Chief Operating Officer, PL Capital

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. 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, Build the Future With Us and PL Summit 2024.

About the Company

As an innovation network rooted in a culture of collaboration, Protocol Labs requires a fresh approach to advancing emerging technologies.

PL Infra is the umbrella organization that builds and maintains the infrastructure needed for Protocol Labs' teams, projects, and the broader network to thrive. It encompasses several core teams, including PL Capital (PLC), PL Corporate Services (PLCS), and Polaris.

About PL Capital

PL Capital (PLC) is the capital formation entity within Protocol Labs, focused on building a mission-aligned family of funds that advance humanity through breakthroughs in computing. PLC partners closely with teams across the Protocol Labs network to identify transformative opportunities, structure innovative investment vehicles, and foster long-term relationships with capital partners who share our vision for a more open, equitable, and technologically advanced future.

The Role

We are seeking a highly strategic and operationally focused Chief Operating Officer (COO) to help scale and manage our venture capital fund. This executive leader will oversee all aspects of business operations, fund administration, and organizational execution. The ideal candidate has deep experience in fund operations and scaling investment firms, with a strong understanding of venture capital dynamics and Web3 ecosystems.

As COO, you will work closely with executive leadership, the investment team, and external stakeholders to drive operational excellence, support capital deployment, and ensure firm-wide efficiency and scalability.

Key Responsibilities

Oversee the firm's operational framework, including fund administration, LP reporting, and internal processes.

Build and optimize systems for fund operations, finance, and team collaboration.

Manage investor relations and support fundraising efforts, capital calls, and LP communications.

Support capital allocation strategy and portfolio management processes.

Partner with external service providers (fund administrators, auditors, etc.) to ensure smooth operational execution.

Implement scalable workflows and tools to support the firm's growth.

Monitor and improve performance metrics across operational areas.

Facilitate cross-functional coordination between the investment team and back-office functions.

Support strategic initiatives related to ecosystem partnerships, new investment products, and platform services for portfolio companies.

Qualifications

10+ years of experience in a senior operational or executive leadership role, preferably in venture capital, private equity, or tech startups.

Proven track record of building and scaling fund operations or similar financial organizations.

Understanding of venture capital fund mechanics, LP / GP dynamics, and capital flows.

Experience managing investor relations and internal operations at an investment firm.

Strong organizational, execution, and communication skills.

Experience in Web3, blockchain, or fintech investments is a strong plus.

Highly collaborative, adaptable, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment.

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