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Xanadu is building quantum computers designed to be useful and accessible globally. This Business Development Lead role bridges Xanadu's photonic quantum hardware and open-source PennyLane software platform with real-world industrial and research applications.
You will drive new commercial business models and partnerships, identifying key opportunities and cultivating high-value relationships across enterprise verticals including finance, pharmaceuticals, automotive, aerospace, and energy. Your responsibilities span:
**Commercial Pipeline & Strategy**: Develop and execute go-to-market strategies to identify, engage, and convert enterprise accounts and research institutions interested in building applications on Xanadu's quantum hardware and PennyLane platform.
**Deal Execution**: Lead end-to-end sales cycles from prospecting and technical validation through structuring, negotiating, and closing complex commercial agreements, pilot projects, and strategic partnerships.
**Cross-Functional Collaboration**: Partner with Quantum Application Scientists, Software Engineers, and Product Managers to translate complex technical concepts into clear ROI propositions for prospective partners.
**Ecosystem Building**: Build strategic alliances with cloud/HPC providers, government agencies, and research consortia to expand Xanadu's commercial ecosystem.
**Market Intelligence**: Track industry trends, competitor positioning, and emerging commercial use cases across deep tech, AI, and high-performance computing to inform product roadmap decisions.
**Company Representation**: Represent Xanadu at major international quantum, AI, and industry conferences to generate high-quality commercial leads.
This is a new position. You will receive a base salary determined by location, experience, and internal benchmarks, plus equity and benefits eligibility.
**Requirements:**
- 3–5 years of progressive experience in business development, commercial partnerships, or enterprise account management within deep tech, AI/ML, cloud computing, or advanced software
- Proven track record of closing B2B commercial agreements, strategic partnerships, or co-development projects
- Strong technical aptitude with ability to quickly grasp high-level concepts in quantum computing, machine learning, and photonic hardware to hold technical discussions with CTOs, VP-level researchers, and lead scientists
- Exceptional communication, negotiation, and presentation skills (written and verbal)
- Ideally based in or willing to relocate to Toronto, ON
**Preferred Qualifications:**
- Background in STEM (Physics, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics) or business degree (MBA/BCom) paired with deep tech experience
- Prior experience in early-stage commercialization for frontier technology, enterprise AI/ML solutions, or high-performance computing (HPC)
- Experience navigating government grants, public-private partnerships, or international research consortia
- Familiarity with quantum computing ecosystem (open-source frameworks like PennyLane/Qiskit, quantum hardware architectures, or quantum cloud access)
