Product Operations Lead

Overview Interested in working on cutting-edge blockchain technology and creating equitable access to the global financial system? Since 2014, the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) has supported the growth of the Stellar blockchain network, an open-source platform used by developers and companies worldwide. The team is expanding to support the Stellar ecosystem. Role SDF is creating its first dedicated Product Operations role. We are seeking an experienced operator to stand it up as our founding Product Operations Lead. You will own the operational backbone of the Product organization — the systems, cadences, and standards that help our PMs, designers, and engineers plan, build, and ship consistently and at a high bar. You are a hands-on builder who works from first principles, excited to bring proven product-ops practices to a fast-moving, mission-driven team — including identifying where AI and agentic workflows can accelerate product work. Responsibilities In your first 30 days: learn how Product currently plans and ships, identify the highest-leverage gaps, and propose a lightweight operating model. Within 90 days: stand up the core operating cadences (planning cycles, product reviews, roadmap and execution tracking) and define the PM tool stack. Own and evolve the operating system Product uses to plan, track, and communicate work — roadmaps, planning artifacts, and execution tracking — in close partnership with Engineering. Design and run lightweight operating cadences (planning cycles, product reviews, execution check-ins) without adding unnecessary process. Improve visibility into priorities, progress, and decisions across the product organization. Identify where automation, AI, and agents can materially change how product work gets done, and turn those ideas into adopted capabilities. Build systems that capture and share high-quality product work (e.g., comprehensive PRDs) and decisions to raise the bar and accelerate learning across teams. Be the internal voice of the customer and ecosystem: build structured feedback loops and synthesize signal into roadmap inputs. Over time, own PM onboarding and enablement, and partner with Product leadership to reinforce a high-performing product culture (Product All Hands, summits / onsites). Qualifications 6+ years in Product Operations, Technical Program Management, or a similar role in a fast-moving, product-led organization. A track record of standing up or significantly scaling a product operating model from a blank page. Strong systems thinking; you design operating models that scale without adding bureaucracy. A scrappy, high-ownership executor who gets things done and is comfortable building in ambiguity. Strong analytical skills (quantitative and qualitative) and clear, concise written and verbal communication. Strong product instincts and genuine empathy for PMs and cross-functional partners. Hands-on familiarity with AI tools and a point of view on where agentic workflows can accelerate product work. Bonus Points You have been a founding or first product-ops hire. Prior technical experience, or deep curiosity to build technical fluency in our products. Experience in crypto / blockchain, fintech, or developer-platform companies. Experience building agentic workflows or tooling to support product / engineering processes. Compensation & Benefits We offer a base salary range of $170,000 - $245,000, depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and location. In addition, we offer lumen-denominated grants along with the following perks and benefits: USA Benefits/Perks: Competitive health, dental & vision coverage with most plans covered at 100% for the employee and dependents. Flexible time off + 15 company holidays including a company-wide holiday break. Generous paid parental leave for all parents, plus paid pregnancy disability leave for birthing parents. Gym reimbursement ($80 per month). Life & ADD (up to $50K). Short & Long term disability. 401K with 4% match. Health & Dependent Care FSA Accounts. Commuter benefits with $250/month employer contribution. Health Savings Account (HSA) with monthly employer contribution. Family building benefits through Kindbody. Wellbeing benefits (One Medical, Rightway, Headspace). L&D budget of $1,500/year. Daily lunch and snacks in office. Company retreats. #LI-Hybrid About Stellar Stellar is more than a blockchain. Powered by a decentralized, fast, scalable, and uniquely sustainable network made for financial products and services and a thriving ecosystem that includes a mission-driven nonprofit organization, Stellar aims to unlock the world’s economic potential through blockchain technology. The Stellar network provides builders and financial institutions worldwide a platform to issue assets, and to send and convert currencies in real time, creating real-world utility. Founded in 2014, the Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) supports the continued development and growth of the Stellar network and its ecosystem through tooling, funding, and strategic collaborations. About the Stellar Development Foundation The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) is a nonprofit focused on supporting change-makers to create equitable access to the global financial system through blockchain technology. SDF provides grants, investments, funding, and other awards to builders and organizations and develops resources and tooling on the Stellar network to unlock real-world utility. We look forward to hearing from you! Privacy Policy By submitting your application, you are agreeing to our use and processing of your data in accordance with our Privacy Policy. SDF is committed to diversity in its workforce and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. SDF does not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other basis protected by applicable local, state or federal law. #J-18808-Ljbffr Stellar