Managing Director - Cardano Business Unit

Who are we?

Over the last decade, IOG’s identity has been defined by technological excellence: Ouroboros, Hydra, and the architecture of Cardano itself. All these systems are carefully engineered to offer the world better financial, social and governance systems that will become the foundation of a brighter future. At IOG, we believe the future belongs to those who think deeply, act deliberately, and build systems that amplify human potential.

In 2024 IOG began a significant transformation from a blockchain research and engineering company into a fully operational Web3 Venture Studio. This shift represents a strategic pivot that aligns IOG’s expertise in decentralization, cryptography, and blockchain infrastructure with a structured approach to venture incubation and acceleration. This shift is not a repudiation of technical rigor, but a natural evolution toward expanding the reach of our principled design process.

By leveraging a venture studio model, IOG combines structured incubation, targeted investment, and ecosystem-driven scaling to ensure that promising blockchain projects not only reach the market but also achieve long-term sustainability.

IOG seeks to accelerate Web3 adoption, reduce friction in decentralized solution deployment, and build a self-sustaining innovation ecosystem that bridges the gap between blockchain research, product development, and real-world impact. The company’s strategic focus on venture incubation, investment discipline, ecosystem development, and cultural excellence positions it as a leader in the rapidly evolving blockchain space.

Job Purpose

At IOG, we're not just building technology-we're shaping a new paradigm. As the Managing Director of the Cardano Business Unit, you will lead our flagship ecosystem, guiding foundational projects like Hydra, Identus, and DJED at the intersection of blockchain science and real-world impact. This role is more than operational leadership; it's about stewarding a commitment—to systems that serve, to protocols that protect freedom, and to a decentralized future. As the soul of IOG, you'll shape a five-year vision, scale innovation, and drive adoption, while bridging research, product, and community in a self-sustaining Web3 ecosystem. This is your chance to help lead one of the most pivotal ecosystems in the blockchain space- and leave a lasting mark on the future of decentralized systems.

You will be responsible for shaping and delivering the long-term success of one of the most significant ecosystems in the blockchain space. The Cardano Business Unit oversees a portfolio of foundational protocols and initiatives, including key projects such as Hydra, Identus, and DJED, which sit within the Engineering Group (IOE).

You will provide strategic oversight and operational leadership across these initiatives, setting a clear five-year roadmap with phased objectives and measurable results. This includes allocating venture resources to optimize ecosystem growth, sustainability, and innovation, while ensuring alignment across engineering efforts, governance bodies, community initiatives, and external partnerships.

This role requires a commercially astute leader with a strong understanding of emerging technologies such as blockchain, Web3, and distributed systems, combined with the financial and strategic capability to turn IOG’s CEO long-range vision into actionable plans that deliver tangible impact across the Cardano ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities 

Set and Execute Strategic Vision 

• Define and communicate a compelling vision and mission for the Cardano BU within IOG’s broader ecosystem strategy.
• Build out the Cardano ecosystem so it continues to occupy a leading position in the public blockchain ecosystem.
• Focus on delivering a sustainable operational model for the Cardano Business Unit by driving ecosystem growth, increasing developer adoption, and ensuring long-term resilience without reliance on commercial monetization.
• Identify and evaluate ecosystem-wide opportunities with support from the Venture Acceleration Board.
• Prioritize innovation initiatives based on market potential, strategic fit, and scalability.
• Provide strategic advice to the CEO and VAB, equipping them with a clear, data driven view of market dynamics and the Cardano BU future outlook. 

Ecosystem Participation

• Support Cardano’s narrative - setting the tone, themes, and key messages, while drawing on strategic input from the EVP of Community & Ecosystem to keep community priorities front‑and‑centre.

• Represent the Cardano BU in strategic forums, industry events, and regulatory conversations.

• Champion open governance, decentralization, and ecosystem integrity.
• Cultivate trust and transparency within the Cardano community and among key stakeholders.
• Drive a culture of ecosystem collaboration across the team. 

