Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Department Head Level

Kyoto Fusioneering is a deep-tech startup working toward the commercialization of fusion energy. It has grown to nearly 200 employees globally and is preparing the company-wide operating and administrative infrastructure needed for further growth toward a global organization of approximately 1,000 employees.

Reporting directly to the president, the Chief Administrative Officer oversees corporate planning, IT, quality, occupational health and safety, and other back-office functions. The role develops corporate strategies and policies based on management direction, designs and optimizes company-wide operations, builds operating systems, and promotes efficiency and capability improvements across departments.

The CAO designs the organization and operating structure for medium- and long-term growth, identifies and prepares the required resources including people, systems and external partners, and establishes a scalable operating model for back-office functions. The role also supports the president and management team in shaping policies and important initiatives, participates in key management meetings, leads decision-making, identifies management issues, and plans and executes solutions.

The position advances corporate governance in preparation for an IPO and develops compliance and risk-management frameworks. It also covers corporate talent allocation and hiring strategy, development of executive candidates and managers, and the design and improvement of evaluation and development systems intended to improve organizational performance.

Required qualifications include at least five years of practical experience leading a corporate function such as corporate planning, finance, IT or human resources at an operating company, or serving as a COO or VP of Operations at a startup or venture company. Candidates should have built organizations, systems or processes from zero to one in situations where no established structure existed, preferably across multiple areas and on multiple occasions. Experience leading at least two of corporate planning, business planning, IT strategy and governance development is required, with at least three years in each applicable area. Experience building and operating corporate functions in an organization of 100 to 500 employees is also required.

The role requires the ability to discuss matters with the CEO and management team as an equal, make proposals independently and carry them through. Candidates from management consulting firms are preferably expected to have at least three years of operating-company experience. At least three years of management experience in a global organization, particularly between Japan and the United Kingdom, or experience leading cross-functional projects is required. Experience designing and improving organizations and business processes, as well as managing projects across multiple functions, is also required. Strong alignment with KF’s mission and values is requested.

Preferred experience includes IPO preparation such as J-SOX, internal control development, coordination with lead underwriters and listing examinations; management in a startup or growth company; senior corporate management in a listed company; operating-company experience in deep tech, manufacturing or energy; business reform using IT or digital tools; and practical transformation involving organizational culture as well as strategy, structure and systems.

The position is full-time, although employment as a contract employee may also be possible. The listed annual salary range is JPY 14,000,000 to 17,000,000. Compensation is monthly-salary based, subject to consultation according to experience, and may vary with company performance and individual evaluation. The primary workplace is the Tokyo Distribution Center in Heiwajima, Ota-ku, Tokyo. Work may also be possible at the Tokyo Satellite Office in Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, from June 2026. Remote work may be negotiated for someone living within commuting distance. Domestic or international transfers may be possible. Working hours are 9:00 to 18:00 with a one-hour break, with a flextime system available where applicable. Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays are holidays, with at least 120 annual holidays. Benefits include social insurance, other welfare benefits, salary increases and special paid leave granted upon joining.