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. Our key focus areas include digital human rights, upgrading economies and governance systems, safe AI, and neurotech. 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 Team

The Network Product team within Polaris is pioneering a social graph for the Protocol Labs network, enabling members to discover and connect with each other to enhance collaboration across mission-critical technologies. This social graph, along with other key capabilities, is housed within LabOS, a product suite designed to be the foundational stack for social interaction, knowledge sharing, and coordination across the network. Today, LabOS includes the Protocol Labs Directory, events portal, forum, and more.

About the Role

We are seeking a visionary Product Lead to lead our Network Product vertical. This person will work directly with the Polaris CEO and Protocol Labs Founder to define the future vision of the network’s software product, then craft the near and medium term roadmaps necessary to meet such ambitious goals.

In this role, you will build products and systems that drive innovation and collaboration within the Protocol Labs network, and in so doing help accelerate progress in Digital Human Rights, Neurotech, and many other projects and technologies in the network.

Key Responsibilities

• Vision & Strategy
  • Develop and communicate a compelling product vision aligned with Polaris and Protocol Lab’s mission
  • Define and own the product roadmap, ensuring it stays on track with the network’s evolving needs
  • Identify and explore new product opportunities to help network teams collaborate and achieve greater impact
• User-Centric Product Development
  • Develop a thorough and in-depth understanding of the network needs, then incorporate into the product roadmap
  • Collaborate closely with the product lead counterpart, ensuring cohesive product development and execution
  • Partner with the network engagement and programs teams to drive product adoption and feedback
• Product Leadership
  • Ensure alignment across all departments on product priorities and timelines
  • Lead, mentor, and grow the product team, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration
  • Establish clear criteria for product iteration based on user feedback, network demand, and data analytics

Must Have Skills

• Extensive experience in product management and/or early founder experience, with a strong focus on open-source software and technology
• Proven experience driving product market fit in an open source or consumer product environment
• Proven leadership capabilities in guiding and inspiring product teams
• Deep technical proficiency and understanding of software product development processes
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute visionary product strategies
• Excellent collaboration skills, with a track record of working effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Strong communication skills, capable of articulating complex ideas and engaging with diverse stakeholders
• Genuine passion for advancing digital human rights; upgrading economies and governance systems; and developing safe breakthrough technologies (such as AI and Neurotech)

Should Have Skills

• Experience in scaling product initiatives within innovation networks or similar environments such as incubators or accelerators
• Strong analytical skills for conducting market research and competitive analysis
• Ability to engage with engineering teams or technical founders on a technical level
• Familiarity with defining and tracking key product metrics to measure success and inform decision-making

Nice to Have Skills

• Familiarity with the Protocol Labs ecosystem and its focus areas
• Background in emergent technologies such as web3, AI, AR, VR, BCI, etc

Things move fast at Polaris. We are passionate about what we do and its impact on the wider startup ecosystem. We believe what we do today will shape our collective paths forward as humans. If you are a creative thinker, enjoy problem solving and seeking opportunities that unlock rapid rate of learning, then this is a role for you.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Polaris is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. We believe that diversity in our team makes us stronger and more innovative. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.