About Protocol Labs

Protocol Labs is a research, development, and deployment network dedicated to driving breakthroughs in computing that advance humanity. Our ecosystem consists of over 450 open-source teams and projects working across decentralized computing, cryptography, and digital rights. Our mission spans three core areas:

• Securing digital human rights – Building verifiable, censorship-resistant, and privacy-preserving technologies.
• Upgrading economies & governance – Redesigning global economic and governance systems through crypto-native mechanisms.
• Developing advanced technologies – Ensuring responsible acceleration in AI, AR/VR, BCI, and other emerging fields.

At Protocol Labs, we don’t just build technology—we create the infrastructure for a new internet paradigm.

The Role: Head of Web3 Programs

As Head of Web3 Programs, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of decentralized systems. You will drive strategic initiatives that accelerate Web3 development, support privacy and censorship-resistant infrastructure, and foster collaboration among leading technologists, researchers, and investors. Your work will directly impact foundational projects such as IPFS, Ethereum, DePIN, Filecoin, libp2p, and other critical Web3 infrastructure.

This role is for a highly experienced, deeply technical, and strategically visionary leader who understands the trajectory of Web3 over the next 5-10 years and is committed to shaping its long-term success.

Why This Role Matters

Web3 was founded on the promise of privacy, censorship resistance, and secure digital rights. However, to fully realize this vision, we need to go beyond incremental improvements. With growing regulatory pressures, increasing centralization of communication and financial systems, and rapid advances in AI and surveillance technologies, the choices we make today will define the internet for decades to come.

This is a rare and urgent window to build and deploy privacy-preserving technologies at scale. The future of Web3 depends on a fundamental shift in internet infrastructure, developed by builders who prioritize privacy, verifiability, and censorship resistance at the protocol level. The Head of Web3 Programs will be at the forefront of this transformation—ensuring that Protocol Labs and the broader ecosystem drive meaningful, lasting impact.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Field-Building

• Map the Web3 ecosystem, identifying key players, projects, funding gaps, and technological bottlenecks.
• Develop and execute initiatives to align the most impactful contributors with high-leverage opportunities in the decentralized stack.
• Lead major convenings, such as founder retreats and technical workshops, to synchronize efforts across the field.

Program Development & Execution

• Architect and oversee developer engagement strategies (hackathons, grants, hacker houses, and accelerator partnerships).
• Organize cross-network coordination events to facilitate collaboration between leading Web3 teams.
• Drive capital formation efforts, securing co-funding from aligned investors, DAOs, and grant programs to support critical public goods in Web3.
• Design and implement privacy and security roadmaps for decentralized infrastructure.

Fundraising & Capital Allocation

• Identify and secure funding sources—including grants, philanthropic capital, venture co-funding, and retroactive public goods funding (RetroPGF)—to support ecosystem growth.
• Develop and manage funding programs that efficiently allocate capital to high-impact teams and initiatives.
• Build relationships with top Web3 investors, grant-making organizations, and aligned philanthropists.

Thought Leadership & Ecosystem Engagement

• Serve as a public-facing advocate for Web3 privacy, digital rights, and decentralized infrastructure.
• Shape industry-wide conversations through speaking engagements, published research, and collaboration with regulatory bodies.
• Engage with leading builders, ensuring that Protocol Labs remains at the forefront of Web3 innovation.

Impact Measurement & Iteration

• Develop KPIs to track progress across Web3 ecosystem development, iterating on programs based on impact data.
• Establish robust feedback loops between funders, developers, and infrastructure teams to optimize allocation of resources.

What You Bring

• 10+ years in Web3, cryptography, decentralized protocols, or adjacent fields.
• Strong understanding of cryptographic protocols, decentralized networks, and Web3 infrastructure (e.g., IPFS, Filecoin, libp2p, zk-proofs, decentralized identity).
• Experience leading senior-level industry initiatives, with existing credibility among top Web3 builders, researchers, and investors.
• Established trusted networks with key leaders in Ethereum, Filecoin, ZK/privacy ecosystems, and funding bodies.
• Familiarity with Web3-native funding models, including DAOs, public goods funding, and decentralized grant programs.
• Experience designing and executing high-impact developer programs, events, and ecosystem-building initiatives.
• Ability to anticipate where Web3 is heading and design programs that address long-term challenges.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to synthesize technical and strategic insights into clear, compelling narratives.

Why Join Protocol Labs?

• Shape the future of the internet by driving transformative programs at the highest levels of Web3 innovation.
• Collaborate with leading cryptographers, decentralized systems researchers, and builders across the Protocol Labs network.
• Push forward privacy-preserving systems, decentralized storage, and self-sovereign identity as part of the next evolution of the internet.

Next Steps

If you're ready to take a leadership role in defining the future of Web3, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now to help drive the next wave of decentralized innovation.