Global Media Relations Director

IonQ, Inc.; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 148,000 - 222,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Dental plans

Vision plans

401(k)

Unlimited PTO

Paid holidays

Parental/adoption leave

Legal insurance

Home technology stipend

Job summary

IonQ, Inc. is seeking a dynamic Global Media Relations Director to lead our global media strategy and external narrative.

You will craft premium earned coverage, translate quantum technology into accessible storytelling, and coach executives and scientists for high-stakes interviews. As a senior leader on the Global Marketing and Communications team, you will oversee agencies, manage crisis messaging, and partner with Investor Relations, Legal, and Compliance to protect the brand while driving

Qualifications

• 8+ years in media relations or corporate communications, with 4+ years specifically in a deep-tech, scientific, or highly technical industry.
• Proven portfolio of earned media placements across top-tier financial and tech publications.
• Exceptional ability to translate abstract quantum data into clear business narratives.
• Extensive experience media-training C-suite executives and PhD-level SMEs.
• Demonstrated use of AI-powered tools for drafting, monitoring, and sentiment analysis.

Responsibilities

• Drive Top-Tier Earned Media across global business, financial, broadcast, deep-tech, and scientific outlets.
• Oversee the daily activities and results of IonQ's external agencies.
• Coach executives and SMEs; develop briefing materials and conduct media training.
• Position internal experts for commentary and industry moments with senior leadership.
• Distill complex quantum concepts into clear, engaging narratives for multiple audiences.
• Write and edit press releases, pitch decks, media alerts, bios, FAQs, and messaging playbooks.
• Own and maintain core media messaging and talking points for brand consistency.
• Coordinate with Investor Relations, Legal, Compliance, Government Affairs and People teams.
• Develop crisis playbooks and reactive messaging for regulatory or governance events.
• Monitor media sentiment and industry trends to refine strategies.
• Maintain media distribution lists, editorial calendars, and press kits.

Skills

Media relations

Corporate communications

Executive coaching

Writing mastery

Executive presence

AI tools usage

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications/public relations/journalism/english

Tools

Cision

Muck Rack

Meltwater

Brandwatch

Job description

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).

Wage Transparency:

$148,000 - $222,000 USD

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.

• comprehensive medical plans
• dental plans
• vision plans
• matching 401(k)
• unlimited PTO
• paid holidays
• parental/adoption leave
• legal insurance
• 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!