Description
Koch Disruptive Technologies (KDT) focuses on investing in transformative technology companies across multiple industries. Our goal is to identify and invest in the highest potential entrepreneurs and technologies to accelerate Koch’s virtuous cycles of capability development. To support this mission, KDT is seeking a Koch Labs Director with strong experience developing and deploying web3 and blockchain solutions. The Koch Labs Capability creates mutual benefit by engaging current and future KDT portfolio companies with subject matter experts, deployment opportunities, and capabilities from across Koch’s businesses. The Koch Labs Capability interacts with many of the highest quality entrepreneurs in some of the most interesting technologies in the world. In addition to spotting world-changing technologies, we engage Koch capabilities to help those entrepreneurs develop and deploy their technologies at Koch and beyond. This role can be based in Wichita, KS, Atlanta, GA, Chicago, IL, Denver, Co or New York, NY.
What You Will Do In Your Role
Point of view development, external network development, tracking and assessment of macro trends, identification of mutual beneficial opportunities between Koch businesses and web3/blockchain companies.
Develop and refine KDT’s web3/blockchain investment thesis.
Collaborate with Koch’s Distributed Ledger Team to identify and lead educational and training opportunities on how Koch businesses can benefit from web3 and blockchain technologies.
Effectively represent Koch and KDT by developing strong, high quality, mutually beneficial relationships with entrepreneurs from prospective and actual KDT portfolio companies.
Drive mutual benefit through discovery of opportunities, prioritization, engagement with Koch business & capability leaders, project execution, and results measurement, leveraging KDT’s Koch Labs Engagement Framework
Participate in KDT’s origination efforts to identify potential investment opportunities.
Build a collaborative, high quality network of subject matter experts across the industry and across Koch Industries portfolio of companies and capabilities.
Create and lead technology deployment plans that include scope definition, timelines, deliverables, and resource requirements pre and post investment. Hold Koch Labs engaged partners accountable for results and communicate progress to stakeholders.
Create and lead capability engagement plans to connect targeted Koch capabilities with opportunities to create significant value for KDT portfolio companies – while driving actualization and fulfillment for Koch employees.
Apply KDT’s knowledge processes to efficiently share information and access subject matter experts from across Koch’s businesses, capabilities, and leaders.
Advance the Koch Labs framework through continuous improvement & innovation, and communication to internal and external stakeholders.
Assume responsibility for 100% compliance with the laws, regulations, company policy, and industry standards applicable to this role.
The Experience You Will Bring
An Information Technology and Compute (software and/or hardware) background that is applicable to understanding how a wide variety of new technologies may be engaged to create value within Koch and for society.
Ability to lead technical diligence sessions with prospective entrepreneurs, asking probing questions and engaging Koch SMEs in the discussion. Ability to synthesize and recap technical discussions for KDT.
Ability to provide a perspective on the wide range of emerging blockchain protocols and associated technologies, including but not limited to, NFTs, tokens, wallets, smart contracts, mining and more. And the ability to translate these technologies into applicable solutions.
Ability to develop a technology roadmap for the full life cycle of blockchain-enabled solutions
Ability to provide a recommendation based upon a strong understanding of the web3 and blockchain landscape based upon well-designed research and collaboration
Experience hosting technical workshops and knowledge sharing sessions to guide adoption and deployment of new blockchain and web3 technologies within Koch Industries.
Strong collaboration and teamwork skills that are applicable to a wide range of stakeholders, both internal and external to Koch.
Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
High degree of interpersonal intelligence.
Flexibility and capability to analyze and identify opportunities across numerous value chains.
Intellectual curiosity & passion for new technologies.
Strong work ethic and a results-driven sense of urgency.
Requirements
At least 10 years of experience in Information Technology & Compute or related fields
At least 2 years in blockchain technologies, including web3, NFTs, crypto tokens, wallets, smart contracts, mining, DeFi, and staking
Deep understanding of emerging blockchain platforms and protocols with a clear vision in what role they will play in the future of the ecosystem
Deep knowledge within scalable technologies for Cloud, Big Data, Blockchain, and distributed architectures
Experience evaluating new technologies including economic feasibility and overall technical viability
Experience delivering actionable recommendations to senior managers on cost and resource requirements of implementation of new processes or technology
Experience using processes to share knowledge across internal teams
Demonstrated project leadership or portfolio management experience
Experience preparing analyses and presentations for senior management
Experience with collaboration and knowledge sharing tools
Ability to travel as needed
What Will Put You Ahead
Strong network (public and private sector) of blockchain and web3 entrepreneurs and resources
Technical expertise, engineering skill, innovation experience, or general knowledge in software development & deployment (CI/CD), AI & machine learning, cyber-security, cloud computing, edge computing, IoT, quantum computing, enterprise software, integrated circuits, semi-conductors, or electronics hardware.
Experience in the use of Open Innovation practices to identify technology solutions to meet business needs.
Formal experience and training in project management methodologies
Proficiency with Microsoft Dynamics or another CRM
Experience in early or growth stage investing in or around blockchain technologies
Active in the advisory board of at least one blockchain protocol foundation
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.
Colorado Posting Guidance: For this role, we anticipate paying $125K-$275K per year. This role is eligible for variable pay.
*Note: For the interview Koch is pronounced like Coke.
