Ecosystem Growth Lead: Builder Programs & Funding

Wwshemi; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Flexible time off

Parental leave

Gym reimbursement

Life & ADD

Disability insurance

401K match

HSA contributions

Commuter benefits

Company retreats

Job summary

Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) in Hybrid New York is seeking a Senior Manager, Ecosystem Growth to lead a team of program managers and accelerate founder support within the Stellar ecosystem. You will own builder programs, fund selection, mentorship, and grow initiatives that drive traction and real usage.

You will establish strategy and metrics, oversee the full funnel from founder discovery to growth, and collaborate across departments to maximize impact and resources for the ecosystem.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in ecosystem growth, venture or accelerator programs, grant programs, or startup and developer programs.
• Track record of building and developing strong teams: hiring, coaching, setting expectations, and managing performance.
• Experience running a funding, investment, or accelerator program at scale, including selecting teams, due diligence, and portfolio management.
• Working knowledge of blockchain and crypto (smart contracts, wallets, DeFi, and on- and off-ramps).
• Sound judgment about early-stage teams and products: you can spot early signs of traction and allocate resources accordingly.
• Comfort with data: you define metrics, build dashboards, and change course when the evidence says to.
• Operational discipline: you design processes that hold up at high volume and retire those that no longer help.
• Clear written and spoken communication with executives, founders, and a public community.
• Comfort with ambiguity and a lean organizational structure.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop a team of senior program managers and community managers: set clear goals, give direct feedback, and help each person grow and own their work end to end
• Set the team's strategy, goals, and metrics, and run its planning and reporting rhythm so the work is visible and aligned with the rest of SDF
• Own the full builder funnel, from finding founders through selection, funding, launch, and growth, with the Stellar Community Fund at its core
• Oversee programs that help funded teams reach users and customers, such as accelerator-style go-to-market help, mentorship, liquidity awards for new financial protocols, and security audit funding for smart contract projects
• Partner with Business Development, Developer Relations, Marketing, Legal, and Finance so funding reaches the markets where Stellar is most useful
• Define and report the measures that show whether the portfolio is working: launch rates, retention at 3, 6, and 12 months, follow‑on funding, on‑chain activity, and real user adoption
• Use AI tools and automation to scale review, tracking, and reporting without growing headcount at the same rate
• Keep the Stellar builder community informed and engaged as programs change, and represent SDF at Meridian, hackathons, and industry events

Skills

Ecosystem growth

People management

Program management

Data-driven decisions

Job description

Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) in Hybrid New York is seeking a Senior Manager, Ecosystem Growth to lead a team of program managers and accelerate founder support within the Stellar ecosystem. You will own builder programs, fund selection, mentorship, and grow initiatives that drive traction and real usage.

You will establish strategy and metrics, oversee the full funnel from founder discovery to growth, and collaborate across departments to maximize impact and resources for the ecosystem.