Fractional Project Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

About BEAM Circular and the Innovation Campus

BEAM Circular builds the infrastructure the circular bioeconomy needs to scale. We work at the intersection of science, industry, policy, and community to advance bio-based solutions that keep biological resources in productive use,turning what was once waste into feedstock, and creating durable economic opportunity in the process.

The California Bioeconomy Innovation Campus is BEAM Circular's flagship project,a first-of-its-kind circular biomanufacturing facility under development in Modesto, California. The Campus will serve as a national center of excellence for:

• Scaling bio-based technologies from pilot to commercial production
• Supporting entrepreneurs and emerging companies in the biomanufacturing sector
• Enabling workforce development and hands-on technical training
• Deepening community and regional partnerships across California's Central Valley

The Campus is moving from planning into active development, construction, and early operations, a pivotal transition that requires experienced, mission-aligned leadership to execute well. We are building a Launch Team equal to that challenge.

Purpose of This Solicitation

BEAM Circular is issuing this open Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to identify and engage fractional or full-time senior consultants to join our Campus Launch Team. We are we are looking for seasoned leaders who will become embedded members of a small, high-functioning team, bringing deep expertise and genuine ownership to the work of standing up a first-of-its-kind facility.

This open solicitation process enables us to identify candidates for immediate consulting opportunities, and maintain a pipeline of exceptional talent as our needs evolve. Submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis; individuals whose qualifications align with emerging needs may be contacted for follow-up at any time.

This solicitation will remain open until all roles are filled. Early submission is encouraged.

Requirements

Areas of expertise sought:

We are actively seeking senior consultants with deep and demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following areas. Individuals may span multiple domains.

• Business Strategy: Financial modeling, capital planning, revenue strategy, organizational financial health, and long-range business planning for complex or capital-intensive projects.
• Accounting & Financial Planning: Operational accounting, grant and contract financial compliance, budgeting, forecasting, and financial controls,particularly in nonprofit or public-private settings.
• Process & Operations Engineering: Process design and optimization, workflow systems, facilities integration, and safety and quality management in manufacturing or R&D environments.
• Data & Systems Architecture: IT infrastructure, data architecture, and AI integration for a new campus, including internal systems, tenant-facing tooling, and the foundations for AI-enabled operations and research.
• Business Development & Partnerships: Strategic partnership development, corporate engagement, ecosystem building, licensing, and revenue diversification in the bioeconomy, cleantech, or innovation sectors.
• Fundraising & Grant Writing: Fund development and grant writing experience, especially for blended capital or public-private projects.

Background and experience in biomanufacturing, the circular bioeconomy, and/or climate and sustainability are strongly preferred across all roles.

Who we are looking for:

The Campus Launch Team operates in a dynamic, fast-moving environment where priorities shift, ambiguity is real, and the work genuinely matters. We're looking for people who've stood up projects before, who can move under ambiguity and bring real judgment to a fast-moving environment. Experienced, self-directed, comfortable with tasks large and small, and used to working across the kind of mix this project requires.

The bioeconomy matters to us, and so do the communities this Campus is meant to serve. We're looking for people who feel that too, and who want a real hand in building something that lasts.

Candidates will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Depth and relevance of expertise in one or more priority areas
• Experience working on complex, multi-stakeholder projects
• Demonstrated commitment to mission-aligned work in sustainability, bioeconomy, or related fields
• Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively as part of a lean team
• Quality and clarity of submitted materials
• Availability and proposed engagement structure

BEAM Circular is committed to building a diverse, inclusive Launch Team that reflects the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from communities historically underrepresented in the bioeconomy and innovation sectors.

Benefits

Engagement Structure

Consulting arrangements may be structured as:

• Fractional (part-time), with a minimum commitment of approximately 10-20 hours per week. Retainer-based and hourly contract structures will be discussed based on expected time commitment.
• Full-time retainer-based contracts for individuals seeking a primary consulting engagement.

All engagements require a minimum initial commitment of six (6) months, with the expectation of renewal or expansion based on project milestones and mutual agreement. Compensation will be negotiated based on experience, scope, and engagement structure. 

We value mission alignment and depth of commitment over transactional engagement. The best candidates will see this as an opportunity to leave a lasting mark on a project that will propel significant climate solutions and community prosperity, while shaping the future of biomanufacturing in the United States and beyond.