Director, Project Development

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is on a mission to deliver the urgent transition to fusion energy. Combining decades of research, top talent, and new technologies, we’re designing and building commercially viable fusion power plants. Join the power movement as Director, Project Development. The focus of this position is to develop and implement strategic plans to deliver the world’s first set of Fusion Power Plants to the grid by the early 2030s.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement strategic plans to deliver the world’s first set of Fusion Power Plants to the grid by the early 2030s; Manage all aspects of the project schedule including securing all permits and approvals required to begin construction on schedule and within budget; Work closely with internal CFS team members, third party consultants, engineers, and lawyers to overcome obstacles and ensure positive outcomes for CFS; Establish a predictable pipeline of viable sites for future development; Oversee a team of internal resources and third party consultants, advisors, engineers and lawyers to obtain all permits, contracts and entitlements necessary to begin site preparation and construction activities; Maintain project schedule and budget information utilizing industry standard project management techniques; Establish a center of excellence for project development including objectives and key results, performance metrics and documented best practices; Develop a diligence log; Maintain a repository of potential sites and partners for future ARC development; Work with legal and compliance teams to ensure compliance; Support technical due diligence; Create long-term projection of revenues and expenses with a proforma; Proactively detect and mitigate key risks; Lead a cross functional group of internal stakeholders, consultants, and contractors; Organize, recruit, and lead an effective project development team; Model and promote CFS Core values; Serve as CFS’ subject matter expert on project development; Develop engagement strategies for key stakeholders; Work with the ARC design team to identify opportunities to improve design, development, and construction processes

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree preferably in Engineering, Engineering Technologies, Business, Finance, Economics, Math, Physics or a related field OR >10 years of progressive experience developing large scale energy projects; 5+ years of large capital project development and investment; A minimum 5 years project management experience; Demonstrated cross-functional project leadership experience, team performance skills, service mindset approach, and the ability to act as a trusted advisor; MS Excel - Proficiency; MS Power Point - Proficiency; MS Project or P-6 Primavera - Proficiency; Deep knowledge of project development and project management practices across a wide range of domains including project finance, permitting, electrical interconnection; Experience in successfully achieving FID or financing of a major project (greater than $50 mm financing); Proven and demonstrated success leading a cross-company, multi-function enterprise team through a large, complex project; Sufficient technical aptitude to rapidly learn fundamental concepts of fusion power plants; Ability to deliver presentations to a range of external audiences in a sincere and personable manner, adhering to company talking points and messaging; Demonstrated ability to consensus build, appropriately balance competing functional drivers and effectively communicate complex topics; Demonstrated project management capabilities with proven ability to prioritize multiple projects and/or issues with conflicting deadlines and/or business unit drivers; Demonstrate a reliable and persistent work ethic, seeing tasks through to completion; Stays determined in the face of uncertainty and failure; Adaptability to a start-up environment, capability to take initiative, develop own tasks and timelines, and solve broad, ambiguous problems; Comfort and capability making judgment calls that are fundamental to the success of entire projects or major initiatives; Proven writing and communication ability, and consistent quality of work appropriate for preparing material for a broad external audience; Can respectfully challenge senior leadership with a well-reasoned and data-supported argument; Perform activities such as typing, standing, and sitting, for extended periods of time; Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call - this position will require up to 25% travel (day-trip & overnight); Work in a facility that contains industrial hazards including heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead (Pb), high voltage, high current, pressure systems, and cryogenics

Nice to have

4+ years of independent power or electric utility industry experience; Experience developing large scale (>50MW) power plants