Head of Public Policy and Government Affairs

Summary:

The Head of Public Policy and Government Affairs will be Atlantic Quantum’s champion before all government entities at all levels, with a focus on the federal government, and will lead efforts on all relevant matters, including but not limited to securing more non-dilutive public funding, improving quantum literacy in the federal and defense communities, and aligning government efforts with AQ’s technology roadmap. Candidates must have a proven and current track record of liaising with government agencies and legislative offices. The ideal candidate will possess an appreciation for how the public sector reacts to emerging technologies, and accordingly will be eager to communicate the public policy challenges and opportunities posed by quantum computing’s impacts across all industry and national security applications. This position reports to the Co-Founder & COO.

Key Responsibilities:

• Corporate Strategy Support: Collaborate with the leadership team to ensure alignment between policy goals, technology roadmap, and business strategy. Provide strategic guidance to senior leadership on public policy risks and opportunities.

• Policy Monitoring: Monitor and analyze new funding opportunities, legislative and regulatory developments that impact quantum computing and related technologies; also monitor and analyze any key developments in the supply chain.

• Policy Advocacy: Lead the development and execution of the company's public policy strategy at all levels of government. Advocate for policies that promote the advancement of quantum computing, research funding, and innovation-friendly regulations. Drive the creation and tailoring of new funding opportunities and see them to fruition.

• Government Relations: Establish and maintain relationships with government officials, regulatory bodies, and industry groups to promote the company’s interests. Engage with all relevant governmental agencies.

• Public Engagement: Serve as the key point of contact for external stakeholders, including policymakers, think tanks, industry groups, academic institutions, and key business partners such as defense primes. Build coalitions and partnerships to influence policy discussions and drive the adoption of quantum technologies.

• Strategic Communications: Craft and deliver messaging around the social, economic, and security benefits of quantum computing to various audiences, including policymakers, media, and the public. Coordinate public affairs campaigns to raise awareness and support for the technology.

• Event Participation: Represent the company at industry conferences, government hearings, and public policy forums.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in government or private sector public policy/government affairs; ideal candidates will have both public and private sector experience. The candidate should have a strong track record of working with government officials and private industry stakeholders in concert to drive policy outcomes.

• This role favors direct experience in legislative, intergovernmental, or public engagement liaising with the federal executive branch, particularly with a technology-focused office. This includes coordinating with other relevant executive branch offices, engaging with Congressional offices to support technical assistance needs, and/or conveying the work of the office to a range of stakeholders. Experience working for a Congressional committee of jurisdiction or a member office for said committee members will also be considered.

  • Examples of preferred past experience include: Department of Defense, Department of Commerce, Department of Energy, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), National Security Council (NSC), or other components of the Executive Office of the President.

• Experience that intersects with the technology sector is preferred, and the ideal candidate will have a working knowledge of advanced computing technologies and strong understanding of its implications. Knowledge of how federal agencies shape policy, fund research, and interact with the private sector on initiatives related to technology, cybersecurity, or national security is preferred.

Skills:

• Comfortable self-reliance: critical for a startup environment where this workstream will be largely covered just by the candidate.

• Excellent communication and advocacy skills, with an ability to translate complex technical concepts into accessible and compelling policy narratives.

• Strong network of contacts in government, regulatory bodies, and