Group Head of Quantum Technologies

Ready to turn quantum research into real outcomes for a global bank?

Why HSBC

HSBC is one of the largest banking and financial services organisations in the world. Guided by our purpose of opening up a world of opportunity, our ambition is to become the world’s most trusted bank globally, putting customers at the heart of everything we do.

The Role

The Group Quantum and Advanced Computing (QAC) team sets HSBC’s enterprise strategy for quantum, quantum-inspired and advanced computing and converts applied R&D into controlled deployment. As Director, Quantum & Advanced Computing you’ll set the Group-wide vision and roadmap across quantum computing and adjacent accelerated compute approaches including HPC, GPUs and hybrid quantum-classical methods. You’ll build a repeatable innovation-to-industrialisation pipeline so prioritised use cases move from sandbox experimentation into connected and on-prem environments with defined run ownership. The portfolio spans areas such as Financial Crime, Markets and Trading and wealth optimisation with emerging work in AI-driven cyber anomaly detection. You’ll operate in a highly regulated environment with senior stakeholders across the business, risk and regulators and you’ll translate technical progress into clear business outcomes and risk posture. Success means a governed portfolio with explicit stage-gates and stop decisions, benefits realised with business owners and selected solutions transitioned into robust production services with control-by-design.

What you'll be doing

• Set the Group-wide QAC strategy and roadmap across quantum and advanced computing aligned to HSBC priorities
• Build and govern a prioritised use-case portfolio across value, feasibility and risk with explicit stage-gates and stop decisions
• Oversee delivery from PoC to pilot and production including progression from sandbox into connected and on-prem environments
• Define technical and architectural direction across quantum, quantum-inspired and hybrid quantum-classical approaches including reusable standards and patterns
• Embed control-by-design across security, data, model risk and third-party risk with audit-ready documentation and governance adherence
• Partner with business and technology teams to integrate algorithms into robust software and applications with an agreed support model
• Manage partnerships with vendors, academia and cloud providers and shape commercial arrangements that maintain optionality and resilience
• Develop internal capability by managing the global QAC team including hiring, coaching, training and communities of practice

What we're looking for

• Bring research excellence in quantum or quantum-inspired algorithms and apply it to optimisation, machine learning and financial services use cases
• Bring proven experience across advanced or accelerated compute approaches such as HPC, GPUs and hybrid architectures
• Deliver applied R&D that moves beyond experimentation into controlled deployment with measurable commercial benefit or risk reduction
• Operate effectively within regulated environments with disciplined governance and oversight for delivery and risk
• Embed security, data, model risk and third-party risk considerations from inception through to production-ready delivery
• Produce clear technical writing and executive-ready narratives that translate complex work into decision-ready outcomes
• Manage global academic research programmes and ecosystem partnerships aligned to business priorities
• Influence senior stakeholders across business, technology and risk and create alignment across multiple teams and geographies

Turning frontier compute into outcomes

This is a rare opportunity to shape how a global bank adopts quantum and advanced computing in areas that matter - from financial crime to markets. You’ll set the roadmap, govern the portfolio and transition selected initiatives into production with clear ownership and controls. The role combines deep technical direction with senior stakeholder engagement across business, risk and external partners. If you want to build repeatable pathways from R&D to measurable impact at HSBC scale we’d like to hear from you.

Being open to different points of view is important for our business and the communities we serve. At HSBC, we’re dedicated to creating diverse and inclusive workplaces - no matter their gender, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic background or age. We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring careers at HSBC are inclusive and accessible for everyone to be at their best. We take pride in being a Disability Confident Leader and will offer an interview to people with disabilities, long term conditions or neurodivergent candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the role.

If you have a need that requires accommodations or changes during the recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Helpdesk via [email protected] .