Chief Financial Officer & Vice President of Internal Operations

Chief Financial Officer & Vice President of Internal OperationsMay 4About Elevate QuantumElevate Quantum (EQ) is America's Quantum Tech Hub—designated by the U.S. Department of Commerce and representing the largest concentration of quantum organizations in the world. EQ operates at the center of a rapidly scaling ecosystem spanning industry, academia, national laboratories, and government across Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. Our mission is to accelerate the commercialization of quantum technology and translate regional scientific leadership into lasting economic impact.EQ is not a traditional nonprofit—it is an execution engine responsible for deploying capital, standing up infrastructure, and delivering measurable outcomes across a diverse portfolio of programs. The organization operates across five core business units:Advanced Packaging FacilityFocused on high-mix, low- to medium-volume production, this facility supports quantum and advanced photonics companies with capabilities such as advanced wirebonding, fiber-to-chip connectorization, flip chip, precision die attach, and metrology. In partnership with Sandia National Laboratories, EQ is helping bridge the gap between research and scalable manufacturing.Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) Fabrication FacilityA rapid-turn, low-volume fabrication facility designed for quantum-relevant materials (including silicon nitride and lithium niobate), enabling significantly faster iteration cycles than traditional foundries and supporting early-stage and scaling companies alike.Commercialization LabsA shared-use environment offering access to advanced equipment, lab space, and the nation's first open-access, open-architecture quantum system. These labs provide critical infrastructure for testing, prototyping, and validating emerging technologies.Workforce DevelopmentSpanning Colorado and New Mexico, EQ's workforce programs combine ecosystem coordination with hands-on training delivered on real equipment. These programs are designed to build the next generation of quantum technicians and support a rapidly growing talent pipeline.Consortium EngagementEQ manages a 150+ member coalition and convenes the broader ecosystem through advisory boards, CEO roundtables, major events, and cross-state collaboration. The organization also partners with state and regional entities to attract companies, align strategy, and drive continued investment into the region.Together, these business units form a vertically integrated platform—one that spans infrastructure, talent, commercialization, and ecosystem activation. EQ's role is to ensure these components operate cohesively to accelerate the path from scientific breakthrough to commercial deployment at scale.The OpportunityEQ is now in its execution phase. With $40.5M in federal funding, $12.6M in state funding, and hundreds of millions more unlocked across public and private investment, the organization is transitioning from formation to scaled delivery.This role will be central to that transition.As CFO & VP of Internal Operations, you will build the financial, operational, and administrative backbone required to responsibly deploy tens of millions of dollars today—and scale toward hundreds of millions in the near future. You will ensure that every dollar of public and private investment is managed with rigor, transparency, and impact.The RoleThe CFO & VP of Internal Operations is a senior executive leader reporting to the CEO and working closely with the Board of Directors. This role combines financial leadership with operational execution.You will be responsible for building and running the systems that make Elevate Quantum work—financially, operationally, and institutionally.This includes:Full ownership of finance, accounting, and budgetingEnd-to-end grant and contract management (federal, state, and private)Compliance, audit, and reporting infrastructureInternal operations including HR, IT, legal coordination, and vendor managementDesigning and implementing the systems required to scale the organizationYou will operate at the intersection of startup execution and public-sector rigor. One moment you are structuring multi-year federal funding flows; the next you are building internal processes, reviewing invoices, or implementing systems that keep the organization on track.This role is not just about stewardship—it is about enabling scale.Key ResponsibilitiesOwn EQ's financial strategy, planning, and forecasting across multiple funding streamsBuild and manage annual and multi-year budgets aligned to strategic prioritiesEnsure responsible deployment of tens of millions in current funding while preparing for significantly larger future capital inflowsDevelop financial models to support decision-making, program design, and capital strategySupport the CEO and Board with clear, data-driven financial reportingLead all aspects of federal, state, and private grant administration, including:Budget tracking and allocationCompliance with EDA and other federal requirementsReporting, reimbursement processes, and audit readinessBuild systems to manage complex, multi-party funding flows across states, institutions, and programsEnsure zero-failure execution on compliance, reporting deadlines, and contractual obligationsOperational Infrastructure & ScaleDesign and implement the internal systems required to scale EQ, including:Financial systems and controlsProcurement and vendor management processesInternal reporting dashboards and performance trackingBuild the operational foundation to onboard and deploy the next tens to hundreds of millions in fundingIdentify gaps in current infrastructure and rapidly implement solutionsInternal Operations LeadershipOversee internal operations including HR, legal coordination, IT, and administrative functionsEstablish scalable policies and processes for hiring, onboarding, and organizational growthEnsure the organization operates efficiently, compliantly, and with minimal frictionCompliance, Audit, & GovernanceBuild and maintain best-in-class financial controls and governance practicesLead audit processes and ensure readiness at all timesEnsure compliance with federal, state, and nonprofit regulatory requirementsPartner with the CEO and Board to maintain transparency and accountabilityStrategic EnablementServe as a thought partner to the CEO on organizational strategy and executionTranslate strategic priorities into executable operational and financial plansEnable program teams to move faster by removing operational and financial bottlenecksThe Ideal CandidateYou have built or scaled financial and operational systems in a high-growth or complex environmentYou have deep experience with grant management, government funding, or regulated financial environmentsYou are equally comfortable operating at the strategic level and diving into execution detailsYou have experience managing audits, compliance, and multi-stakeholder reporting requirementsYou can build systems from scratch and know what "good" looks like at scaleYou bring a strong sense of ownership and accountability—this role is mission-critical to EQ's successYou are highly organized, detail-oriented, and relentless about executionExperience in deep tech, infrastructure, or public-private partnerships is strongly preferredBackgroundElevate Quantum was co-founded by leaders from industry and venture and designated in 2024 as the U.S. Department of Commerce's Quantum Tech Hub. The initial federal award was described as a "down payment" on more than $1B expected to flow through the program over the coming decade.EQ operates across a broad set of initiatives including advanced packaging, photonic integrated circuit fabrication, commercialization labs, workforce development, and consortium engagement. The organization sits at the center of a rapidly scaling ecosystem spanning government, academia, and industry.The challenge ahead is not just vision—it is execution at scale.This role will be the backbone of that execution.Compensation and Location$170-$180kBased in the Greater Denver Area, Colorado or Albuquerque, New MexicoFrequent coordination across both statesReports to the CEOClosingThis is a rare opportunity to build the operational and financial engine behind one of the most important technology initiatives in the United States.If you want to help deploy capital at scale, build systems that matter, and enable the commercialization of a generational technology—we want to hear from you.J-18808-Ljbffr