VP of People Operations

About Focused EnergyFocused Energy is a laser-driven fusion energy company with teams in both Germany and the U.S. We are on a mission to bring clean, abundant energy to the world by advancing inertial confinement fusion technology. As we continue to grow our global team and capabilities, we are building the foundations of a scalable, high-integrity organization that can support scientific innovation and commercial readiness.What You’ll DoOwn and operate the full scope of People Operations — from onboarding to offboarding and everything in betweenBuild and scale foundational HR infrastructure to support a growing, international teamLead prioritization and resourcing across People Ops projects, ensuring efforts are aligned with business and financial goalsDesign and implement compliant, streamlined systems for payroll, benefits, time-tracking, HRIS, and employee lifecycle managementBuild and own the People Tech stack, serving as primary partner to IT and functional owner of HR toolsDrive automation and AI adoption across operational workflowsConduct data-driven analysis and research to inform scalable HR strategies as we expand globallyServe as a trusted partner to leadership on workforce planning, policy, and org operationsBuild, hire, and develop a high-impact People Operations team with a focus on ownership, growth, and executional excellencePartner with leadership, Recruiting, and learning stakeholders to design and deliver onboarding and enablement programsRun employee engagement programs such as surveys, feedback loops, and team offsitesDrive process improvement and operational excellence across core people functionsWho You Are10+ years of experience in HR or People Operations, with a track record of leading operational teams and scaling infrastructureDeep experience owning people systems and programs across international marketsPassionate about the intersection of HR and technology; adept in building and evolving HR tech stacksHands-on leader with experience implementing and integrating toolsStrong organizational, budgeting, and prioritization instincts; data- and research-driven decision-makerAble to prioritize and scope competing initiatives, with strong organizational and budgeting instinctsExperienced in designing and running employee engagement programs (e.g., surveys, feedback loops, offsites)Comfortable operating in a globally distributed environment, across multiple time zones and legal frameworksDriven by data and research; applies insights to inform decisions and build scalable solutionsAble to build trust with cross-functional partners while managing sensitive or confidential issues with discretionThrive in a high-growth, evolving environment with many unknownsBring a hands-on, builder mentality — willing to roll up your sleeves to get things doneWhy Work With Us?This is a rare opportunity to help build a global clean energy company from the ground up. You'll shape the systems, processes, and culture that define how we work and scale — directly enabling the people behind a transformative technology.Focused Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Focused Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.Compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Certain roles may be eligible for incentive compensation, equity, benefits.

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