Manager, Nuclear Fuel Projects

Job Description Summary

The Manager, Nuclear Fuel Projects, is responsible for leading the project management function across the Global Nuclear Fuels (GNF) business to ensure the successful execution of strategic, operational, commercial, and capital initiatives. This role will establish and drive project governance, execution rigor, portfolio visibility, resource prioritization, and standard project management practices to deliver business objectives aligned with safety, quality, delivery, and cost expectations.
The manager will serve as a senior leader in the GNF organization, working with customers, partnering closely with engineering, operations, supply chain, quality, finance, commercial, and regulatory stakeholders to translate strategy into executable plans and ensure disciplined delivery in a highly regulated environment. The role requires strong leadership, operating rigor, financial acumen, and the ability to influence across a complex cross-functional matrix.

Job Description

Essential Responsibilities

• Lead the Nuclear Fuels projects organization, including the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of project management standards, governance, tools, operating rhythms, and performance management processes.
• Own the overall project and program portfolio management process for the Nuclear Fuels business, ensuring alignment with business strategy, customer commitments, regulatory requirements, and operational priorities.
• Drive disciplined project execution across the portfolio with a focus on safety, quality, schedule adherence, cost performance, and risk mitigation.
• Establish robust governance mechanisms including project reviews, stage-gate processes, portfolio prioritization, change management, escalation processes, and executive reporting.
• Partner with functional leaders to ensure appropriate project planning, staffing, resource balancing, and cross-functional execution across engineering, operations, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, finance, and commercial teams.
• Provide leadership in strategic planning, annual operating planning, budget development, forecasting, and long-range planning for the projects organization and associated project portfolio.
• Develop financial plans and forecasts for project investments, resource requirements, and execution needs, ensuring strong linkage between business priorities and capital or operating budgets.
• Monitor project and portfolio performance through defined KPIs, dashboards, and review mechanisms; identify risks, gaps, and corrective actions to improve execution predictability and outcomes.
• Drive a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement across the Fuels Projects Organization and project leadership community.
• Lead, coach, and develop project managers and project team members to build organizational capability, strengthen execution discipline, and support succession planning.
• Ensure project management practices support compliance with applicable quality, safety, and regulatory requirements in a nuclear industry environment.
• Promote strong risk management practices, including proactive identification, mitigation, contingency planning, and escalation of program and portfolio risks.
• Engage directly with customers to provide project leadership, execution visibility, issue resolution, and confidence in delivery performance.
• Represent the business externally through customer engagement and leadership participation at industry events, forums, and professional associations to strengthen business relationships, enhance market presence, and support strategic growth objectives.
• Partner with senior business leadership to translate long-term business objectives into executable project roadmaps and portfolio priorities.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in project management, program management, operations, engineering, manufacturing, or related business leadership roles.
• Minimum of 3 years of people leadership experience and/or leadership of a project management office, program management organization, or complex cross-functional portfolio.

• Ability to travel up to 25% of time based on business needs.
• Ability to support projects in a manufacturing environment, including walking up and down stairs and moving around manufacturing equipment.
• Position will be based in Wilmington, NC. Frequent on-site presence at the Wilmington, NC site is required.
• This role requires access to U..S. export-controlled information. If applicable, final offers will be contingent on ability to obtain authorization for access to U.S. export-controlled information from the U.S. government.
• Proficient at using computers and Microsoft Suite.

• Demonstrated customer leadership experience, including customer relationship development and direct engagement with strategic customers and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience leading large, complex, cross-functional programs in a regulated industrial environment.
• Strong financial acumen, including experience with budgeting, forecasting, resource planning, and business case evaluation.
• Experience in nuclear, energy, fuel manufacturing, aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated industries.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a highly regulated and compliance-driven operating environment.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and lead across matrixed organizations and senior stakeholder groups.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including executive-level presentation capability.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, or advanced degree in Business, Engineering, or related discipline.
• Strong understanding of project controls, portfolio management, risk management, and operational execution disciplines.
• PMP project/program management certification.
• Proven ability to drive standardization, process improvement, and execution rigor in complex environments.
• Experience representing a business at industry conferences, customer forums, and trade associations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage ambiguity and competing priorities.
• Proven leadership capability in developing talent, leading change, and driving a high-performance culture.
• Commitment to safety, quality, compliance, and continuous improvement.

• Act with humility, transparency, and accountability.
• Build strong cross-functional partnerships and foster an inclusive, high-performing team environment.
• Demonstrate strategic thinking while maintaining strong operational discipline and attention to execution.
• Lead through influence, data-driven decision-making, and clear communication.
• Champion a culture grounded in safety, quality, compliance, and customer focus.