Government & Grants Manager

Position: Government & Grants Incentive Manager
We are looking for a Government & Grants Incentive Manager to join our IonQ Italia / Special Projects Team  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)