Head of Hackathon Programs - Midnight Foundation
We are looking for a Head of Hackathon Programs to join our Developer Relations team and make Midnight's hackathon ecosystem a world‑class engine for developer acquisition, activation, and retention.
Midnight is a regulatory‑friendly, data protection‑based blockchain that safeguards sensitive commercial and personal data using zero‑knowledge proofs and a privacy‑first programming model.
In this role, you'll own the global hackathon program, spanning virtual, in‑person, and partner‑led initiatives, and ensure every activation connects seamlessly into Midnight's broader builder journey through the Academy, Quests, and Build Club.
This position blends program management, community engagement, and developer lifecycle design. You'll collaborate across DevRel, education, and ecosystem functions to deliver smooth, high‑impact hackathons that consistently convert developers into long‑term contributors.
Main Goals
Deliver a consistent, high‑quality cadence of global hackathons that attract and activate developers
Ensure hackathons produce projects that mature into Build Club and ecosystem pipelines
Connect hackathon themes and outcomes directly to Midnight's education programs (Academy, Quests)
Provide developers with clear, rewarding next steps beyond demo day
Strengthen Midnight's reputation as the chain where builders learn, launch, and grow
Responsibilities
Program Management
Own the global hackathon calendar, including virtual, IRL, university, and partner‑hosted programs
Manage the full program lifecycle: theme design, structure, mentor assignments, judging, prizes, comms, and reporting
Develop and maintain scalable frameworks, templates, and playbooks to ensure consistency across regions
Track and report on key funnel metrics: registrations, submissions, conversions to Build Club, and retention rates
Developer Activation
Build and manage the end‑to‑end funnel from hackathon → Academy → Build Club → grants/partnership pipeline
Collaborate with DevRel Engineers and the Developer Educator to align hackathon themes with learning content and example DApps
Monitor project quality and maturity, and coordinate with BD and Partnerships to identify standout projects for follow‑on support
Education and Content Integration
Ensure every hackathon produces reusable developer resources: working Compact contracts, demo UIs, test suites, and READMEs
Curate learnings (winning projects, common blockers, FAQs) into tutorials, quests, and content for ongoing education
Partner with the Academy Instructor and Technical Writers to turn hackathon outputs into learning materials
Community and Partner Engagement
Manage relationships with global partners, including HackQuest, EasyA, RiseIn, MLH, and Devpost/Dora
Represent Midnight at partner and university events; serve as the on‑ground point of contact for mentors, judges, and participants
Capture developer insights and feedback to inform future program improvements
Operations and Delivery
Oversee operational planning and delivery in partnership with the Events and Ops teams
Manage logistics, budgets, swag, vendors, and communications while maintaining a clear focus on developer experience
Ensure all post‑event tasks, reporting, surveys, and repository validation are completed accurately and on time
Requirements
Qualifications
3+ years of experience in developer relations, program management, or community operations
Proven track record running hackathons, accelerators, or builder programs
Strong organizational, coordination, and communication skills
Ability to connect events to measurable developer outcomes (growth, retention, activation)
Data‑driven and comfortable analyzing program metrics
Experience in blockchain/Web3 and open‑source ecosystems
Nice to Have
Familiarity with developer education programs or university outreach
Existing network in hackathon organizations, blockchain clubs, or developer communities
Public speaking or community‑facing content experience (workshops, livestreams, presentations)
Fluency in additional human or programming languages
What Success Looks Like
Hackathons consistently run on time, within budget, and deliver measurable developer conversions
≥ 30% of hackathon projects progress into Build Club or follow‑on programs
≥ 70% of mentored projects remain active 3 months post‑event
Every hackathon produces at least one reusable reference DApp or educational artifact
Developer satisfaction and repeat participation continue to rise across cohorts and regions
Benefits
Remote work
Competitive PTO
Medical, Dental & Optical coverage
Life Insurance & Critical Illness
Pension
At the Midnight Foundation 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.
Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
Employment type: Full‑time
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