Emerging Talent & Events Program Manager

Emerging Talent & Events Program Manager

San Leandro, CA

About Pacific Fusion

Pacific Fusion was founded in 2023 with the mission to power the world with abundant, affordable, clean energy.

We are rapidly designing and building a pulser-driven inertial fusion system to achieve net facility gain (more fusion energy output than stored energy input). In parallel, we are developing the key components required to build affordable fusion systems.

Our plans are ambitious. We have raised over $900M so far from incredible investors, resourcing us to deliver on these plans. We are bringing together the best scientists, engineers, and operators from the fusion community, hard tech industry, and other sectors. We are united by a shared sense of urgency to provide clean power for the world, particularly managing climate change while meeting growing global energy demand. You can read more about us in this letter from our founders.

Why This Role Matters

We're looking for an Emerging Talent & Events Program Manager to own and evolve our early talent pipeline and recruiting events strategy. This role sits within our Talent Acquisition team and is central to how we attract, engage, and convert the next generation of talent. You'll be both a builder and an executor, designing programs from the ground up while keeping the day-to-day running seamlessly. You will be part of a growing team that values curiosity, bold thinking and collaboration.

What You'll Do

• Own end-to-end program management for university programs including design, execution, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with hiring managers and business stakeholders to scope early talent headcount needs and build pipelines aligned to workforce planning.
• Develop and maintain university partnerships, including relationships with career centers, student organizations, and faculty.
• Collaborate with HR and onboarding teams to ensure a best-in-class experience from offer through first year.
• Lead planning and execution of all recruiting events — campus recruiting seasons, info sessions, career fairs, hackathons, diversity hiring events, and virtual programming.
• Build scalable event frameworks that can be replicated across markets and audiences.
• Manage event logistics, vendor relationships, budgets, and post-event reporting.
• Partner with Employer Brand to ensure consistent and compelling storytelling across all events and early talent touchpoints.
• Maintain program timelines, trackers, and recruiting calendars across all early talent initiatives.
• Work closely with the broader TA team to align emerging talent efforts with full-cycle recruiting strategies.
• Support the Talent Acquisition Lead with reporting on program health and pipeline status

What You Bring

• 5+ years of experience in talent acquisition, program management, university relations, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing internship or new grad programs and/or large-scale recruiting events.
• Strong project management skills — you can juggle multiple workstreams, deadlines, and stakeholders without dropping the ball.
• A relationship-first mindset with the ability to build trust with candidates, universities, and internal partners alike.
• You know how to build a report, spot a trend, and tell a story with numbers.
• Experience with ATS platforms (Greenhouse, etc.) and event management tools.
• Flexibility to travel during peak recruiting seasons and occasional evenings/weekends for events.

Bonus Points For

• Experience in a high-growth or tech environment.
• Familiarity with employer brand strategy and candidate experience design.
• Passion for clean energy, deep tech, or mission-driven industries.
• Experience in emerging talent for startup or high-growth environments.
• Experience in emerging talent for aerospace, energy, or advanced manufacturing sectors.

Pay Range:

$133,000 - $178,000 USD

Total Compensation & Benefits for Eligible Employees

• Industry-competitive salary
• Equity plan
• 6% employer 401k matching
• Generous paid time off (including sick leave, vacation, paid family leave)
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Actual base salary offered will be determined by: experience, skills, and work location. This range is for base salary, our total compensation includes equity and benefits. We welcome you to apply even if your expectations are outside our listed range.

Pacific Fusion is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Pacific Fusion is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures and throughout employment. If you need assistance or any accommodation, please let us know.

Pacific Fusion does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies without a fully executed recruitment agreement in place. In the absence of such agreement, Pacific Fusion reserves the right to pursue and hire any candidates without an obligation to pay fees. Agencies are requested not to contact Pacific Fusion hiring managers or employees regarding recruiting services.