Connecticut Innovations · 3 weeks ago
QuantumCT - Senior Director, Corporate Engagement
New Haven, CT
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$170K/yr - $200K/yr
10+ years expQuantumCT is a public-private partnership accelerating the adoption of quantum technologies in Connecticut and beyond. They are seeking a Senior Director of Corporate Engagement to lead industry-facing activities and build corporate relationships to enhance participation in the region’s quantum ecosystem.
BiotechnologyEnergyInformation TechnologyMedia and Entertainment
Hiring Manager
Bo Bradstreet
Responsibilities
Build long-term partnerships with industry leaders across Connecticut’s anchor sectors—defense, advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and biotech, financial services and insurance—as well as with companies nationally and internationally that are exploring quantum and quantum-adjacent technologies
Cultivate and manage high-trust relationships with senior executives—Chief Technology Officers, Chief Innovation Officers, research directors, digital transformation leaders, corporate venture teams, and other decision-makers
Work with external corporate partners to understand their strategic priorities and identify areas of alignment within the Connecticut innovation ecosystem and the broader regional ecosystem, and guide companies toward clear and productive engagement pathways (i.e., collaboration convenings, shaping challenge problems for use-inspired research, co-developing pilot projects with faculty, exploring translation opportunities through the Engine’s incubator and venture studio partners, or engaging with QuantumCT’s workforce programs to build talent pipelines)
Work closely with QuantumCT’s events and marketing staff to deliver convenings that are polished, compelling, and highly valuable to participants, and collaborate with the Senior Director of Technology Deployment to ensure that sessions involving technical pathways are accurate and well-scoped
Represent QuantumCT in a wide range of settings, from corporate leadership briefings and industry conferences to national innovation events and federal stakeholder meetings
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in STEM discipline
Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in corporate partnerships, business development, innovation strategy, or a related field, ideally in sectors with emerging technology adoption
Five (5) years of experience partnering with higher education on innovation and tech transfer opportunities
Polished executive presence, excellent communication skills, and the confidence to speak on behalf of a high-profile, publicly funded initiative
Able to explain the promise of quantum and quantum-adjacent technologies in accessible terms and articulate the unique advantages of Connecticut's ecosystem, including its dense concentration of early adopters, world-class research institutions, testbed investments, strong state support, and expanding startup infrastructure
Ability to understand corporate innovation cycles, risk, ROI, and pilot development—even without deep technical expertise
Ability to lead collaboration convenings, workshops, challenge problems, and cross-sector discussions
Knowledge of and experience with the State/Federal government procurement process, including how contracts are awarded and what types of procurement methods are used
Ability to operate in a fast-moving, ambiguous environment
Proactive, creative problem-solver who can balance big-picture strategy with hands-on execution and who sees the value of connecting corporate innovation agendas with academic research excellence, startup dynamism, and regional workforce development
Strategic thinking, assessment, and analytical skills: ability to link industry capabilities with market needs and trends to identify opportunities for innovations and collaborations
Keen ability to build cross functional and interdisciplinary partnerships and connections with a diverse group of stakeholders
Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills with demonstrated ability to express and convey complex ideas
Ability to proactively identify potential challenges and make recommendations to solve them
Keen ability to influence outside authority
Collaborative, team-oriented approach
High degree of self-motivation, energy, persistence, and follow-through
Excellent interpersonal, organizational, presentation, and communication skills
A positive attitude with high standard of personal integrity and professionalism
Preferred
Graduate degree in STEM discipline
Company
Connecticut Innovations
Connecticut Innovations provides strategic capital and operational insight to to companies in high-tech industries
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageLeadership Team
Matthew J. McCooe
CEO
Douglas J. Roth
Managing Director
Recent News
2026-01-19
2026-01-18
Hartford Business Journal
2026-01-17
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