We are looking for a Government & Grants Incentive Manager to join our IonQ Italia / Special Projects Team at IonQ. In this role you will be responsible for leading IonQ Italia's engagement with Italian and EU public funding programs, government incentives, and strategic public-sector initiatives, contributing to the team's mission of advancing quantum research, accelerating commercialization, and scaling IonQ's presence across Italy and Europe.
You'll play an important part in shaping funding strategy, public-sector engagement frameworks, and incentive capture processes that support our work in building the world's most advanced quantum systems.
Responsibilities:
In this position, you will work on identifying, securing, and managing government grants, public incentives, and strategic funding opportunities, supporting the effective delivery of IonQ Italia's research, commercial, and expansion objectives. You'll have the opportunity to maximize non dilutive funding, strengthen institutional partnerships, and accelerate strategic initiatives, contributing directly to the financial sustainability and long-term growth of IonQ Italia.
Key responsibilities include:
- Identifying and evaluating Italian and EU government funding programs, grants, and incentive opportunities aligned with IonQ Italia's strategy
- Leading end-to-end grant application processes, including proposal drafting, documentation coordination, and submission management
- Coordinating with finance, legal, strategy, and technical teams to gather required materials and ensure compliance
- Managing relationships with Italian ministries, regional authorities, EU bodies, and funding agencies
- Supporting participation in national and EU innovation programs (e.g., research, digitalization, deep-tech, dual-use initiatives)
- Tracking grant milestones, reporting requirements, and compliance obligations post-award
- Ensuring proper documentation, audit readiness, and alignment with Italian and EU regulatory standards
- Partnering closely with the U.S. finance and legal teams to ensure consistency in reporting and regulatory adherence
- Supporting strategic public-sector partnerships and consortium participation
- Working closely with the Head of Strategy / Chief of Staff to align funding strategy with operational and hiring plans
- Monitoring regulatory developments related to public funding and incentive frameworks
- Traveling as needed to support stakeholder meetings and government engagement
Requirements:
To be successful, you will need strong experience navigating Italian and EU public funding ecosystems, with a proven ability to secure and manage grants in technology-driven or research-intensive environments. We're looking for someone who can operate independently, manage complex application processes, and collaborate effectively across technical and non technical teams.
You'd be a good fit with:
- 7+ years of experience in government funding, grants management, or public incentive programs
- Strong knowledge of Italian and EU funding frameworks, including national innovation programs and EU initiatives
- Experience preparing and managing complex grant applications in R&D; or deep-tech environments
- Familiarity with compliance, reporting, and audit requirements for public funding
- Experience working with ministries, public authorities, and funding agencies
- Strong project management and organizational skills
- Familiarity with Italian PNRR programs and EU Horizon initiatives
- Experience participating in public-private partnerships or research consortia
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Fluency in Italian and English (written and spoken)