Manager - Corporate affairs and Strategic Alliance

ABOUT QPIAI

QpiAI designs and builds quantum computing hardware, delivers Quantum Computing as a Service (QCaaS), and develops AI/software platforms for government, academic, and enterprise customers. As the company scales its footprint with national institutions, research bodies, and global partners, its ability to navigate government relationships and build durable strategic alliances is central to its growth.

Position: Manager – Corporate Affairs and Strategic Alliances

Department: Corporate & Government Affairs

Reports To: Head – Corporate & Government Affairs

Location: Bengaluru / Delhi / Mumbai / Kolkata — with domestic and occasional international travel

Level: Manager

ROLE SUMMARY

The Manager – Corporate Affairs and Strategic Alliances owns QpiAI’s institutional and government relationships and its strategic partnership network. This role ensures the company’s policy positioning, alliances, and government-facing pursuits are coordinated, well represented, and translated into tangible business outcomes — from supported sales pursuits to secured grants and co-funded programs.

The role reports to the Head of Corporate & Government Affairs and works in close, dotted-line coordination with the sales organization — particularly QC hardware pursuits, where government and institutional buyers are the primary customer base. It is a highly external-facing role that requires equal comfort in a ministry meeting, a university partnership discussion, and an internal sales strategy session.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

Internal:

• Head – Corporate and Government Affairs (direct reporting line).
• Director – Sales and the Manager – QC Hardware Sales, for coordination on government and institutional pursuits.
• Managers – QCaaS Sales and AI/Software Sales, where alliance-driven leads or academic partnerships intersect with
• their pipelines.
• Legal and compliance, for MOUs, partnership agreements, and government contracting.

External:

• Government bodies: National Quantum Mission, DST, MeitY, state science & technology departments, and public-sector R&D institutions.
• Academic and research institutions: universities, IITs/IISc-level research groups, and national laboratories.
• Strategic and channel partners: cloud/datacentre partners, systems integrators, and technology alliance partners.
• Industry bodies, trade associations, and policy forums relevant to quantum computing and deep-tech.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Government Relations

• Own and grow relationships with government bodies relevant to QpiAI's business, including the National Quantum Mission, DST, MeitY, state departments, and public-sector R&D institutions.

– Map key decision-makers and influencers across relevant ministries and departments.

– Act as QpiAI’s primary point of contact for government stakeholder engagement.

– Anticipate and prepare for government consultations, committee reviews, and policy hearings relevant to QpiAI.

Strategic Alliances

• Identify, structure, and manage strategic alliances with universities, national research labs, cloud/datacentre partners, and systems integrators that expand QpiAI’s reach and credibility.

– Build a pipeline of prospective alliance partners and prioritise based on strategic fit and commercial potential.

– Negotiate partnership terms in coordination with legal and business leadership.

– Own the health of existing alliances — renewals, joint initiatives, and escalation of issues.

Sales Coordination

• Provide dotted-line support to the QC hardware sales team on pursuits involving government, defence, or public-institution buyers.

– Support stakeholder mapping, protocol guidance, and relationship introductions for active pursuits.

– Join key government and institutional sales meetings as needed to lend credibility and continuity.

– Flag emerging government programs or tenders relevant to QpiAI’s product lines.

Policy Monitoring

• Track policy and regulatory developments affecting quantum computing and AI — procurement norms, export controls, data localization, and public funding programs.

– Prepare periodic briefings for leadership summarising relevant developments and implications.

– Maintain a working knowledge of competitors and industry positioning on policy matters.

Funding & Grants

• Lead or support QpiAI's applications for government and institutional grants, missions, and co-funded programs tied to national quantum and AI initiatives.

– Coordinate cross-functional inputs (technical, financial, legal) required for grant submissions.

– Track application status, reporting obligations, and renewal timelines for active grants.

External Representation

• Represent QpiAI at government forums, industry bodies, trade associations, and policy roundtables to build visibility and influence in the quantum and deep-tech ecosystem.

– Coordinate QpiAI’s participation in relevant conferences, panels, and government-industry consultations.

– Support leadership preparation for high-profile government or institutional engagements.

Relationship Tracking & Agreements

• Maintain a structured record of institutional stakeholders, partnership status, and engagement history; report regularly to the Head of Corporate & Government Affairs.
• Work with legal and compliance to draft and manage MOUs, partnership agreements, and government contracts.

PREFERRED CANDIDATE PROFILE

• Alumnus of a Tier 1 institute (IIT/IIM/NIT or equivalent), with a track record that reflects both academic rigor and strong interpersonal/relationship-building ability.
• 8–14 years of progressive experience, with at least 3–5 years in a role directly facing government, defence, or large public-institution stakeholders.
• Established personal network within Indian central/state government departments, national labs, or academic institutions relevant to deep-tech or emerging technology.
• Comfortable operating at a senior, low-supervision level — able to represent QpiAI independently in government and institutional settings.
• Prior exposure to the quantum computing, semiconductor, defence-tech, or broader deep-tech ecosystem is strongly preferred.
• Executive presence and polish suited to representing a deep-tech company in front of ministries, national missions, and institutional leadership.
• Willingness to travel frequently across Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, with occasional international travel for alliance-related engagements.

KEY SKILLS

Functional

• Stakeholder management and relationship building at senior/government levels.
• Policy analysis and the ability to translate regulatory developments into business implications.
• Negotiation and partnership/agreement structuring.

Behavioural

• Cross-functional coordination, particularly with sales and leadership.
• Strong written and verbal communication, including formal government and institutional correspondence.
• Sound judgement and discretion when handling sensitive government or institutional matters.
• Self-directed and comfortable operating with significant autonomy across multiple cities.