Senior Director, Corporate Affairs and Government Relations Strategy & Operations

About IonQ:

IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum company delivering solutions to solve the world’s most complex problems. IonQ’s newest generation quantum computers, IonQ Tempo and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are the latest in cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners such as Amazon Web Services, AstraZeneca, and NVIDIA achieve 20x performance results. The company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance in 2025.

The company is accelerating its technology roadmap and intends to deliver the world’s most powerful quantum computers with 2 million qubits by 2030 to accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. IonQ’s advancements in quantum networking position the company as a leader in building the quantum internet.

As IonQ continues its rapid growth trajectory and expands engagement with government-funded initiatives, we need a strategic leader to serve as a Senior Director, Corporate Affairs and Government Relations Strategy & Operations who will be partnered with the SVP, Federal and Chief Corporate Affairs (CCA) and Government Relations Officer (GRO) while simultaneously building and operationalizing our Federal, Government Relations and Corporate Affairs Teams. This role requires an exceptional operator who can think strategically, execute flawlessly, and build scalable infrastructure across multiple high-priority domains.

In this role you will serve as the strategic advisor and operational lead for the SVP, Federal and CCA/GRO. You will create customer mapping, operational playbooks, systems, and strategic frameworks for Federal, government relations and corporate affairs.

Responsibilities:

• Shape strategic priorities, messaging and strategic initiatives to maximize organizational impact and ensure alignment

• Anticipate needs, emerging risks, policy shifts and stakeholder dynamics and provide solutions-oriented recommendations

• Represent the SVP, Fed & CCA/GRO and drive special projects as appropriate

• Drive strategic planning processes and cadence, including quarterly business reviews, annual planning and board engagements

• Monitor and manage operating frameworks, performance tracking and governance to ensure accountability and measurable impact

• Oversee prioritization and execution of key initiatives across Federal, Corporate Affairs, Government Relations, Go-to-Market, Business Development, Legal, HR and executive teams to advance shared goals

• Create and institutionalize playbooks, protocols, communications governance and engagement strategies for M&A activities that are scalable

• Orchestrate executive communications and information flow to ensure clarity, consistency and alignment

• Prepare high-impact briefing materials, executive summaries and external engagement materials for senior leadership, elected officials, trade associations and key stakeholders

• Support enterprise issues management and crisis response in coordination with cross-functional teams

• Strengthen talent development, onboarding and culture within the Fed & CCA/GRO

You’d be a good fit with:

• 15+ years of progressive experience in government, public policy, corporate affairs or chief of staff roles, with at least 5 years at the director level or above

• Proven experience advising C-suite executives and influencing enterprise strategy

• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, competing priorities and drive execution across matrixed organizations

• Exceptional strategic thinking with strong operational and execution

• Experience building functions or operational infrastructure from the ground up

• Strong understanding of government contracting requirements and public sector stakeholder management

• Exceptional writing, editing, and executive communication abilities

• Superior judgment, discretion, and ability to handle confidential information

• Ability to operate seamlessly between strategic advising and hands-on execution in a fast-paced, high-growth environment

• Bachelor's degree in political science, business, Journalism, economics or related field

You’d be a great fit with:

• MBA degree

Location: This role can work onsite or hybrid from our College Park, MD. We are open to a fully remote option for the right candidate.
Travel: Up to 10%
Job ID: 1466

The approximate base salary range for this position is $224,652 - $292,953. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, and equity.

Compensation will vary based on individual factors such as education, qualifications, and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location, and calibration against relevant market data and internal team equity. Posted base salary figures are subject to change as new market data becomes available. Our benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401K, unlimited PTO and paid holidays, parental/adoption leave, legal insurance, and a home technology stipend. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided when a candidate receives an offer of employment.

IonQ's HQ is located in College Park, Maryland, just outside of Washington DC. We are actively building out our recently opened manufacturing and production facility in Bothell, WA (near Seattle). Depending on the position, you may be required to be near one of our offices in College Park, Seattle, Toronto, Canada, and Basel, Switzerland. However, IonQ will expand into additional domestic and international geographies, so don’t let this stop you from applying!

At IonQ, we believe in fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all while striving to identify and eliminate barriers. We empower employees to thrive by fostering a culture of autonomy, productivity, and respect. We are dedicated to creating an environment where individuals can feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued.

We are committed to equity and justice. We welcome different voices and viewpoints and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

US Technical Jobs. The position you are applying for will require access to technology that is subject to U.S. export control and government contract restrictions. Employment with IonQ is contingent on either verifying “U.S. Person” (e.g., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum) status for export controls and government contracts work, obtaining any necessary license, and/or confirming the availability of a license exception under U.S. export controls. Please note that in the absence of confirming you are a U.S. Person for export control and government contracts work purposes, IonQ may choose not to apply for a license or decline to use a license exception (if available) for you to access export-controlled technology that may require authorization, and similarly, you may not qualify for government contracts work that requires U.S. Persons, and IonQ may decline to proceed with your application on those bases alone. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.

US Non-Technical Jobs. Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.

If you are interested in being a part of our team and mission, we encourage you to apply!