About the Network

Protocol Labs is an innovation network of more than 600 teams, projects, and movements, focused on R&D and deploying network protocols. Our teams are purpose-aligned and share a common mission: To drive breakthroughs in computing to push humanity forward. For us, decentralization is more than just a rallying cry; it’s an operational ethos and a belief system baked into the products we develop. Network members have been responsible for creating and building many of the core primitives that power the decentralized web: IPFS, IPLD, Filecoin, libp2p, and more. Even more, our focus goes beyond web3 protocols and spans a wide range of technologies, including neurotech, AI, virtual reality, and more. For more information on the Protocol Labs network and our focus areas, please watch Juan Benet’s talk from PL Summit 2023.

About the Company

As an innovation network rooted in a culture of collaboration, Protocol Labs requires a fresh approach to advancing emerging technologies. Polaris builds the infrastructure that enables Protocol Labs teams, projects, and movements, and members to flourish. We create the programs, tools, and events that connect, strengthen, and build the teams that drive breakthroughs in computing to push humanity forward. We manage network membership and track data to continuously gauge the growth and state of maturity of Protocol Labs across a number of critical pillars, and manage the Protocol Labs brand and strategic marketing initiatives. At the core of everything Polaris does, is the Protocol Labs mission and the desire to progress innovation.

About the Role: Head of Web3 Ecosystems

As Head of Web3 Ecosystems at Polaris, you’ll play a central role in amplifying Protocol Lab’s impact in the Digital Human Rights focus area. You’ll do this by:

• Understanding the field: Assess the state of web3; identify needs and opportunities for projects and companies across various stages; map the web3 ecosystem; and build relationships with key partners, companies, and individuals
• Drive the field forward: Develop, facilitate, and run programs to accelerate project and team progress towards product market fit and long term impact
• Track and measure progress: Monitor field progress and program impact to inform future decisions on which programs to iterate and improve upon, and aid the curation and formation of net new programs to assist companies throughout their process

The programs you run will span a wide range, and may include:

• Developer onboarding and engagement programs (hackathons, grants, hacker houses, etc.)
• Tailored mentorship programs from experienced founders, domain experts, and growth specialists.
• Events to facilitate cross-network coordination for various projects, companies, and individuals across web3 and Protocol Labs
• Fundraising initiatives and programs (e.g., demo day, accelerator partnerships, etc.) to enhance companies’ visibility and access to top investors
• Marketing efforts to promote projects and teams in the network, in tandem with the Polaris Network Engagement team

In doing so, you’ll impact key projects like IPFS, Filecoin, and libp2p, and accelerate the progress of hundreds of companies in the network. Your role will advance initiatives securing digital freedoms, protecting privacy, and ensuring equitable digital access. By fostering innovation and collaboration, you’ll help create resilient systems that uphold human rights in the digital age, shaping secure, open, and decentralized networks.

Job requirements

The ideal candidate will:

• Develop a deep understanding of the web3 and Digital Human Rights field, identifying needs and opportunities to progress the field
• Map the web3 ecosystem and build relationships with companies, teams, and partners
• Develop and run programs to advance the field and companies across various stages, collaborating with others in the Protocol Labs ecosystem and broader web3
• Track web3 progress – within Protocol Labs and beyond – and program impact for company success and maturation, iterating and improving as needed

We expect that the ideal candidate has:

• Deep understanding of web3 and Protocol Labs network projects (such as, IPFS, Filecoin, libp2p, etc.) and companies within the space
• Experience working with open source and web3 developer teams
• A strong generalist background with 10+ years of experience, applying first principles thinking to various situations
• Experience working in fast-paced, ambiguous environments with a proven track record of crafting net new strategies and structure to new fields
• Experience collaborating with executive leadership at major companies or fast-paced startups
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to quickly align a broad group of stakeholders
• Strategic mindset and high degree of agency, with ample experience to showcase the combination of both skill sets used in tandem