Director, Project Development

Devens, MA & Richmond, VA Business 6 PowerBu / Full-time / Hybrid About Commonwealth Fusion Systems: Commonwealth Fusion Systems is on a mission to deliver the urgent transition to fusion energy. Combining decades of research, top talent, and new technologies, we9re designing and building commercially viable fusion power plants. And working with policymakers and suppliers to build the energy industry of the future. We9re in the best position to make it happen. Since 2018, we9ve raised nearly $3 billion in capital, making us the largest and leading private fusion company in the world. Now we9re looking for more thinkers, doers, builders, and makers to join us. People who9ll bring new perspectives, solve tough problems, and thrive as part of a team. If that9s you and this role fits, we want to hear from you. Join the power movement as Director, Project Development We are a historic moment, with CFS on the cusp of proving the commercial viability of fusion power via our SPARC demonstration plant in Devens, MA. This role will play an instrumental part in taking the next step after this proof point by developing and delivering the first grid scale commercial fusion power plant. We are looking for an exceptional candidate, with the experience, tenacity,and drive to not only develop the site for the first ARC power plant near Richmond,VA,but establish the pipeline and the playbook to deliver the first set of ARC power plants. This is a unique opportunity to participate in the delivery of power plants that will mark a new era of commercial fusion power. The focus of this position is to develop and implement strategic plans to deliver the world9s first set of Fusion Power Plants to the grid by the early 2030s. The Director,Project Development is responsible for managing all aspects of the project schedule which include securing all permits and approvals required to begin construction on schedule and within budget. The candidate will work closely with internal CFS team members,third party consultants,engineers,and lawyers,and allies to overcome obstacles and ensure positive outcomes for CFS. This candidate will also work to establish a predictable pipeline of viable sites for future development,including a level of positive public support at the local and regional level.

What youll do:

• Deliver:
• The candidate will be responsible for overseeing a team of internal resources as well as third party consultants, advisors, engineers and lawyers to obtain all permits, contracts and entitlements necessary to begin site preparation and construction activities. Activities include, but are not limited to, lease and site control, electrical interconnection, securing local approvals including planning and zoning, technical diligence, utility connections, CPCN/Siting boards, permitting, licensing, and transportation and logistical planning and well as financial modeling and overseeing the development of a financial proforma model
• Maintain project schedule and budget information utilizing industry standard project management techniques and strategies to plan and monitor work. Develop appropriate recovery plans in the event of potential shortfalls
• Establish a center of excellence for project development including objectives and key results, performance metrics and documented best practices and lessons learned with the intent of creating a replicable playbook for future development
• Drive process improvements and, where applicable, drive the development of tools and/or department or division policies.
• Develop a diligence log to keep accurate information on all aspects of the project
• Develop and maintain a repository of potential sites and partners for future ARC development
• Maintain an inventory of commitments and obligations during the development phase and confirm positive receipt by appropriate persons in the Environmental, Health, Safety,and Security (EHSS) and Construction teams
• Work with legal and compliance teams to ensure compliance with all relevant and applicable requirements, standards,and laws
• Support technical due diligence on potential and selected sites, ensuring appropriate rigor and documentation of key risks and decisions
• Create long-term projection of revenues and expenses with a proforma to be utilized in obtaining financingand making a financial investment decision for project equity investors
• Problem Solve:
• Proactively detectand mitigate key risks tothe project, escalating emergent risks when appropriate in a timely manner
• Facilitateand leadthe development of creative solutions to potentially blocking issues
• Work collaboratively with local consultantsand contractorsto adapt to requirements from various authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) forthe project(s)
• Maintain familiarity with currentand upcoming Policiesand Programs that could affect or facilitate fusion power plant siting
• Expand flexibility forthe designand construction teams throughoutthe development phase by managingand deferring potentially constraining design decisions.
• Work closely with ARC design team to support site specific design changes tothe standard ARC power plant design
• Lead:
• Modeland promote CFS Core values of Execution, Self-Critique, Impact,and Integrity
• Organize, recruit,and lead an effective project development team composing of both direct reportsand matrixed professionals focused on delivering fusion power projects inthe fastestand most affordable way possible
• Conduct assessment of external affairsand participate in industry conferencesand forums to advocate for policies supportive of fusion technology.
• Facilitateand lead a cross functional group of internal stakeholders, consultants,and contractors
• Coordinate due diligence activities with other internal groups to ensure proper analysisand structuring of assigned projects
• Serve as CFS’ subject matter expert on project development

and represent the company professionally with integrity to stakeholders and approval authorities

