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 Role

We are looking for a CMO to build and execute a full-spectrum marketing and communications strategy for Protocol Labs. This person will define how Protocol Labs tells its story, engages with its audiences, and grows its impact. This role will own all aspects of brand marketing and communications, from narrative development to demand generation, media relations, and digital strategy.

The ideal candidate is both a strategic thinker and a hands-on executor, able to craft compelling narratives, drive brand awareness, and execute marketing campaigns that increase visibility of Protocol Labs and its offerings. This person should be comfortable working with Protocol Labs Infra founders and ecosystem partners to create a marketing playbook that amplifies Protocol Labs’ impact across the innovation landscape.

Key Responsibilities

Marketing Strategy & Execution

• Develop and execute a holistic marketing strategy that enhances Protocol Labs’ brand recognition and reach across our four focus areas: digital human rights, economies & governance systems, breakthrough technologies, and neurotech.
• Build a demand generation framework, leveraging digital channels, content marketing, and ecosystem engagement to drive interest in the Protocol Labs network across crisply defined target audiences and demographics.
• Establish and optimize marketing KPIs, analytics, and performance tracking to measure and refine marketing impact as it relates to network-level goals.
• Integrate growth marketing strategies, such as email marketing, paid media, and lead generation, to expand Protocol Labs' reach and audience engagement.
• Collaborate with ecosystem projects and partners to co-market initiatives highlighting the Protocol Labs network’s impact.

Brand & Narrative Development

• Craft a compelling brand identity and messaging strategy for the innovation network, ensuring consistency across all channels.
• Position Protocol Labs as a thought leader for its four focus areas through content, partnerships, and media presence.
• Strategize memetic campaigns to normalize terminology core to Protocol Labs, such as "innovation network,” to assist with broader markets and target audiences’ understanding of Protocol Labs.
• Oversee brand assets, design elements, and storytelling materials to maintain a unified brand experience.

Content & Digital Marketing

• Develop and manage an integrated content calendar, including blog posts, thought leadership articles, case studies, and reports.
• Oversee Protocol Labs’ owned media channels (PL Network, Protocol.ai, social media, and newsletters) and ensure high-impact content delivery.
• Leverage growth marketing tactics, including SEO, email marketing, audience segmentation, and retargeting campaigns, to increase engagement and inbound interest.

PR, Media, & Community Engagement

• Develop and execute PR and media relations strategies, positioning Protocol Labs in top-tier publications, podcasts, and industry events as relevant based on target audience analysis.
• Build relationships with journalists, influencers, and ecosystem stakeholders to amplify Protocol Labs’ voice.
• Support executive communications by developing thought leadership opportunities for key leaders, like our founder (Juan Benet).
• Partner with developer relations and ecosystem projects to drive community engagement and advocacy.

Event & Partnership Marketing

• Support key industry events, hackathons, and conferences, ensuring a strong Protocol Labs presence.
• Develop co-marketing opportunities with ecosystem projects, investors, and technical communities.
• Lead marketing collaborations with developer communities, researchers, and innovation hubs to enhance Protocol Labs’ reach.

Marketing Ops & Systems

• Manage and optimize marketing technology tools, including CRM (HubSpot), analytics platforms, and automation tools to streamline marketing workflows.
• Oversee website strategy, performance, and content updates, ensuring an optimized user experience and strong brand presence.
• Develop and refine marketing automation workflows to improve efficiency and lead nurturing strategies.
• Implement data-driven reporting systems to track and optimize performance across growth, PR, and demand generation efforts.

Skills

Must-Have Skills

• 8-12 years of experience in marketing and communications, with at least 5 years in brand marketing and demand generation.
• Proven experience building and executing marketing strategies from scratch, ideally in web3, AI, deep tech, or emerging technology.
• Strong ability to craft brand narratives, messaging, and content strategies tailored to highly technical and innovation-driven audiences.
• Experience in media relations, PR strategy, and thought leadership development.
• Data-driven mindset with experience in SEO, analytics, and audience segmentation.
• Cross-functional leadership skills, with the ability to work across product, engineering, investment/portfolio/LP, and ecosystem teams.
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling abilities with experience in long-form content, reports, and digital media.
• Hands-on execution skills—this is a build-from-zero role, requiring someone comfortable in both strategy and execution.

Bonus Skills

• Experience scaling a marketing function from scratch at a startup, VC firm, or innovation lab.
• Familiarity with developer relations, technical storytelling, and community-driven marketing.
• Expertise in growth marketing tactics, including performance marketing, paid acquisition, and conversion optimization.
• Experience managing agency relationships, vendor partnerships, and budget allocation.

Why Join Us?

This is a rare opportunity to shape the entire marketing and communications function of an innovation network driving the next wave of breakthroughs in decentralization, AI, and computing. If you are a creative strategist, storyteller, and brand builder looking to lead end-to-end marketing efforts in a high-impact organization, we’d love to hear from you.