Head of sales and business development executive

We are looking for a

Head of Sales & Business Development

to join our Ion Q Italia / Special Projects Team at Ion Q. In this role, you will be responsible for driving commercial growth, building strategic partnerships, and developing revenue-generating opportunities across Italy and Europe, contributing to the team’s mission of advancing quantum computing adoption and scaling Ion Q’s presence in the region. You’ll play an important part in shaping commercial strategy, enterprise engagement, and ecosystem partnerships that support our work in building and deploying the world’s most advanced quantum systems.

Responsibilities: In this position, you will work on pipeline development, customer acquisition, strategic partnerships, and revenue growth initiatives, supporting the effective delivery of Ion Q Italia’s commercial and expansion objectives.

You’ll have the opportunity to accelerate market adoption, secure flagship customers, and position Ion Q Italia as a leader in quantum computing and quantum networking solutions, contributing directly to the company’s growth and long-term success.

Key responsibilities include:

Developing and executing Ion Q Italia’s sales and business development strategy Building and managing a strong commercial pipeline across enterprise, government, and research sectors Identifying and closing new revenue opportunities in quantum computing and quantum networking Leading customer engagements from early discussions through contract negotiation and deal closure Establishing strategic partnerships with technology providers, system integrators, research institutions, and industry consortia Working closely with applications, engineering, and solutions teams to align technical capabilities with customer needs Collaborating with marketing to position Ion Q Italia effectively in the Italian and EU markets Representing Ion Q Italia at industry events, conferences, and executive-level meetings Supporting pricing strategy, commercial structuring, and long-term account planning Partnering with the U. S. sales leadership to ensure alignment with global commercial objectives Working closely with the Head of Strategy / Chief of Staff to align commercial growth with operational and hiring plans Monitoring market trends, competitor activity, and emerging opportunities in advanced computing and secure communications Traveling approximately 30% to support business development and customer engagement Requirements

: To be successful, you will need strong experience leading sales and business development in deep-tech, enterprise technology, or advanced R&D-driven industries. We’re looking for someone who can build markets, navigate complex enterprise sales cycles, and operate effectively in a highly technical and evolving field.

You’d be a good fit with:

10+ years of experience in sales, business development, or commercial leadership roles Proven track record of closing complex enterprise or government technology deals Experience in deep-tech, advanced computing, cybersecurity, telecom, aerospace, or defense-related sectors Strong understanding of B2 B sales cycles involving high-value, multi-stakeholder negotiations Experience building and scaling commercial teams or regional operations Excellent negotiation and contract structuring skills Strong communication and executive presence Fluency in Italian and English (written and spoken) Experience introducing emerging technologies into new markets Familiarity with Italian and EU public-sector procurement environments Exposure to quantum computing, high-performance computing, AI/ML, or secure communications Entrepreneurial mindset suited for a high-growth, build-phase environment