Job Title: Vice President (VP) of Operations / Chief Operating Officer (COO)Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)Location: Newark, NJSalary range:VP: $166,000 - $191,000;COO: $186,500 - $214,500Competitive company-sponsored benefits, Unlimited PTORole DescriptionStill Bright is seeking a seasoned, execution-focused executive to lead our technical and operational functions as either VP of Operations or Chief Operating Officer (COO), commensurate with experience. This is the pivotal leadership role responsible for scaling our breakthrough technology from its current pilot stage to a commercially viable, globally-deployed business.This position requires a leader with deep knowledge of the operations of a growing startup, having experienced and overcome all of the growing pains associated with rapid growth. Ideally, this experience overlaps with the mining, chemical, or heavy-industrial landscape. The position requires the ability to build and execute a multi-year operational plan from the ground up.• As the VP of Operations, you will be the primary creator of the departmental plan, taking a company-wide lens to build the team, processes, and partnerships necessary to de-risk and deploy our technology.• As the Chief Operating Officer (COO), you will take on a broader, C-suite scope, thinking beyond current needs to realize the company's full long-term vision. You will be responsible for "seeing around corners," developing comprehensive mitigation plans, and acting as the final decision-maker for the entire operational domain.In either capacity, you will be accountable for our technical and project execution, the efficiency of that execution, management of our most critical external relationships, and building the world-class team that will change how copper is produced.What You’ll DoStrategic Operational Roadmap & Execution:• VP Level: Act as the main creator of the departmental plan, working alongside CEO to translate company strategy into actionable short-term (pilot optimization, partner testing) and long-term (first demo and commercial deployments) operational goals, timelines, and budgets.• COO Level: In addition to operational planning, think beyond the current plan to realize the full company vision. Anticipate future technical, market, and execution-related challenges and set mitigation plans in place.Accountability & Project Leadership:• Take accountability for all departmental objectives, budgets, and timelines, "taking the heat" and ensuring your teams deliver.• Serve as the executive project leader within a RASCI model for some major initiatives, from advanced piloting and demonstration to our first commercial builds.• COO Level: Hold ultimate accountability for the entire department, with a key responsibility to track all objectives, accurately forecast delays, and have mitigation plans in place if any problem manifests.Team & Organizational Scaling:• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performance, multi-disciplinary team, including future Directors, engineers, and project managers.• Design and implement the equitable advancement and compensation systems, operational systems, safety protocols, and company-wide processes required for a high-growth, capital-intensive mining technology company.Commercial & External Leadership:• Craft new business directions and unlock new commercial strategies in partnership with the C-suite.• Represent Still Bright externally in high-pressure encounters with mining partners, strategic investors, engineering firms, and regulators.• COO Level: Serve as a key public "face" of the company (both good and bad) for all operational matters.Supply Chain, Vendor & Partner Management:• Source, select, and manage all critical consultant and vendor relationships, including engineering partners, fabrication shops, and technical advisors.• Act as the primary decision-maker for key departmental objectives and, at the COO level, the final approver for all significant department decisions.What We Hope You’ll BringWe will align the final title (VP or COO) and compensation to your experience, based on the following two tracks:Core Competencies (Required for Both Levels):• A deep understanding of what it takes to succeed as a mining (or related) hardware technology startup.• Proven track record of scaling complex industrial processes from pilot/demonstration to commercial reality.• Experience in relevant industries: hydrometallurgy, mineral processing, chemical engineering, manufacturing, or heavy industrial project management.• Demonstrable experience managing large, multi-million dollar capital projects and leading EPC relationships.• Ability to translate experience into operational frameworks designed for Still Bright’s potential operational challenges considering Still Bright’s values• An entrepreneurial mindset, willing to engage in direct execution to build the initial plan while managing and delegating as the team grows.• Exceptional leadership and communication skills, able to manage the Operations team while gathering and collating the needed information from relevant parties both internally and externally to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.• Self-driven as the position reports directly to the CEO with minimal management.Experience Track 1: VP of Operations• 1-2 years of experience at a VP level in operations, projects, or engineering.• Or 3-4 years of experience at a Director level (or equivalent senior leadership).Experience Track 2: Chief Operating Officer (COO)• 1-2 years of experience at a C-suite (COO) or equivalent executive level.• Or 3-4 years of experience at a VP level.This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of the duties and responsibilities of the position.