The Role
Lead public funding strategy, institutional engagement, and governance for Alice & Bob across Europe (with APAC/MEA expansion). Secure and negotiate public funding, manage compliance and reporting, shape policy/priorities, advise executive leadership, and coordinate cross-functional stakeholders to align public affairs with the company’s technical and commercial roadmap.
Summary Generated by Built In
Alice & Bob is developing the first universal, fault-tolerant quantum computer to solve the world’s hardest problems.
The quantum computer we envision building is based on a new kind of superconducting qubit: the Schrödinger cat qubit 🐈⬛. In comparison to other superconducting platforms, cat qubits have the astonishing ability to implement quantum error correction autonomously!
We're a diverse team of 250+ brilliant minds from over 35 countries united by a single goal: to revolutionise computing with a practical fault-tolerant quantum machine. Are you ready to take on unprecedented challenges and contribute to revolutionising technology? Join us, and let's shape the future of quantum computing together!
In a context of rapid scaling of a sovereign deep-tech company operating in a highly strategic technological domain, the Director of Public Affairs & Quantum Policy is responsible for securing, structuring, and governing public funding and institutional support aligned with Alice & Bob’s long-term technical roadmap and business strategy.
Reporting to the VP Business & Revenue, you will work closely with Executive Management, R&D, Finance, and Legal teams to ensure effective engagement with public authorities, funding bodies, and institutional partners, while providing structured insight on public policy and state-driven initiatives impacting the company.
Main Responsabilities
- Primary focus: Europe
- Secondary focus: APAC and MEA (exploratory and expansion phase)
- Engagement with key quantum ecosystem organizations, including the Quantum Industry Consortium, Quantum Business Network, and other regional and global initiatives.
- Identify, assess, and prioritize relevant public funding programs and state support mechanisms across Europe, APAC, and MEA.
- Structure and position funding opportunities in alignment with Alice & Bob’s technology, industrial, and go-to-market roadmap.
- Influence funding frameworks and calls for proposals upstream to better reflect the company’s strategic technology priorities.
- Coordinate internal stakeholders in the preparation, negotiation, and submission of funding applications. 2. Serve as the Company’s Institutional Interface
- Build, manage, and strengthen relationships with public institutions, government agencies, policymakers, and key institutional stakeholders.
- Represent Alice & Bob in institutional forums related to quantum technologies, HPC, and strategic technologies, including structured ecosystems such as the Quantum Industry Consortium and the Quantum Business Network.
- Actively contribute to shaping public narratives and policy agendas that support Alice & Bob’s positioning and strategic interests.
- Enhance the company’s visibility, credibility, and influence within sovereign and public ecosystems. 3. Oversee Publicly Funded Programs & Governance
- Manage contractualization, compliance, and reporting obligations for publicly funded projects.
- Lead negotiations with public authorities and funding bodies, in close collaboration with the legal team and external counsels, to secure optimal terms and conditions.
- Ensure effective governance with institutional and academic partners.
- Monitor project milestones, contractual obligations, and associated risks. 4. Provide Public Affairs & Institutional Intelligence
- Monitor, analyze, and anticipate public policy developments, regulatory trends, and funding priorities across Europe, while providing forward-looking insights on APAC and MEA.
- Assess and help shape policy directions in alignment with Alice & Bob’s strategic priorities, including FTQC and integrated quantum systems.
- Advise Executive Management and the ComEx on institutional opportunities, risks, and positioning strategies.
- Develop actionable recommendations to support strategic decision-making and long-term public affairs engagement.
- Contribute to strategic ecosystem-building initiatives, including partnerships with public-sector stakeholders.
Scope
Key Responsibilities1. Lead Public Funding Strategy & Execution
SKILLSET
- Public funding mechanisms, grant structuring, and strategic positioning of funding opportunities
- Institutional relations, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement across European ecosystems
- Negotiation of public funding agreements, partnerships, and institutional frameworks
- Policy influence and advocacy, with demonstrated ability to shape regulatory and funding priorities in line with company strategy
- Contractual, legal, and governance frameworks for publicly funded programs
- Cross-functional project coordination in complex, multi-stakeholder environments
- Executive-level briefing, synthesis, and strategic communication Soft skills
- Strong stakeholder management and diplomacy
- Ability to develop, leverage and maintain a robust professional network
- Structured, rigorous, and reliable execution
- Ability to operate in complex institutional environments
- Clear communication with executive audiences
- High sense of responsibility and discretion
Hard skills
DESIRED PROFILE
- Master’s degree or higher (Public Policy, Engineering, Physics, Economics, Political Science, or related fields) LANGUAGES
- English: Fluent (mandatory)
- French: Fluent (mandatory) EXPERIENCE
- Public affairs, institutional relations, or public funding
- Deep-tech (ideally in Quantum), industrial (quantum, semiconductors), or regulated environments
- Interaction with public authorities or funding agencies
EDUCATION
Minimum 10 years of experience in:
Benefits:
- Our success is your success: own it with our BSPCE plan
- Direct IP Compensation: Earn substantial bonuses for driving the core patents that define our quantum architecture.
- Flexible remote policy, up to 40 % a month
- A Parental plan including additional benefits such as crèche support or additional days-off to take care of under 12 years old children
- Subsidized membership with Urban Sports Club
- Mental health support with moka.care
- 25-day vacation policy (as per French law) + RTT
- Half of transportation cost coverage (as per French law), or yearly allowance for the die-hard bicycle users
- Competitive health coverage, with Alan.
- Meal vouchers with Swile, as well as access to a fully equipped and regularly stocked kitchen
- French language courses covered by the company for those interested
Research shows that women might feel hesitant to apply for this job if they don't match 100% of the job requirements listed. This list is a guide, and we'd love to receive your application even if you think you're only a partial match. We are looking to build teams that innovate, not just tick boxes on a job spec.
You will join of one of the most innovative startups in France at an early stage, to be part of a passionate and friendly team on its mission to build the first universal quantum computer!
We love to share and learn from one another, so you will be certain to innovate, develop new ideas, and have the space to grow.
Skills Required
- Minimum 10 years of experience in public affairs, institutional relations, or public funding
- Experience in deep-tech, industrial, or regulated environments (ideally quantum)
- Experience interacting with public authorities or funding agencies
- Master's degree or higher (Public Policy, Engineering, Physics, Economics, Political Science, or related)
- Fluent English
- Fluent French
- Expertise in public funding mechanisms, grant structuring, and strategic positioning of funding opportunities
- Experience negotiating public funding agreements, partnerships, and institutional frameworks
- Knowledge of contractual, legal, and governance frameworks for publicly funded programs
- Proven institutional relations, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement across European ecosystems
- Cross-functional project coordination in complex, multi-stakeholder environments
- Executive-level briefing, synthesis, and strategic communication
- Ability to develop, leverage, and maintain a robust professional network
- Strong stakeholder management, diplomacy, discretion, and ability to operate in complex institutional environments
- Prior experience specifically in quantum-related policy or funding
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The Company
What We Do
Founded in 2020, Alice & Bob secured $30 M funding in Series A. Today, we're recognized as one of the leaders in Quantum Computing. Our cat qubits are error corrected by design, reducing hardware requirements by up to 200 times compared to other platforms enabling fault-tolerant quantum computing at scale. Our headquarters is located in Paris, with offices in Boston, MA. We are 80+ smart and dedicated innovators, coming from 17+ countries and growing by the day. We are committed to one mission: build a useful quantum computer. Check open positions: bit.ly/joinusatAB
