Executive Director, QCORE (Quantum Technology)

Location: hirify.global; extensive regional, national, and international travel required, with occasional onsite event management. Compliance with U.S. export control laws may require proof of U.S. citizenship. The position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Company

hirify.global’s Office of Student Engagement supports QCORE, a university-wide research institute focused on quantum science, engineering, business, workforce development, and technology innovation.

What you will do

• Lead QCORE’s strategy, governance, sustainability, and development as a nationally recognized quantum research and development center.
• Build long-term relationships with federal agencies, donors, funders, congressional representatives, corporate partners, academic institutions, governments, and testbeds.
• Secure and diversify funding through federal and private grants, cooperative awards, donations, industrial partnerships, social enterprises, and legislative engagement.
• Support faculty and scientists in obtaining external funding and advance quantum technology transfer, workforce development, and industry collaboration.
• Oversee budgeting, accounting, personnel, facilities, security, safety, legal and ethical compliance, grant reporting, and program evaluation.
• Lead and mentor staff while representing QCORE at national and international quantum technology, standards, and supply-chain events.

Requirements

• PhD in Physics, Engineering, or a related field, or a terminal degree with equivalent industry experience.
• Demonstrated strategic leadership experience in a research center, related entity, or business.
• Experience in federal research grant-seeking, fundraising, or business development.
• Strong communication, collaboration, personnel-relations, research, scholarship, and partnership-building skills.
• Must comply with applicable U.S. export control requirements; proof of U.S. citizenship may be required.
• May require the ability to obtain a DoD security clearance and meet NIST 800-53 requirements for access to Controlled Unclassified Information.

Nice to have

• Record of scientific or business innovation.
• Experience with technology transfer.
• Experience supporting a land-grant university’s economic development, outreach, and workforce-training mission.

Culture & Benefits

• Full-time, benefits-eligible professional appointment.
• Collaborative, mission-driven environment connecting research, industry, innovation, and community engagement.
• Opportunity to support student career development and Montana’s quantum ecosystem.
• Extensive travel for regional, national, and international events and partnership meetings.
• Position contingent upon continued grant funding; occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

Hiring process

• Applications will begin screening on September 14, 2026, and will remain open until an adequate applicant pool is established.
• Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, and at least five references.
• Preferred start date is January 11, 2027, or at the conclusion of a successful search.