Director of Project Management - On Site, Westborough MA

Ascend Elements is a technology company commercializing the patented low-cost process for producing high quality cathode active materials from spent lithium-ion batteries. Founded with technology initially developed at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and with facilities in Massachusetts, Michigan and Georgia, we have built strong relationships throughout the electric vehicle supply chain. We are expanding out project and program management team to execute our plans for rapid growth in 2024 and beyond including our first cathode materials production facility in Kentucky.

The Director of the Program Management Office (PMO) reports to the CFO/COO. The Dir of the PMO is responsible for planning and overseeing major corporate projects that include R&D project teams with the vehicle OEMs, lithium-ion battery manufacturers, and battery active material producers. In addition, the role supports global strategy and business development activities.

Responsibilities:

• Design and implement a corporate stage-gate process for the corporate PMO.
• Oversee projects deliverables of direct reports to ensure outcomes consistent with expectations.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans, project charters with scopes and objectives to track progress and oversee all institutionalization other critical project management tools.
• Push for critical focus on budget, scope, schedule, and critical paths within the PMO and Company.
• Prepare and maintain reporting tools to communicate project performance (e.g., weekly scorecard)
• Perform risk assessments and management to minimize project threats and optimize project opportunities.
• Coordinate internal resources and third parties for the execution of joint-development projects.
• Oversee PMO group of 5+ people with projects over $1bn.
• PMO tools experience – Project Charters, Schedule Budgets
• Define and update project RASIC charts.
• Cross-functional focus on accomplishing project goals on time within budget and scope.
• Seamless handoffs with focus on the critical path through proactive project plan monitoring, risk management, and cross-functional management of project issues with timely escalation to leadership as required.
• Use strong facilitation skills to lead regular project team meetings and apply consistent best practice for meeting agendas, actions, minutes, and other meeting documentation.
• Lead options planning, generate recommendations, alternatives, and tradeoffs to strengthen decision-making and optimize the project strategy.
• Establish and maintain relationships with internal and third parties/vendors/clients.
• Align team activities through tracking of meeting minutes, action items, etc.
• Ensure resource availability and allocation across all functions required.
• Monitor and track project progress.
• Manage change requests and negotiate new schedules and budget impact.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications and experience:

• BA/BS or higher degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, or Chemical, Mechanical, or applicable Engineering field
• Minimum of 10 (Ten) years program management experience in an automotive or chemicals industry.
• Experience with APQP is required.
• 10 years proven working experience in project management; PMP certification preferred.
• 10 years’ experience building and maintaining project plans, budget and resource forecasts, and project management documentation (key assumptions, risks, etc.).
• Solid organizational skills including attention to detail and ability multitask and run multiple projects at the same time.
• Proved meeting leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent communication skills – written, verbal, and presentation skills required.
• Computer proficiency, including spreadsheets and presentations; experience with Microsoft Project is highly desirable.
• Physical and Environmental Requirements:
  • Capable of wearing task specific personal protective equipment including dust mask, respirator, safety shoes, gloves, and safety glasses/face shield
  • Capable of meeting OSHA standards for manual lifting guidelines: < 50lbs
  • While performing the duties of this job, it is required to stand, walk, and use hands to operate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands or arms; climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch when necessary for job activity.
• The employee is committed to and must support the EHS management process to obtain the ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certification as well as participate in system standards and practices in its compliance and commitment to policies, objectives, operational controls, documentation, system guidelines, and others that the organization subscribes to as mandatory.
• Will participate in all EHS aspects, including reporting hazards, incidents, and injury/illness without fear of reprisal.
• Must attend an Environment, Health, and Safety Orientation program appropriate to their work environment.
• The employee must follow 6S step-by-step methodology to maintain orderly workspaces and resources thereby enhancing productivity and safety.
• Location: Westborough MA
• Travel up to 50% may be required.