• Provide periodic updates on progress to a varied set of internal stakeholders ranging from peer teams to the board of directors
• Fulfill duties as contract manager/owner for all consultants supporting project development
• Act as liaison between internal

and external specialists regarding procurement,, contracting,, permitting,, and interconnection

• Serve as an ambassador of CFS

and fusion energy to key stakeholders including,, but not limited to,the community,, local,and regional governments,, ,and AHJs

• Utilizes commercial expertise to solidify commercial agreements

,and lead negotiations with integrity,, creativity,, ,and a commercial mindset

• Promotes safe behavior,,

,in accordance with Company expectations,, ,and adherence ,to ,the safety rules on ,the project

• Develop

,and implement corporate compliance policies ,to be utilized while developing ,the project ,and interfacing with public officials

• Strategize:
• Working closely with Government Affairs,,

develop engagement strategies for key stakeholders to produce positive outcomes for CFS

• Develop,,

track ,and mitigate key risks associated with ARC project development

• Participate in future ARC siting activities addressing items such as technical feasibility,,

planning,, ,and permitting risks.

• Establish relationships with potential third-party developers

and key policy makers to promote a strategy for future incorporation of fusion technology

• Support other teams,,

including Government Affairs and other Commercial Teams,, as required to support the needs of the business

• Maintain a value driven mindset

to advance multiple streams of value including financial value,, option value,, and audience value to improve CFS’s overall value proposition

• Work with ,and support corporate development,, finance,, and commercial organizations on activities related ,to financing , ,and investment , of , the projects
• Work closely with Environmental Health Safety Security (EHSS) ,to ensure required licensing is accomplished on schedule
• Work with ,the ARC design team ,to identify opportunities ,to improve ,the design,, development,, ,and construction processes

What we're looking for:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferably in Engineering,, Engineering Technologies,, Business,, Finance,, Economics,, Math,, Physics or a related field OR>10 years progressive experience developing large scale energy projects  - 5+ years large capital project development & investment  - Minimum 5 years project management experience  - Demonstrated cross-functional project leadership experience,,, team performance skills,,, service mindset approach,,, ability as trusted advisor  - MS Excel proficiency  - MS Power Point proficiency  - MS Project or P-6 Primavera proficiency  - Deep knowledge: project development & management practices across domains incl. finance permitting electrical interconnection  - Experience achieving FID or financing major projects (> $50 mm)  - Proven success leading cross-company multi-function enterprise teams through large complex projects  - Sufficient technical aptitude rapidly learning fundamental concepts fusion power plants  - Ability delivering presentations externally sincere personable manner adhering company talking points/messaging  - Demonstrated ability consensus build balancing competing functional drivers communicating complex topics effectively  - Demonstrated project management capabilities prioritizing multiple projects/issues conflicting deadlines/business drivers   - Reliable persistent work ethic seeing tasks through completion; determined facing uncertainty/failure   - Adaptability startup environment; initiative; develop own tasks/timelines; solve broad ambiguous problems   - Comfort/capability making judgment calls fundamental success entire projects/major initiatives   - Proven writing/communication ability consistent quality work preparing material broad external audience   - Can respectfully challenge senior leadership well-reasoned data-supported argument   ### Bonus points for: -4+ years independent power or electric utility industry experience   -Experience developing large scale (>50MW) power plants   ### Must-have requirements: -Perform activities such as typing standing sitting extended periods   -Willingness occasionally travel/work nights/weekends/on-call up to 25% travel (day-trip & overnight)   -Work facility containing industrial hazards incl heat cold noise fumes strong magnets lead (Pb) high voltage high current pressure systems cryogenics   $170000-$250000/year salary range + equity + benefits. Actual salary depends on level location qualifications experience. Range reflects new hire salaries across US locations. Benefits include:   • Competitive compensation w/ equity   •12.5 Company-wide Holidays   • Flexible vacation days   •10 sick days   • Generous parental leave policy   • Health dental vision insurance   •401(k) w/ employer matching   • Professional growth opportunities   • Team-building activities #LI-Onsite At CFS we excel fast-paced environments driven by values integrity execution impact self critique. As we grow eager bring mission-driven folks offering diverse perspectives fresh ways tackle challenges. We value diversity deeply proud equal opportunity employer by choice considering all qualified applicants equally regardless race color national origin ancestry citizenship status protected veteran status religion physical mental disability marital status sex sexual orientation gender identity expression age any other basis protected by law. **This role requires compliance U.S laws concerning export controlled/protected technologies/information (Export Control Laws"). Any offer contingent on compliance Export Control Laws.