and externally to understand how different PMOs are organized, what works and doesn’t work about different approaches, and determine the right approach for CFS
• Build CFS’s Project Management processes. Define how CFS does projects, including project inception, project planning, project execution, and project closure
• Architect CFS’s Project management tools and systems, working with our Enterprise Information Systems group to develop and deliver these tools
• Build and grow CFS’s team of Project Managers, Project Engineers, and Project Controllers. Create robust training to teach the CFS way of project management. Continue to support them and provide a Project Management homeroom as PMs are deployed to deliver various projects throughout the company
• In all of this, increase CFS’s ability to safely deliver projects with speed, and with a strong, data-driven emphasis on metrics that drive the organization
  
  
  

The ideal candidate will have most, if not all, of these requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field
• 15+ years of experience in relevant project management leadership roles
• Experience building Project Management visions, capabilities, and functions
• Experience developing and deploying Project Management processes and tools, and continuously improving them
• Experience working with projects in similar size and scope to SPARC
• Experience working in a fast-paced environment where speed is prioritized over perfection
• A broad understanding of the many different project management approaches across different industries, and the ability to determine the right approaches for a specific area
  
  
  

Additional preferred experience and/or qualifications:

• Perform activities such as typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time
• Dedication to safety to mitigate hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead, high voltage, and cryogenics
• Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally
  
  
  

CFS team members thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and have demonstrated exceptional results through a range of different pursuits. We all tightly align with our company values of integrity, execution, impact and self-critique. As we grow, we are looking to add talented people who are mission driven and bring diverse perspectives and new ways of solving problems. At CFS, we deeply value diversity and are an equal opportunity employer by choice. We consider all qualified applicants equally for employment. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.