About IonQ:
IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum platform and merchant supplier - delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing, and security. IonQ’s newest generation of quantum computers, the IonQ Tempo, is the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners including Amazon Web Services, and AstraZeneca achieve 20x performance results and accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. In 2025, the company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance.
Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, IonQ has operations in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Washington, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Our quantum computing services are available through all major cloud providers, while we also meet the needs of networking and sensing customers across land, sea, air, and space. IonQ is making quantum platforms more accessible and impactful than ever before.
Location: Remote, US
Job ID: 1797
The Role:
IonQ is seeking a dynamic, strategic, and high-energy Global Media Relations Director to lead our global media strategy and external narrative.
As a key leader within the Global Marketing and Communications team, you will drive premium earned media, safeguard our brand reputation, and articulate IonQ’s technology and market leadership. This role demands a seasoned communicator who pairs deep top-tier media relationships with strong financial and technical communications expertise. You must excel at translating complex quantum hardware, software, and scientific breakthroughs into compelling, digestible stories for global business, financial, and tech audiences—all without losing scientific integrity.
Responsibilities:
- Drive Top-Tier Earned Media: Lead proactive pitching across global business, financial, broadcast, deep-tech, and scientific media outlets to secure high-impact coverage.
- Agency Oversight: Work as a member of the Global Marketing & Communications leadership team to oversee the daily activities and results delivery of IonQ’s external agencies.
- Executive & SME Coaching: Serve as the primary communications partner for IonQ’s executive team, top scientists, and engineers. Develop custom briefing materials and conduct intensive media training for spokespeople.
- Thought Leadership: Proactively position internal subject matter experts for commentary, features, and key industry moments, working closely with the Global Head, Strategic Content, Insights & Market Intelligence.
- Technical Translation: Collaborate across GTM, Product, R&D, Applications; Social Media and Strategic Content, Insights & Market Intelligence teams globally to distill complex quantum concepts (computing, networking, sensing, security) into clear, engaging narratives.
- Media Collateral: Write and edit high-quality external materials, including press releases, pitch decks, media alerts, executive bios, FAQs, and messaging playbooks.
- Message Architecture: Own and maintain the central repository for core media messaging and talking points to ensure brand consistency across all external touchpoints.
- Cross-Functional Alignment: Partner with Investor Relations, Legal, Compliance, Government Affairs and People teams to ensure all external communications adhere to regulatory standards and internal alignment.
- Crisis & Issues Management: Assist in developing crisis playbooks, protocol updates, and reactive messaging for regulatory, governance, or M&A-related events.
- Media Monitoring & Analytics: Partner with the Media Monitoring and Social Intelligence Specialist to track brand sentiment, share of voice, and competitor narratives, leveraging data to refine strategies.
- Industry Trendjacking: Actively monitor macro industry trends, tech policy, and market movements to insert IonQ into relevant news cycles.
- Operations: Maintain media distribution lists, editorial calendars, press kits, and collaborative tracking tools to streamline team workflows.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, English, or a relevant scientific/technical field (e.g., Physics, Engineering).
- 8+ years in media relations or corporate communications, with 4+ years specifically in a deep-tech, scientific, or highly technical industry (e.g., Quantum Computing, Semiconductors, Aerospace, AI, or Advanced Engineering).
- Track Record: Proven portfolio of securing impactful earned media placements across top-tier financial (e.g., WSJ, FT, Bloomberg) and tech/trade publications.
- Writing/Storytelling Mastery: Exceptional ability to write with speed, precision, and clarity under tight deadlines, transforming abstract scientific data into clear business narratives.
- Executive Presence: Extensive experience media-training C-suite executives and PhD-level Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).
- Demonstrated ability to leverage technology — including AI-powered tools for drafting, monitoring, and sentiment analysis — to increase team efficiency and sharpen strategic decision-making.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience navigating late-stage, high-growth tech startups or publicly traded deep-tech companies.
- Working knowledge of financial media relations and regulatory compliance (e.g., SEC guidelines/Reg FD).
- Familiarity with media tools and PRM software (e.g., Cision, Muck Rack, Meltwater, Brandwatch).
The total compensation package includes base, bonus, and equity.
