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