Startup Program Manager

At IBM Research, we are the innovation engine of IBM. Exploring what's next in computing and shaping the technologies the world will rely on tomorrow. From advancing AI and hybrid cloud to pioneering practical quantum computing, we anticipate challenges and unlock new opportunities for clients, partners, and society. Working in Research means joining a team that accelerates discovery at the intersection of high-performance computing, AI, quantum, and cloud. You'l collaborate with leading scientists, engineers, and visionaries to push boundaries and turn ideas into reality. With a culture built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration, IBM Research offers the opportunity to grow your career while contributing to breakthroughs that transform industries and change the world.

Within IBM Quantum, the Ecosystem Team is an elite team serving partners as they integrate IBM's quantum computing stack into their software solutions and services to tackle today's business challenges. We keep our partners up to date with the latest technical advances, and make sure they are empowered to use our technology.

In the role of Startup Program Manager, you will be a part of this fast-paced team, responsible for the success of a portfolio of startups achieved through delivery excellence. You will develop strong, lasting relationships with your startups and identify, report, and execute on growth opportunities. You will be given autonomy and flexibility in the performance of your role and are expected to make meaningful contributions to our business and partners’ success.

Responsibilities include:

• Program Management: Execute the go-to-market strategies of the IBM Quantum startup program across our motions build, service & sell.
• Partner Delivery Execution: Execute startup deliverables, including onboarding, enablement, contract renewal operations, and creation of scalable marketing/partner communications collateral to achieve partner milestones and elevate partner satisfaction.
• Partner Relationship Management: Serve as the primary IBM Quantum point of contact for your startups, building strong relationships by understanding their needs, expectations, and navigating organizational complexities, ensuring high partner satisfaction throughout the contract.

Successful attributes

• Ability to effectively navigate a variety of cultures and organizational complexities to build trust and connection for stakeholder and startup relationship management, working with senior executives, researchers, and legal within both IBM and the partner organization.
• Possess exceptional project management skills with the ability to ruthlessly prioritize based on business needs/impact.
• Possess business acumen of marketing strategy, business strategy, and operations.
• A self-led learner with an independent growth mindset, able to absorb new technical and business concepts quickly and thoroughly.
• Skilled at fostering teamwork with both external and internal individuals.
• An exceptional communicator, presenter, and persuader.
• Excitement for the emerging field of quantum computing.

• Bachelors, and or degree in STEM or adjacent field
• 2+ years of experience in business or technology strategy consulting or similar client facing role
• Client relationship development and management with demonstrable skillful management of a range of client interactions
• Project management skills with a commitment to be highly organized, determination to meet deadlines, and delivery excellence
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with clients and internal stakeholders irrespective of culture, location, and professional background

• Masters, and or degree in STEM or adjacent field
• Experience executing change management
• Experience in identifying and pursuing new business opportunities
• Experience managing complex, multi-disciplinary projects across geos
• Experience delivering business strategy proposal(s) and/or execution
• Familiarity with quantum computing

In a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we strive to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.

Being an IBMer means you’ll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you’ll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.

Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on-going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can-do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.

Are you ready to be an IBMer?

IBM’s greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.

Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we’re also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 500 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business.

At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it’s time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.

IBM is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

IBM offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program. Eligible employees may have access to:

- Healthcare benefits including medical & prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and mental health & well being

- Financial programs such as 401(k), cash balance pension plan, the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan, financial counseling, life insurance, short & long- term disability coverage, and opportunities for performance based salary incentive programs

- Generous paid time off including 12 holidays, minimum 56 hours sick time, 120 hours vacation, 12 weeks parental bonding leave in accordance with IBM Policy, and other Paid Care Leave programs. IBM also offers paid family leave benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law

- Training and educational resources on our personalized, AI-driven learning platform where IBMers can grow skills and obtain industry-recognized certifications to achieve their career goals

- Diverse and inclusive employee resource groups, giving & volunteer opportunities, and discounts on retail products, services & experiences

We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.

This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 21 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role.

IBM will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. Therefore, in order to be considered for this position, you must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

The compensation range and benefits for this position are based on a full-time schedule for a full calendar year. The salary will vary depending on your job-related skills, experience and location. Pay increment and frequency of pay will be in accordance with employment classification and applicable laws. For part time roles, your compensation and benefits will be adjusted to reflect your hours. Benefits may be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.