Senior Director, People Operations

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.

As the Senior Director, People Operations you will collaborate closely with executive and senior leaders to drive business strategy and enhance our ability to execute and deliver results. You will take an active role in challenging, coaching, and motivating leaders to elevate their performance. By fully integrating into the organization there is an opportunity to understand the people, the work, and identifying both strengths and areas for improvement.  The goal will be to propose innovative solutions that align with the company culture, addressing challenges and seizing opportunities. 

You’ll support the leaders in building and sustaining a team that meets both current and future needs. This includes implementing, and when necessary, developing People Operations policies, processes, and initiatives, such as review cycles, promotion cycles, and succession planning, that are aligned with strategic business goals. Additionally, smooth transitions will be ensured during periods of change, with close collaboration with the broader People Operations team. This includes working with Talent Development to ensure effective onboarding at the division level.

• STRATEGY
• In consultation with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) partners, develops the People Operations Strategy and operational plan to drive the organization toward desired business outcomes
• Establishes clear deliverables and measures of success for people programs and initiatives
• Takes turns with other People Operations Business Leaders in defining approaches to key programs such as promotions, performance reviews, succession planning and more

• STRATEGIC PARTNERING
• Builds effective collaborative relationships with People Operations leaders across divisions to deliver integrated solutions
• Understands and takes action on challenges, opportunities and interdependencies that underpin key human capital decisions and actions
• Influences and builds relationships with the executive team and people managers to position People Operations as a trusted advisor to the business
• Drives the talent agenda to build a sustainable pipeline of world class talent through acquisition , appropriate talent moves, retention and development actions
• Partners with leaders to ensure they know their talent
• Drives high performance across the business through coaching of leaders
• Challenges the business leaders they support to ensure a better outcome on people related matters
• Uses data and metrics to inform and proactively manage people decisions (data driven decisions)
• Facilitates innovative business and people practices to enhance business outcomes. Works to get to yes on addressing leadership needs

• STRATEGIC WORKFORCE PLANNING
• Works with managers to identify current and future talent needs. Surfaces issues with resourcing, learning, and retention and recommends a course of action

• LEAD A HIGH PERFORMING TEAM
• Builds a high functioning People Operations group. Continually raises the performance bar of the team by providing challenging, stretch tasks and assignments that align with individuals development needs
• Builds strong relationships and works well with other People Operations leaders

• TALENT MANAGEMENT
• Identifies critical roles, talent and assesses talent and pipeline risks across business client group/s. Recommends and takes actions to strengthen the talent pipeline through retention, acquisition, appropriate talent moves and development actions
• Leads and influences strategic talent discussions to ensure capability requirements for the future are met
• Works with Sr leaders to ensure talent strategies and actions are owned and championed by the business, and are integrated into overall business planning

• LEAD CHANGE
• Builds the capability of leaders to drive and manage sustainable change
• Supports or leads specific change management efforts

• CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT
• Supports leaders in building capable, cohesive and high performing teams
• Continuously helps the division increase talent density

• PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
• Coaches leaders to effectively manage the performance planning and review processes and ensures leaders differentiate individual performance across their groups
• Coaches and develops leaders to effectively manage underperformance using the agreed organizational processes
• Drives the focus of performance management towards continual feedback and coaching throughout the year, as well as the quality of the performance discussions

• POLICIES, PROCESSES AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
• Proposes and provides drafts of new policies and processes when needed by the business

• CULTURE & ENGAGEMENT
• Works with leaders to develop an action plan to address key areas of focus from the employee engagement survey, ensuring alignment with the company action plan
• Influences and coaches Sr leaders to take an active and visible role to demonstrate behaviors that align with and support the desired culture. Works with leaders to identify barriers and deliver actions to build the desired culture

• EMPLOYEE/INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
• Provides oversight and guidance in the management of complex people management issues. Takes a lead role in dealing with complex grievances
• Ensures leaders are aware of the “pulse” of the workforce

• TOTAL REWARDS
• Ensures the division adheres to compensation strategy. Analyses data and is aware of where outliers are. Proposes fixes or changes to strategy when needed

• ORGANIZATION DESIGN
• Works with leaders to structure the organization for success

• Bachelor’s degree in People Operations, Business Administration, or a related field; advanced degree and HR certification preferred
• 10+ years of progressive People Operations experience, with at least 5 years in a strategic business partner leadership role overseeing People Operations
• Proven experience in developing and executing strategies in a fast-growing, technology-driven environment, preferably in manufacturing or tough tech industries
• Strong judgment and decision-making skills, with a track record of successfully navigating complex and high-stakes challenges
• Deep knowledge of HR systems, payroll, benefits administration, and compliance, with a strategic approach to optimizing these functions
• Strong understanding of employment laws and regulations, with the ability to strategically manage compliance and risk
• Excellent leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire and develop a high-performing team
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships at all levels of the organization
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and a data-driven approach to decision-making
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with changing priorities, while maintaining a strategic focus on long-term goals
• Ability to succeed in ambiguity and uncertainty while remaining flexible to change

• Perform activities such as typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time
• Willingness to travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call occasionally
• 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
• #LI-Onsite

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.