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). 

Our current focus areas include digital human rights, upgrading economies and governance systems, AI and robotics, and neurotech. We advance digital human rights by building open, decentralized infrastructure that protects privacy and agency; upgrade economies and governance by enabling more transparent, resilient, and programmable coordination systems; shape safe AI and robotics through research and platforms that prioritize alignment, accountability, and human values; and unlock neurotech breakthroughs by supporting responsible interfaces between minds and machines.

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 Protocol Labs R&D

Protocol Labs R&D is the field-building engine of the Protocol Labs network. We design and operate programs that accelerate progress across critical computing frontiers—Digital Human Rights, Economies & Governance, AI & New Breakthroughs, and Neurotechnology.

PL R&D is being stood up as a new, strategic business unit within the Protocol Labs ecosystem. Its mandate is ambitious: coordinate talent, capital, programs, and infrastructure to move entire fields forward.

The Role

The R&D Operations Lead is responsible for getting PL R&D functional, operationally excellent and for ensuring that PL R&D programs actually run.

This role owns the operating system and execution engine of PL R&D. You will design how work gets planned, tracked, executed, and reviewed across Focus Areas, and you will directly oversee the operational execution of PL R&D programs, including rants, convenings, fellowships, applied labs, and other field-building initiatives.

This is a foundational leadership role for someone who can build structure in ambiguity, keep multiple complex initiatives moving, and translate strategy into sustained execution

What are the objectives of this role?

The Operations Lead ensures that PL R&D:

• Operates as a coherent, well-run organization

• Executes complex, multi-stakeholder programs reliably and at quality

• Scales programs and scope without chaos

• Maintains clarity, accountability, and momentum across Focus Areas

• Frees senior leaders to focus on strategy, field leadership, and relationships

In short: you make PL R&D both operable and executable.

What are the core responsibilities?

Stand Up the PL R&D Operating Model

• Design and implement the core operating cadence for PL R&D (planning, reviews, retros, reporting)

• Establish how Focus Areas plan work, commit to deliverables, and report progress
  Define and maintain “how we work” norms across a high-autonomy leadership team

Drive Execution and Accountability

• Translate R&D strategy and OKRs into executable plans with owners and milestones

• Track delivery across Focus Areas and programs, surfacing risks and blockers early

• Ensure cross-FA coordination where workstreams intersect

Run Program Operations Across Focus Areas

• Own or oversee the operational execution of PL R&D programs, including:

  • Grants programs

  • Convenings and retreats

  • Fellowships and residencies

  • Applied labs and pilots

• Translate program strategy into timelines, workplans, and execution checklists

• Coordinate logistics, vendors, contractors, and cross-team dependencies
  Ensure programs ship on time, on budget, and with clear ownership

Own Planning, Tracking, and Resource Management

• Run quarterly and semi-annual planning processes for PL R&D

• Maintain visibility into priorities, timelines, and resourcing

• Own budget tracking and variance awareness across programs and FAs

• Build lightweight but durable systems for tracking execution and outcomes

Be the Execution Partner to R&D Leadership

• Act as the primary execution counterpart to the R&D Lead

• Reduce operational load on Focus Area Leads so they can focus on field leadership

• Proactively identify operational risk, overload, or fragmentation

• Step in to directly run complex or cross-cutting initiatives when needed

What are the core competencies needed to do this job?

• 8–12+ years in operations, program management, or execution leadership roles

• Experience standing up new teams, programs, or business units from scratch

• Proven ability to operate in high-ambiguity, high-autonomy environments

• Exceptional written clarity and follow-through

• Credibility working with senior technical, research, or policy leaders