Project Lead / CEO / Entrepreneur in Residence / Startup Lead

Learn more here: https://www.openlunar.org/blog/regprld

The Role: Lead the Lunar Registry

We’re hiring a Project Lead / CEO / EIR / Startup Lead to transform three years of problem-solution fit & validation into product-market fit and build a self-sustaining venture within our “venture studio” framework. 

Open Lunar will provide guidance and operational support but you will own the day-to-day responsibilities that move the registry from concept to widespread adoption.

Role Overview

• Title: Project Lead (with CEO-level responsibilities)

• Type: Full-time contract (40 hrs/week) from March–December 2025

• Compensation: starting at 70k-90k USD, with room to increase based on fundraising

• Benefits: Paid time off, sick leave, remote-friendly flexible work environment, project-sponsored travel

• Support: Access to Open Lunar’s staff, expert network, design/technical resources, and pre-qualified user/customer leads of over 100 stakeholders

Open Lunar is incubating this project in-house until further notice. If there is a readiness to spin this into its own institution, we will discuss that in late 2025. For now, this will not have its own legal entity until evidence of product-market fit is secured that enables a path to sustainability. There could be future incentives for this CEO-like role to have equity etc in the future, however, right now this is not part of compensation. 

Responsibilities

1. Define Strategy & Product Vision

   • Take our existing research and stakeholder feedback and develop a clear roadmap for the Lunar Registry.

2. Oversee Product Development

   • Deliver a working Version 1 of the registry’s software platform and database within 4–6 months.

   • Collaborate with design, engineering, and external partners to implement secure, scalable features, like interactive Moon maps and APIs.

3. Engage the Community

   • Establish relationships with government agencies, private companies, and researchers.

   • Organize feedback sessions, incorporate user input, and integrate insights into the product.

4. Lead Go-to-Market & Fundraising

   • Develop partnerships with enterprise clients and philanthropic funders.

   • Craft and execute a funding strategy from grants, donations, and commercial revenue.

5. Manage Operations & Team

   • Guide a small cross-functional group, including engineering and outreach.

   • Track budgets, key performance indicators, and overall progress.

6. Align with Broader Lunar Governance

   • Stay informed on international treaties and best practices.

   • Encourage open standards and data-sharing principles that promote safe, collaborative lunar exploration.

Qualifications

• Enterprise Sales: Experience in long-cycle, multi-stakeholder B2B or enterprise SaaS deals.

• Entrepreneurship / Startup Experience: Leadership within at least one tech startup, ideally in the new space sector.

• Business Development & Fundraising: Skilled in crafting value propositions, forging partnerships, and raising funds.

• Product/Project Management: Working with software developers and managing user-driven product iteration.

• Community Building: Experience bringing together stakeholders and integrating user feedback.

• Preferred:

  • Existing space industry network or insight into government processes.

  • Data analytics or experience building databases for public or commercial use.