Director, Global Events Program

IonQ is developing the world's most powerful full-stack quantum computer based on trapped-ion technology. We are pushing past the limits of classical physics and current supercomputing technology to unlock a new era of computing. Quantum computing has the potential to impact every area of human society for the better. IonQ’s computers will soon redefine industries like medicine, materials science, finance, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cryptography, and more. IonQ is at the forefront of this technological revolution. 

We are seeking an experienced Director of Global Events to lead the strategy and execution of a world-class events program that drives pipeline, accelerates strategic deals, and strengthens executive relationships with customers and partners worldwide.

This leader will design and scale an integrated global events portfolio spanning flagship company events, industry conferences, executive programs, field events, and account-based experiences, all aligned to our company’s sales motions, product launches, and market expansion priorities.

The ideal candidate understands that modern events are not standalone marketing moments, but instead precision GTM instruments that activate target accounts, support complex sales cycles, and create memorable experiences that move deals forward.

This role sits at the center of marketing and revenue teams, partnering closely with Sales, Product Marketing, Field Marketing, and Executive Leadership to ensure events become one of the company’s most powerful revenue engines.

Responsibilities:

• Define and lead the global events strategy, ensuring all events directly support revenue goals, strategic accounts, and key market priorities.
• Design an integrated events portfolio spanning flagship events, industry conferences, executive engagements, partner programs, and ABM experiences.
• Align event investments to pipeline generation, deal acceleration, customer expansion, and strategic market positioning.
• Build a scalable global events framework that can support rapid company growth and expanding international markets.
• Partner with Sales leadership to align events to priority accounts, target industries, and strategic opportunities.
• Design event engagement models that help sales teams create meaningful interactions with decision makers and influencers.
• Lead the development and execution of global flagship events that establish the company as a category leader.
• Partner with product marketing to ensure flagship events serve as major narrative moments for the company’s platform vision and roadmap.
• Define the company’s presence at global industry conferences and strategic market events.
• Continuously evaluate the industry event landscape to ensure the company invests in the highest-ROI events for reaching target buyers.
• Build curated executive programs and VIP experiences that deepen relationships with top customers, partners, and prospects.
• Partner with account teams to design custom events and workshops for strategic accounts.
• Enable executives to effectively engage customers through structured experiences such as: C-suite roundtables, strategic advisory councils, innovation briefings, and private product demonstrations
• Collaborate with ABM and field marketing teams to create account-specific event strategies that engage key buying committees.
• Design bespoke experiences such as: invitation-only dinners, innovation labs, industry-focused workshops, executive retreats
• Establish clear frameworks for measuring event impact; implement data-driven approaches to optimize event strategy and investment allocation.
• Build and lead a high-performing global events team responsible for planning and executing programs across regions.
• Partner with regional marketing leaders to ensure global consistency while enabling local market relevance.
• Manage external agencies, vendors, and production partners to deliver world-class event experiences at scale.
  
  

You’d be a good fit with:

• 10+ years of experience in global events, experiential marketing, or field marketing in a high-tech or enterprise technology environment
• Proven track record of designing events that drive measurable pipeline and revenue impact
• Experience leading large-scale flagship events and strategic industry activations
• Strong understanding of enterprise sales cycles and account-based marketing strategies
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with Sales, Product Marketing, and executive leadership
• Experience managing global teams, agencies, and complex event logistics
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and executive-presence skills
• Demonstrated ability to align diverse stakeholders across product, marketing, and sales organizations.
• Exceptional program management and organizational leadership skills.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-moving environment where strategy and execution evolve rapidly.
• Strategic thinker who remains hands-on in high-growth, high-complexity environments.
• Brings a mindset that is curious, analytical, customer-obsessed, commercially minded…and energized by ambiguity in early or fast-evolving markets.
• Highly organized, self-directed, and capable of balancing long-term strategy with near-term execution demands.

 

Location: Hybrid, preferably based near IonQ’s US Headquarters in Washington DC / Maryland or Seattle, WA
Travel: Expect 40% travel per quarter, depending on seasonal event priorities.
Job ID:  1429

The approximate base salary range for this position is $169,869 - $221,514. The total compensation package includes base, bonus, and equity.

Compensation will vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Posted base salary figures are subject to change as new market data becomes available. Beyond base salary, total compensation includes a variable bonus and equity component and a range of benefit options found on our career site at ionq.co/jobs.  Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided when a candidate receives an offer of employment. Our US benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, matching 401K, unlimited PTO and paid holidays, parental/adoption leave, legal insurance, a home internet stipend, and pet insurance! 

IonQ's HQ is located in College Park, Maryland, just outside of Washington DC. We are actively building out our recently opened manufacturing and production facility in Bothell, WA (near Seattle). Depending on the position, you may be required to be near one of our offices in College Park, Seattle, Toronto, Canada, and Basel, Switzerland. However, IonQ will expand into additional domestic and international geographies, so don’t let this stop you from applying!
 
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!