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: Events Lead

Polaris plays a central role in amplifying Protocol Labs’ impact in these focus areas. We do this by:

1. Spotlighting projects, teams, and individuals within the network
2. Building systems and tools to facilitate network coordination and problem solving
3. Organizing events to facilitate collaboration and grow the network

Events within the network come in different flavors. Our flagship decentralized conference series is LabWeek, with one for each of our focus areas, to facilitate collaboration across the network and invite leading teams and experts to further advance their fields. Polaris also organizes Founder Retreats, network meetups alongside major conferences, co-working spaces, and more for Protocol Labs.

As the Events Lead, you’ll work closely with Polaris and other teams in the network to develop and implement an overarching event strategy for Protocol Labs, in alignment with our broader goals. You’ll propose a calendar of events for the year, work with the network to get buy-in and support, then bring them to fruition. These events will play a critical role in growing the network and driving breakthroughs to push humanity forward.

This is not a typical event production role. In some cases, your team may directly organize the event, but in many situations you will partner with event agencies or network teams who can more effectively reach the community. Instead, your focus should be gaining a deep understanding of teams and technologies in the network, so that you can foster collaboration and drive growth in PL’s key focus areas.

Job requirements

The ideal candidate will:

• Develop a deep understanding of Protocol Labs, including our focus areas, projects, teams, and movements
• Apply first principles thinking to craft an event strategy and calendar tailored to the future vision for the network’s evolution
• Socialize event details with network leaders and participants to drive alignment and support
• Own directly organized events end-to-end, including budget, marketing and communications, programming, outreach, website and registration, sponsorships, and event production
• Partner with network teams to organize events that push our focus areas forward, and support them with sponsorships, event planning resources (e.g., venue lists) and connections (e.g., speakers, sponsors, agencies)
• Craft materials to assist network teams in their event planning to drive alignment with Protocol Labs guidelines and best practices
• Drive the creation of a conversion funnel (marketing → events → community), then track and improve funnel conversion
• Hire and build a broad range of resources to successfully and cost-effectively implement our event strategy

We expect that the ideal candidate has:

• 10+ years of strong generalist experience, of which 5+ years dedicated to event production
• High degree of agency and first principles thinking
• Deep familiarity with the projects and technologies in one or more of Protocol Labs’ focus areas
• Experience working with marketing and event teams in both a creative and analytical capacity
• Experience working with leaders at a major company or fast-paced startup
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written), with the ability to quickly drive alignment across a broad group of stakeholders

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.