Protocol Strategist at Gauntlet

About Gauntlet

Gauntlet is the leader in quantitative research and optimization of DeFi economics. We help protocols manage market risk, drive growth, and ensure economic safety across the decentralized ecosystem. Our models support the largest protocols in DeFi — those that power most spot trading, borrowing, and lending activity globally.

We also build institutional-grade vaults that deliver risk-adjusted on-chain yields at scale, developed by some of the most quantitative and research-driven minds in crypto. As of April 2025, Gauntlet manages risk and incentives covering over $42 billion in total value locked (TVL).

A Series B company with around 75 employees, Gauntlet operates remote-first with a home base in New York City. We’re one of the most widely cited institutions in DeFi — including among academia — and publish peer-reviewed research that informs our risk models, simulations, and analytics.

Our mission is to advance financial innovation by designing safer, smarter, and more efficient decentralized systems. We work at the intersection of finance, data science, and mechanism design to make DeFi scalable and sustainable.

About the Role

The Protocol Strategist plays a critical role in driving the success of Gauntlet’s client engagements and business verticals. You’ll be the trusted advisor and partner to top-tier DeFi protocols, responsible for ensuring both client and company success.

You’ll work cross-functionally — translating complex client needs into actionable strategies for data scientists, engineers, and product teams. This is a strategic, analytical, and client-facing role that blends relationship management with problem-solving at the frontier of decentralized finance.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and manage client relationships, developing strategic engagement plans for key partners.

• Define and lead cross-functional initiatives that align client goals with Gauntlet’s business objectives.

• Translate client requirements into well-scoped deliverables for data and engineering teams.

• Coordinate internal resources to ensure timely, high-quality execution of client deliverables.

• Identify product and growth opportunities through deep engagement with clients and market data.

• Lead cross-functional support situations to quickly and effectively resolve issues.

Requirements & Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in investment banking, financial services, management consulting, or deployment strategy.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a detail-oriented mindset.

• Excellent account management and project coordination experience.

• Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Comfortable operating in a fast-moving, high-adaptability environment.

• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and presentation skills.

• Demonstrated intellectual curiosity and a long-term approach to client success.

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience or exposure to DeFi, crypto, or blockchain ecosystems.

• Ability to quickly learn and understand novel financial structures such as on-chain protocols, token economies, and liquidity mechanisms.

Benefits & Perks

• Remote-first — work from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada.

• Competitive salary and incentive-based compensation opportunities.

• 100% paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for employees.

• Laptop, monitor, keyboard, and mouse setup provided.

• $1,000 home office stipend upon joining + monthly internet, phone, and fitness reimbursements.

• Unlimited paid time off and 12 weeks fully paid parental leave.

• Fertility and family-planning benefits.

• Regular company retreats and cross-country “office visit” perks.

The national pay range for this role is $140,000–$175,000, plus additional On-Target Earnings (OTE) potential and equity. Individual compensation is based on experience, skill set, and internal equity relative to peers.