VP of People Operations

About Focused Energy

Focused Energy is a laser‑driven fusion energy company with offices in Germany and the U.S. Our mission is 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 supports both scientific innovation and commercial readiness.

As a key member of the leadership team, this role will be responsible for shaping and leading People Operations across all current and future markets.

What You’ll Do

• Own and operate the full scope of People Operations — from onboarding to offboarding and everything in between

• Build and scale foundational HR infrastructure to support a growing, global team across existing and future locations

• Lead prioritization and resourcing across People Ops projects, ensuring efforts align with business and financial goals

• Design and implement compliant, streamlined systems for payroll, benefits, time-tracking, HRIS, and employee lifecycle management

• Conduct data-driven analysis and research to inform scalable HR strategies as we expand into new countries

• Serve as a trusted partner to leadership on workforce planning, policy, and organizational operations in a global context

• Lead People Operations across both established teams and new market entries, ensuring alignment with local needs and global strategy

• Build, hire, and develop a high-impact People Operations team with a focus on ownership, growth, and executional excellence

• Partner with leadership, Recruiting, and L&D teams to deliver onboarding and enablement programs

• Launch and run employee engagement initiatives such as surveys, feedback loops, and offsites

• Ensure operational excellence across core People functions while fostering an inclusive, values‑aligned culture

Who You Are

• 10+ years of experience in HR or People Operations, ideally in tech or deep tech environments (experience with highly specialized employee bases such as PhDs preferred)

• Experience supporting or scaling globally distributed organizations; familiarity with German labor law is a plus

• Hands‑on builder with experience implementing tools and driving process improvements

• Strong organizational, budgeting, and prioritization instincts; able to make data‑driven decisions
  

• Skilled in designing and managing engagement programs, onboarding flows, and performance frameworks

• Able to operate across time zones, legal systems, and cultural contexts with ease

• Fluent in English (required); proficiency in German at a business or conversational level (e.g., C1 or strong B2) is strongly preferred

• Comfortable working in a fast‑moving, ambiguous environment and willing to roll up your sleeves

• Strong communication skills and a high level of trust, integrity, and discretion

Why 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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