Program Manager, Quantum CT Use Inspired Research Strategy

Quantumct Program Manager

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Reporting to the Yale University Executive Director, Corporate Strategy & Engagement, the Program QuantumCT is a newly formed regional innovation engine which was recently awarded up to $160M in NSF Engine funding and $121M in state funding to build a quantum ecosystem in Connecticut. This engine is comprised of several stakeholders throughout the region including UCONN, Yale University, Southern Connecticut State University, Connecticut Innovations, state government and several corporations, all of whom are working together to ensure the potential of quantum technologies are realized. In addition, a new non-profit, QuantumCT (QCT), has been established to coordinate ecosystem-wide activities across the engine.

Yale University and UCONN are supporting the creation of the Quantum Alliance for Innovation within Quantum CT. The Alliance will be a fee-based membership organization, serving as the front door access for industry into the Quantum CT ecosystem. A critical element of the Alliance will be the Use Inspired Research (UIR) Pilot Project Program which provides grants to faculty, at Yale, UCONN, and other universities within CT and connects faculty with aligned industry partners to collaborate. The UIR Pilot Program is designed to bring teams together, provide seed funding to develop and test new project ideas, and ultimately formulate larger more formal sponsored research proposals. Funding for both the Alliance for Innovation and UIR Pilot Program is provided by both the NSF Engine Grant and by industry paid membership fees.

The Program Manager, working closely with the Yale University Executive Director and Senior Director of Corporate Strategy for Quantum CT, will support the development of programmatic elements and execution of the Quantum Alliance for Innovation and UIR Pilot Program for Quantum CT. The position contributes to the development of systems and processes that will support broader corporate strategies and alliances in support of Quantum CT's industry strategy. This person works closely with colleagues in both Yale and UCONN, across technology transfer, corporate strategy, Office of Development, the Office of the Provost, and other administrative offices as needed to ensure proper alignment between Yale and UCONN research priorities and broader strategic corporate engagement strategies and Quantum CT's ecosystem development goals.

Principal Responsibilities

Collaboration & Communication

• Serve as a liaison between various stakeholders including but not limited to, corporate partners and QCT staff and staff and faculty at Yale and UCONN.
• Develop strong relationships with the Yale CSEO team, Yale Ventures, Yale Provost's Office Program Manager, and UCONN Innovation and Corporate & Foundations Relations teams and QuantumCT 501C3 Corporate Engagement and External Affairs teams.
• Prepare regular updates for Quantum CT Engine leadership, Quantum CT 501C3 leadership, and collaborators at Yale and UCONN on QCT corporate partners and prospect discussions.
• Maintain regular communications with all corporate partners and Quantum CT Engine leadership, Quantum CT 501C3 and Yale and UCONN; determine cadence of reports and other communications, delivering reports and communications in accordance with the defined schedules.

Business Development

• Work with QuantumCT Corporate Engagement to identify, triage, and prioritize potential corporate partners for the Engine.
• Work to identify, prioritize and understand areas of mutual alignment between corporate partners and Quantum CT.
• Be knowledgeable of the various industry Quantum research priorities.
• Deliver best in class stewardship for QCT corporate partners.

Operations

• In coordination with QuantumCT Corporate Engagement and External Affairs, develop and execute activities/interactions between industry members, and staff and faculty at Yale, UCONN and other colleges and universities in CT as needed.
• Provide project management for corporate engagement in the Quantum Alliance for Innovation and Use Inspired Research Pilot Programs.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Experience in strategic relationship development. Experience with fundraising donor relations and/or corporate relations concepts, principles, techniques, procedures, and practices and developing new corporate engagement strategies.

2. Demonstrated project management skills and experience. Creative skills in program design and development. Effective collaborative skills to build trust. Familiarity with project management systems and CRMs.

3. Effective listening skills to analyze issues and present information and recommendations concisely. Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills to deal with a wide audience of decision-makers, faculty, staff, students, the general public, private sector administrators, etc.

4. Advanced oral and written communication skills. Strong problem-solving skills to make independent judgments and decisions where appropriate. Skills to work independently with minimal direction as well as work as a valuable, contributing member of a team.

5. Excellent organizational, attention to detail, time management and analytical skills. Skills to exercise discretion, maintain confidentiality and work with confidential information, including but not limited to donor financial information or anonymity.

Preferred Education and Experience

1. Experience working in industry technical management, higher education or research environment.

2. Experience operationalizing and complying with federal grants.

3. Grant or proposal writing experience; thorough written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.

4. Experience or interest in quantum technologies.