Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Quantum Exchange

Department PME Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE)

About the Department

The Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE) is an intellectual hub in the Midwest that connects leading universities, national labs, and industry partners to advance the science and engineering of quantum information, train the future quantum workforce, and drive the quantum economy. The CQE is based at the University of Chicago and anchored by the US Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Northwestern University, and Purdue University.

The community includes more than 50 corporate, international, nonprofit, and regional partners and is one of the largest collaborative teams working on quantum science in the world. The CQE leads national initiatives, including The Bloch Quantum Tech Hub, a US Economic Development Administration (EDA) designation endorsing the Chicago metro area as a central driver of US leadership in quantum technologies.

The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (UChicago PME) is the first school in the nation dedicated to molecular engineering, and integrates science and engineering to address global challenges from the molecular level up. UChicago PME’s rigorous academic and research programs are enhanced through the University of Chicago’s unique partnership with Argonne and Fermi National Laboratories, and the broad excellence of scholarship and education on campus.

In the next phase of growth as a School, PME will continue to expand its team of world‑class faculty researchers and empower students from diverse backgrounds to collaborate with faculty in cutting‑edge facilities. PME aims to bring solutions for urgent societal problems to the forefront, while training the next generation of scientific leaders and entrepreneurs.

The CEO of the Chicago Quantum Exchange develops and executes strategic plans to build a discovery-to-deployment research, innovation and commercialization, and talent ecosystem across the CQE member community, an external network of companies, non‑profits, and others. They will lead a team of skilled professionals and area managers to further CQE’s mission and vision, including the CQE’s Bloch Quantum EDA Tech Hub.

Reporting to the CQE Faculty Director, this individual must be able to thrive in a fast‑moving, decentralized environment. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on leader able to set a vision to drive change internally; they have a can do, positive attitude, and are passionate about selling a strategic vision to key stakeholders including local and national leadership, faculty, and other internal and external partners.

In alignment with the Faculty Director, designs, implements, and manages CQE’s overall growth strategy, furthering its mission, enabling its vision, and fostering novel quantum research, education and workforce development, and innovation and commercialization initiatives throughout the Quantum Prairie of Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Interacts with key stakeholders, internal leadership, external partners, and others to broker deals, continue to enhance CQE’s position and reputation, and grow CQE’s constellation of members and industry and other partnerships.

Builds revenue-generating programming, such as dues‑based memberships or partnerships and educational offerings, with an eye toward organizational sustainability. Understands the quantum marketplace and competitive dynamics and implications, including social and economic trends that impact CQE’s position and goals for growth and revenue. Enables advantageous positioning for CQE in consultation with leadership and key stakeholders to promote prominence in quantum‑related endeavors in the region.

Pursues, through partnerships and direct reports, research collaborations, professional and other educational offerings and programs, and business development for the region. Through a diversified team of skilled professionals, drives awareness that aids in recruiting faculty, students, philanthropic and other sponsors, and industry partners. Establishes…