About the Role

As the Head of Partnerships at RISC Zero, you'll be the key driver in forging and nurturing strategic partnerships crucial for our growth. In a team of diverse hackers, futurists, and nerds, you'll work closely with our team and noteworthy founders in the crypto space to align these partnerships with our vision.

We've created the world's first zkVM capable of running arbitrary code as a zero-knowledge proof. Your role involves building and driving partnerships that expand our ecosystem, utilizing your market insights and strategic acumen to significantly influence our trajectory. Join us in making the Internet the place we all deserve.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Partnership Development: Cultivate and maintain pivotal partnerships with key projects in the crypto space, focusing on opportunities that align with RISC Zero’s product offerings.

• Focused Planning and Framework Creation: Design and spearhead the strategy process and framework for significant verticals, ensuring they align with RISC Zero’s goals.

• Collaborative Teamwork for Partnership Alignment: Partner with cross-functional teams, including founders, engineering, product and growth, to align partnership initiatives with company objectives.

• In-depth Knowledge of RISC Zero’s zkVM, Bonsai: Acquire comprehensive knowledge and proficiency in discussing RISC Zero and its market positioning.

• Effective Partnership and Team Communication: Communicate strategically with external partners and internal teams to ensure the cohesion and achievement of our growth goals.

• Market Insight and Trend Analysis: Continuously update knowledge on industry trends, the competitive landscape, and emerging partnership opportunities.

• Leadership in Strategic Initiatives: Take charge of large, high-priority, strategic deals involving cross-functional teams, making critical decisions that significantly impact RISC Zero’s direction and growth.

Top Initiatives You’ll Own  (over the first 3-6 months)

• Close High-Priority Partnerships: Successfully negotiate and close strategic partnerships for RISC Zero.

• Proposal and Documentation Development: Draft clear and comprehensive proposals, MOUs, and integration documentation for partners.

• Technical Collaboration: Work closely with founders and technical teams to bridge the gap between partner needs and RISC Zero capabilities.

Long-term (1 year)

• Strategic Partnership Development: Cultivate and strengthen long-term relationships with key partners, contributing significantly to RISC Zero's market positioning and growth.

Minimum Qualifications

• Blockchain Partnership Expertise: Demonstrated track record of forging partnerships in the Web3 space, skilled in crafting mutually beneficial agreements.

• In-depth Blockchain Industry Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of the blockchain ecosystem, encompassing infrastructure and immediate applications, particularly within the Layer 2 and ZK ecosystems.

• Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Alignment: Demonstrated ability to drive consensus and support from key internal and external stakeholders for strategic decisions.

• Experience in Partnership Development: Minimum of 3 years of experience developing, negotiating, and managing partnership agreements in crypto.

• Collaboration with Crypto Founders and Engineering Teams: Experience working closely with founders in the crypto space to ensure that partnership initiatives are technically viable and align with the strategic vision of our prospective partners.

• Project Management: Proven experience in managing complex projects with a track record of successful outcomes.

• Technical Understanding: Deep familiarity with technical concepts native to the crypto space and the capability to effectively discuss technical issues with engineering teams.

• Effective Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience in proposal and documentation writing and public speaking.

• Strategic Thinking: Demonstrated strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

Ideal Candidate Qualities: