Interim COO, Algorithmiq Oy

We're looking for a fixed-term maternity cover for a 6-12 months starting 1 November, with fractional commitment of approximately 1–2 days per week, depending on business needs and priorities.

02About us

Algorithmiq is a global quantum computing software company headquartered in Milan, Italy, with an international team representing over 20 nationalities. Our multidisciplinary, collaborative approach drives everything we do.

Our mission is to program quantum computers to solve the world’s hardest problems and build the software that will unlock the practical value of quantum computing. We have strategic partnerships with world-leading teams at IBM, Microsoft, Rigetti and Cleveland Clinic, as well as renowned research institutions, to tackle some of the most important challenges faced by our clients.

Our work spans applications from chemistry and materials discovery to optimisation and life sciences, helping bring practical quantum advantage closer to reality. Our recent achievements include being the sole winner of the $2 million Wellcome Leap Q4Bio programme with our partners Cleveland Clinic and IBM, launching commercially available quantum software through IBM’s Qiskit Functions Catalog, and advancing quantum-enabled drug discovery applications with leading pharmaceutical and healthcare partners. We also launched the Quantum Advantage Tracker, a global initiative promoting transparent and rigorous evaluation of quantum advantage and helping shape the future of the quantum computing industry.

We have built a culture we love and are proud of. We’re a hard-working team with a friendly, close-knit and transparent environment where trust underpins everything we do. As we scale, we’re committed to keeping this culture and our values at the heart of every decision we make.

03About the role

We are looking for an experienced Fractional Chief Operating Officer to join Algorithmiq on a fixed-term basis, providing maternity cover for our COO during an important period of growth and organisational development.

The role is expected to require approximately 1–2 days per week, with some flexibility depending on the needs and priorities of the business throughout the engagement.

Working closely with the CEO and leadership team, the Fractional COO will provide senior operational leadership and continuity while helping ensure Algorithmiq is well positioned for its next stage of scale and a significant future fundraise.

This is not intended to be a like-for-like replacement covering every aspect of the existing COO role. Instead, the mandate will focus on the areas where experienced senior operational leadership can have the greatest impact during this period: strategic execution, organisational design, operational effectiveness and Board-level support.

At its heart, the role is about making the machine run faster and more smoothly, ensuring our structures, processes, priorities and ways of working enable the company to execute effectively as it grows.

04What you’ll be doing

• Strategic execution & OKRs
• Oversee the company-wide OKR framework, ensuring strategic priorities are translated into clear objectives, measurable outcomes and accountability.
• Monitor progress against company priorities and work with the leadership team to identify blockers, maintain momentum and drive execution.
• Strengthen the company’s operating cadence, including leadership reviews, planning cycles and cross-functional decision-making.
• Organisational design & readiness for scale
• Work closely with the CEO and leadership team to review and evolve the organisational structure ahead of the company’s next major fundraise and subsequent phase of growth.
• Identify capability gaps, organisational bottlenecks and future leadership or hiring requirements.
• Ensure roles, responsibilities, reporting lines and decision-making structures remain clear and effective as the organisation scales.
• Operational effectiveness & scaling
• Identify opportunities to make the organisation faster, more efficient and better coordinated.
• Help the leadership team prioritise effectively and ensure resources and attention remain focused on the company’s most important objectives.
• Act as a senior problem-solver for operational challenges and special projects that cut across teams or functions.
• Board & strategic support
• Attend Board meetings and contribute to strategic discussions from an operational and organisational perspective.
• Bring an experienced scale-up perspective to discussions around company strategy, organisational development and readiness for future growth.
• Support preparation for the company’s next significant fundraise from an organisational and operational perspective.

05About you

• We are looking for someone who:
• Has significant senior operating experience, ideally as a COO, Operating Partner, Chief of Staff, General Manager or equivalent senior operational leader.
• Has first-hand experience scaling a deeptech, enterprise technology or similarly complex high-growth business.
• Has experience helping a company prepare operationally and organisationally for a significant fundraise and the subsequent phase of scale.
• Has strong experience in organisational design and evolving operating models as companies grow.
• Has a track record of translating strategy into execution through effective OKRs and management cadences.
• Has experience working closely with founders, executive leadership teams and Boards.
• Can move comfortably between strategic thinking and hands-on problem solving.
• Has excellent judgement and the confidence to constructively challenge senior stakeholders while remaining pragmatic and collaborative.
• Is comfortable operating in an environment of ambiguity, changing priorities and rapid growth.
• Is highly execution-oriented and able to quickly identify where their involvement will have the greatest impact.

06Nice to have

• Previous experience in quantum computing, AI or another emerging/deep technology sector.
• Experience working within an R&D-intensive organisation and balancing scientific, technical and commercial priorities.
• Experience scaling an international organisation across multiple jurisdictions.
• Experience supporting companies through major financing rounds and the organisational changes that follow.

07What success looks like

During the maternity cover period, the Fractional COO will provide continuity, senior operational leadership and additional scaling expertise at an important stage in Algorithmiq’s development.

By the end of the engagement, success would mean:

• Company priorities and OKRs are embedded in the company’s culture, remain on track, with clear ownership and accountability.
• The leadership team has strong visibility into execution, priorities, dependencies and blockers.
• The organisational structure has been reviewed and is appropriately designed for the company’s next stage of growth.
• Key operational bottlenecks have been identified and addressed.
• Management processes and operating cadences enable faster and more effective decision-making.
• The company is well prepared organisationally and operationally for its subsequent period of scale.

08Our values

Crazy In Thinking – This is the heart of our mission and drives everything we do. We embrace unconventional thinking and never settle for existing solutions.

Rigorous In Verifying – We stand apart from quantum hype. We do what we say and verify every claim rigorously.

Have Sisu – The Finnish concept of resilience, courage and perseverance in the face of adversity reflects our roots. For us, giving up is never an option.

Be Adaptable – We don’t wait for perfect conditions. We thrive in imperfect environments, leveraging every obstacle as an opportunity to improve.

Show Trustparency – Trust is the foundation of everything we do. We believe in transparency and honesty in all our interactions, both within the team and with external stakeholders.

Make Working With You Fun – Work is not just about results; it’s about enjoying the journey together. We believe that making the work environment fun is essential for maintaining passion, creativity and collaboration.

09What we offer

• The opportunity to play an influential role in a high-growth deeptech company at a pivotal stage of its development.
• Close collaboration with the CEO, leadership team and Board.
• The opportunity to help shape the organisational foundations for Algorithmiq’s next phase of growth.
• Work alongside an international team of leading scientists, technologists and business professionals at the forefront of quantum computing.
• A flexible working environment and culture.

10Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We are proud to be led by a female CEO in a field where female representation remains low. We’re committed to building a fair and inclusive culture where you can bring your authentic self to work. We know diverse teams are stronger, and our goal is to build the best global team — one that represents and includes the diverse talent and communities we belong to and collaborate with.

11How to apply

• If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit:
• Your updated CV/resume.
• A brief note outlining your relevant scaling and operational experience and why you are interested in the role.

Applications should be submitted through our careers portal. We will begin reviewing applications as they are received, and the position will be filled as soon as possible.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. We thank all applicants for their interest in joining Algorithmiq.

Questions?

12About the position: Kirsten Nehr, COO, kirsten@algorithmiq.tech

• About the recruitment process: Minna Günes, Head of People, minna.gunes@algorithmiq.tech