Operational & Organizational Oversight

• Lead and manage the General Manager overseeing all products and entities within the Cardano Business Unit.
• Foster a high-performance, mission-aligned culture while ensuring organizational coherence across diverse teams.
• Ensure full alignment with IOG’s strategic PI planning cycle, actively contributing to quarterly product cycle and annual planning activities, and ensuring all BU initiatives are sequenced, resourced, and prioritised within the broader portfolio context.
• Actively participate in IOG's strategic PI planning cycle, including quarterly product cycle and annual planning activities, to ensure that all BU initiatives are sequenced, resourced, and prioritized within the broader portfolio context and aligned with IOG's strategic objectives.
• Establish OKRs and reporting frameworks to measure and drive success across units.
  
  

Collaboration with IOG Venture Studio

• Work as a core member of IOG’s Venture Studio, contributing thought leadership on venture scaling, market creation, and ecosystem design.
• Partner with the Cardano BU VAB to evaluate investment needs, go-to-market readiness, and spin-out potential of BU initiatives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with functional teams across IOG- including Legal, Finance, Growth, Ecosystem, People, and Talent Acquisition - to ensure the Cardano BU’s priorities are fully supported, compliant, and strategically aligned across the organisation.
• Integrate cross-functional inputs into BU planning cycles and , ensuring that hiring plans, budget forecasts, governance structures, and go-to-market initiatives are coordinated and well-sequenced.
• Foster a culture of transparency and partnership with support functions, enabling smoother execution of initiatives and proactive resolution of dependencies or constraints.
• Model collaborative leadership by building trusted relationships with functional leaders and their teams, ensuring alignment between BU-level goals and company-wide standards and processes.
  

People Management and Leadership 

• Architect scalable operating models that let autonomous teams move fast while staying aligned to Cardano‑wide OKRs and governance principles.
• Embed consistent people practices- regular performance reviews, structured team‑connect sessions, continuous feedback loops, and tailored development pathways- in line with organizational guidelines and model them across every venture team.
• Coach venture leaders on high performance, succession planning, and culture scaling—maintaining ready‑now / ready‑later leadership slates for critical roles.
• Sponsor leadership development through targeted programmes, mentorship circles, and periodic off‑sites that reinforce Cardano’s values and high‑performance behaviors.

Leadership 

As Leaders it is our responsibility to motivate, develop and progress our fellow team members. There is a need to communicate openly with all members of your team, address any issues head on and not shy away from difficult conversations. Empowering your team to provide the best results by organizing clear processes and coordinating team efforts should be your top priority. Please read our Leadership at IO Global for more information on your duties and responsibilities as a leader at IOG.

Requirements

Who you are

• 15+ years of leadership experience, including C-level, SVP, or Managing Director roles in technology, finance, or blockchain sectors.
• Proven success in driving business transformation, platform growth, or scaling high-impact ventures.
• Experience working within a venture studio, accelerator, or innovation lab model.
• Early‑stage investing, ecosystem‑funding, and capital‑allocation track record.
• Extensive relationships with VCs, unicorn executives, and other high‑leverage stakeholders that unlock capital, partnerships, and visibility.
• Strong practical understanding of crypto-economics, protocol governance, and token-based business models, with the ability to apply them effectively in real-world scenarios.
• Financial fluency - able to build business cases, understand P&L, and shape funding models.
• Deep expertise in blockchain protocols, Web3 stacks, and distributed architectures.
• Strong understanding of venture creation, product-market fit, and growth-stage dynamics within Web3 ecosystems. 
• Clear, persuasive written and verbal skills; able to translate complex blockchain concepts for audiences from engineers to policymakers.
• Operates effectively at every level, forging trust with team members, managers, and senior executives across functions and geographies.
• Exceptional leadership and team management skills, with the ability to lead diverse teams to success.
• Visionary yet pragmatic leader with excellent judgment, able to anticipate future trends and opportunities while driving realistic, impactful outcomes through strong decision-making.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with sharp strategic and commercial instincts, grounded in a deep respect for Cardano’s founding vision and a firm commitment to advancing it — not redefining it.
• Committed to open innovation, ethical leadership, and decentralized governance.

Benefits

• Remote work
• Laptop reimbursement
• New starter package to buy hardware essentials (headphones, monitor, etc)
• Learning & Development opportunities
• Competitive PTO 

At IOG, we value diversity and always treat all employees and job applicants based on merit, qualifications, competence, and talent. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.