Regional innovation officer, the bloch quantum tech hub, cqe

Department

PME CQE Operations

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.

Job Summary

The Regional Innovation Officer (RIO) leads The Bloch Quantum Tech Hub, including developing and executing strategic, governance, and reporting functions to catalyze a maturation and manufacturing ecosystem in the Midwest that strengthens the nation’s quantum supply chain. The RIO brings quantum technologists, manufacturers, and critical industries together to build large-scale solutions to global supply chain problems. The RIO realizes the Bloch’s EDA Tech Hub Implementation Award to scale manufacturing of quantum technologies, strengthen and onshore the quantum supply chain, support growth with security and insights, and construct a facility for quantum suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Designs, implements, and manages The Bloch's shared vision and strategy and EDA Tech Hub Implementation Award in alignment with the Chicago Quantum Exchange and reporting to its CEO.
• Develops and communicates strategic plans for implementation, sustainability, and growth.
• Leverages knowledge of the quantum marketplace and connected trends to foster Bloch industry collaborations, programs, and future workplace initiative for the regional quantum economy.
• Secures funding from philanthropic, corporate, venture, and federal sources of capital to establish and lead new Bloch initiatives and programs.
• Coordinates clear and effective governance for The Bloch, including quarterly Governance Board meetings, biweekly Cross-project Working Group meetings, Task Forces, and chairing the security Advisory Council and Facilities Council.
• Leads regular Bloch convenings to maximize connections, share information, and develop engagement opportunities, such as the Commercialization Community of Practice and launch of quantum deployment pilots.
• Works with the full CQE team to ensure integration of The Bloch activities into the CQE community and capitalize on broader ecosystem opportunities.
• Manages Bloch operational and technical staff, including the Director, Operations & Strategic Engagement, and Technical Engineer and Bloch consultants focused on technical assistance, security audits, and data insights.
• Manages the Bloch’s portfolio of partners in coordination with CQE.
• Establishes policies and procedures and implements an integrated network and access model of shared-use facilities.
• Serves as EDA’s primary point of contact for The Bloch, including leadership and presentations at EDA convenings.
• Owns responsibility for satisfying EDA reporting requirements.
• Develops Bloch data collection and tracking processes, leveraging the CQE’s Salesforce system to track growth, measure impact, inform course-corrections, and communicate The Bloch impact to a wide variety of audiences, maximizing engagement, fundraising, and overall impact.
• Acts as a lead researcher and planner for a wide array of efforts led by the department/division.
• Establishes and maintains a database of peer and competitor profiles. Helps develop and maintain a database of faculty (international) research topics and international inter-institutional collaborations.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

MBA or advanced degree in the sciences.

Experience:

Work experience in science, technology, business, or a related job discipline is helpful. Working within an academic unit, higher education, and/or complex environment is a plus. Leading a data-driven team towards meeting organizational goals and objectives. Leading a cross-institution, region-wide, and data-driven team towards meeting complex organizational goals and objectives. Background managing large federal awards is a plus.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

Domain expertise in quantum sensing, tech-based economic development, Design for Manufacturing and/or supply chain resilience is a plus. Excellent computer skills evidenced by proficiency in Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat. Project management skills including budget management, KPI tracking, and attention to detail.

Preferred Competencies

• Demonstrated excellent written and verbal presentation skills, coupled with excellent editing, proofreading and interviewing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex ideas into clear, compelling, and thoughtful messaging.
• A proven track record as a strong strategic thinker with a results orientation who approaches any challenge with thoughtfulness, drive, data usage, and appropriate urgency.
• Familiarity with regional and national players in quantum, manufacturing, and related ecosystems is a plus.
• Maintain calm and courteous demeanor and work productively and efficiently despite heavy workload, competing priorities, constant interruptions, complex problems, and tight deadlines.
• Cultivate relationships and work with multiple stakeholders to build successful business and development partnerships.
• High level of collegiality in working with faculty, staff, departmental and university administrators, including enthusiasm, energy, and creativity.
• High cultural awareness and experience working across sectors, including with industry and international partners.
• A collaborative, diplomatic, and flexible 'hands-on' team leader and player who builds strong relationships internally and externally, and works well under pressure, thriving under tight deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including outstanding judgment, discretion, a strong ethical approach to decision-making and a demonstrated ability to resolve conflicts fairly and diplomatically, and maintain confidentiality.
• Work independently, take direction, and achieve consensus. Handle public contacts with courtesy, clarity, and diplomacy.

Working Conditions

Office environment, remote working environment. Occasional extended work hours and some weekend days.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• Professional References Contact Information (3) (preferred)
• Writing or Presentation Sample (preferred)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Administration & Management

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$190,000.00 - $215,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.