CAREERS

About Protocol Labs

Protocol Labs is an innovation network of 750+ teams, projects, and movements with 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. Protocol Labs operates as an innovation network built to help breakthrough technologies move from bold R&D into real-world adoption. Through funding, mentorship, and deep network support, PL has enabled pioneering teams to cross the critical “R&D chasm” and bring transformative products to market. Our network has supported projects like IPFS, Filecoin, and libp2p, alongside emerging efforts in neurotech, AI, and digital rights, demonstrating the breadth of impact possible when world-class founders and investors connect through Protocol Labs. Our key focus areas include digital human rights, upgrading economies and governance systems, safe AI, and neurotech. For more information on Protocol Labs and our focus areas, please watch Juan Benet’s talk from PL Summit 2023 and the 2024 PL Summit Video (Remote Update).

About Polaris

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 network 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.

Purpose

Protocol Labs hosts gatherings that catalyze collaboration, shape emerging fields, and accelerate progress across domains like AI, Neurotech, and Coordination. We’re hiring an Events Lead (L6) to serve as the lead producer across this portfolio — someone who can take the strategic intent of domain leads (“directors”) and translate it into high-impact, world-class convenings.

This is not a logistics role. It’s a strategic creative production role — combining taste, systems thinking, and operational mastery to ensure every event achieves concrete outcomes and reflects the ambition of the network.

Core Responsibilities

1. Partner with Directors (Domain Leads)

• Translate domain goals into clear event concepts, design logic, and execution plans.
• Coach domain leads through event design decisions — audience composition, format, pacing, and tone — that influence outcomes.
• Bring strategic clarity and operational rigor to creative visions.

2. Lead Event Production for Key Gatherings

• Serve as lead producer for flagship or complex events (e.g., retreats, summits, convenings).
• Manage planning, budgeting, production, and post-event debriefs through La Christa and agency partners.
• Ensure design and production align tightly with each event’s theory of change.

3. Build the Events System

• Develop templates, briefs, and processes that codify Protocol Labs’ event “codebase.”
• Maintain visibility into the overall event landscape across domains to ensure coherence and reduce duplication.
• Build quality standards and decision frameworks so distributed teams can self-serve confidently.

4. Manage and Grow Capability

• Manage La Christa (L3 Event Producer) to run event operations and coordinate logistics.
• Identify and onboard agencies or contractors as needed for scale or specialization.
• Cultivate a network of trusted vendors and producers globally.

What “Good” Looks Like

• Every event has a clear purpose, audience logic, and intended outcomes — not just a theme.
• Domain leads feel empowered to lead with vision while supported by expert production and design.
• There’s a cohesive narrative and quality bar across all PL events, regardless of who runs them.
• The network learns from each event — outcomes are captured, shared, and feed into next iterations.

Ideal Background

• 10+ years producing or directing mission-driven, top-tier convenings (e.g., major VC platforms, foundations, or innovation networks).
• Proven record of translating strategic intent into designed experiences that catalyze action — not just deliver programming.
• Experience partnering with senior founders, researchers, or investors as creative collaborators, not clients.
• Deep understanding of event pacing, narrative, and audience composition as levers for impact.
• Operates with the discipline of an executive producer and the creative sensibility of an experience designer.
• Skilled manager of small internal teams and external agencies; thrives in distributed systems with high autonomy.

Bonus:

• Experience in frontier tech or science communities (AI, biotech, neurotech, Web3).
• History of building event frameworks or “codes” that scale across organizations.
• Exceptional aesthetic and storytelling instincts.