If this role has a commission structure, the compensation range below just reflects the base compensation range.
Compensation will vary based on individual factors such as education, qualifications, and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location, and calibration against relevant market data and internal team equity. Posted base salary figures are subject to change as new market data becomes available. Our benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401(k), unlimited PTO and paid holidays, parental/adoption leave, legal insurance, and a home technology stipend. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided when a candidate receives an offer of employment.
At IonQ, we believe in fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all while striving to identify and eliminate barriers. We empower employees to thrive by fostering a culture of autonomy, productivity, and respect. We are dedicated to creating an environment where individuals can feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued.
We are committed to equity and justice. We welcome different voices and viewpoints and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
US Technical Jobs. The position you are applying for will require access to technology that is subject to U.S. export control and government contract restrictions. Employment with IonQ is contingent on either verifying “U.S. Person” (e.g., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum) status for export controls and government contracts work, obtaining any necessary license, and/or confirming the availability of a license exception under U.S. export controls. Please note that in the absence of confirming you are a U.S. Person for export control and government contracts work purposes, IonQ may choose not to apply for a license or decline to use a license exception (if available) for you to access export-controlled technology that may require authorization, and similarly, you may not qualify for government contracts work that requires U.S. Persons, and IonQ may decline to proceed with your application on those bases alone. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.
US Non-Technical Jobs. Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum. Accordingly, we will have some additional questions regarding your immigration status that will be used for export control and compliance purposes, and the answers will be reviewed by compliance personnel to ensure compliance with federal law.
If you are interested in being a part of our team and mission, we encourage you to apply!
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, English, or a relevant scientific or technical field
- 8+ years of experience in media relations or corporate communications
- 4+ years of experience in a deep-tech, scientific, or highly technical industry
- Proven record of securing impactful earned media placements in top-tier financial and technology publications
- Exceptional writing and storytelling skills under tight deadlines
- Extensive experience media-training C-suite executives and PhD-level subject matter experts
- Experience using technology, including AI-powered tools, for drafting, monitoring, and sentiment analysis
- Experience with late-stage, high-growth technology startups or publicly traded deep-tech companies
- Working knowledge of financial media relations and regulatory compliance, including SEC Regulation FD
- Familiarity with Cision, Muck Rack, Meltwater, or Brandwatch
IonQ Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about IonQ and has not been reviewed or approved by IonQ.
-
Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as comprehensive, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, HSA options, and no-cost mental-health support. Company materials also cite strong premium coverage levels for employees and dependents in recent years.
-
Parental & Family Support — Paid maternity, paternity, and bonding leave are presented as fully paid for eligible employees. This breadth of family support is emphasized across company and job materials.
-
Retirement Support — A 401(k) with company match up to 5% is part of the package, with materials noting a relatively short vesting schedule. Retirement support is positioned as a core element of total rewards.
IonQ Insights
What We Do
Quantum computers are a revolutionizing technology — they have the potential to transform business, society, and the planet for the better, and IonQ is at the forefront of this revolution. After over 25 years of academic research, IonQ was founded in 2015 by Chris Monroe and Jungsang Kim with $2 million in seed funding from New Enterprise Associates, a license to core technology from the University of Maryland and Duke University, and the goal of taking trapped ion quantum computing out of the lab and into the market. In the following three years, we raised an additional $20 million from GV, Amazon Web Services, and NEA, and built two of the world’s most accurate quantum computers. In 2019, we raised another $55 million in a round led by Samsung and Mubadala, and announced partnerships with Microsoft and Amazon Web Services to make our quantum computers available via the cloud. In 2020 and 2021, we built additional generations of high performance quantum hardware, added Google Cloud Marketplace to our cloud partner roster and announced a series of collaborations and business partnerships with leading academic and commercial institutions. On October 1st, 2021, IonQ began trading as IONQ on the New York Stock Exchange, making it the world's first public pure-play quantum computing company. We remain hard at work realizing the world-changing potential of quantum computing.
Why Work With Us
We’re growing a passionate, diverse team of collaborative, creative people. We believe in pursuing innovative, challenging work with integrity, alongside team members we can learn from and grow with.
Gallery
