Product Manager - IOE: Cardano

IOG is a technology company focused on blockchain research and development, renowned for its scientific approach to blockchain development that emphasizes peer‑reviewed research and formal methods to ensure security, scalability, and sustainability. Our projects include the Cardano blockchain, decentralized finance (DeFi), governance, and identity management, all aimed at advancing blockchain and Web3 technology globally.

What the role involves

• Lead and manage one or several products from inception to release, reporting to the Head of Product and working closely with cross‑functional teams.
• Be the main point of contact for your product, ensuring seamless end‑to‑end operation and demonstrating leadership without formal authority.
• Drive a structured product planning process (e.g., Quarterly Product Planning, QPP) to align stakeholders on short‑term deliverables (6 months) and long‑term objectives (12–18+ months).
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to build and maintain a robust quarterly roadmap, balancing near‑term execution with long‑term vision.
• Create and manage formal documentation, including Market Requirements Documents (MRDs), Product Requirements Documents (PRDs), and Feature Requirements Documents (FRDs), ensuring traceability to market needs and stakeholder feedback.
• Maintain rigorous version control of all product documents to reflect evolving insights, user feedback, and business requirements.
• Work with customers, partners, and cross‑functional groups (e.g., marketing, communications, design) to ensure their needs are captured in the roadmap and inform product updates.
• Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to clarify how product changes will impact the user community and the wider market, supporting the creation of collateral and messaging.
• Partner with business development to evaluate new opportunities, integrating them into the roadmap based on strategic alignment and potential value.
• Conduct ongoing market research to stay abreast of industry and community needs, blockchain and cryptocurrency trends, and competitor activity.
• Quantify potential opportunities and validate assumptions with surveys, interviews, and data analysis.
• Leverage findings to update MRDs, PRDs, and FRDs regularly, revisiting them each quarter as part of QPP.
• Work closely with Program Management, Engineering, and QA teams to ensure features are delivered in the right sequence and meet expectations regarding quality, functionality, and schedule.
• Define priorities for product development in collaboration with internal stakeholders, ensuring alignment with broader business goals and user needs.
• Lead rigorous quarterly reviews to assess product progress, revalidate requirements (MRDs, PRDs, FRDs), and make adjustments based on new insights.
• Engage and contribute to relevant Open Source Software communities, championing your product and seeking feedback.
• Monitor and evaluate community input, integrating valuable suggestions back into the product roadmap and documentation.
• Drive the product through its full lifecycle—from concept to launch, release management, and post‑launch operations.
• Prepare and deliver product‑level content such as blogs, technical documentation, and presentations to support marketing and business development.
• Participate in quarterly product planning (QPP) sessions to share key updates, insights, and roadmap adjustments with the broader organization.

Requirements

• Proven technical capabilities (Computer Science degree or equivalent experience).
• Typically 5+ years of experience working in software development.
• Typically 5 years of experience in product management or a related role.
• Experience collaborating with highly technical engineering, design, and business teams.
• Experience developing blockchain or infrastructure technologies such as database or middleware.
• Ideally, experience in finance or Web3.
• At least 1 year of business experience in blockchain or cryptocurrency technology, ideally around L1 and L2 scaling solutions.
• Experience working in an Agile environment and leading highly technical product teams.
• Experience implementing processes to define metrics and measure the success of launched products.
• Strong leadership skills, resourcefulness, and initiative.
• Competency with requirements elicitation, analysis, specification, verification, and management practices.
• Ability to develop productive relationships at various levels and manage user expectations effectively.
• User‑driven mindset with a strong understanding of stakeholder needs.
• Strong interpersonal skills to drive innovation in product development alongside world‑class engineers and scientists.
• Exemplary people and communication skills, with the maturity to garner the respect of senior management and clients.
• A keen desire to impact blockchain and crypto aligned to IOG’s vision.
• First‑hand experience using web3 products, understanding their UX, economics, and impact.
• Curiosity and natural engagement with users, partners, and stakeholders to gain insights.
• Active contribution to Open Source Software communities.
• Continuous learning about competitor status from technical and business perspectives.

Benefits

• Remote work.
• Laptop reimbursement.
• New‑starter package for hardware essentials (headphones, monitor, etc.).
• Learning & Development opportunities.
• Competitive paid time off.

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.