Head of Digital Asset Operating Platform – Blockchain-Enabled Operations job at Chicago, IL, United States of America Full Time

The Role
We are seeking a visionary executive leader to architect, build, and scale the operating platform that will power the future of digital asset investments and on-chain finance – spanning tokenized funds and financial assets, digital asset portfolios, on-chain investments and financial activities, and blockchain-native financial products.

This role will lead the design and implementation and ongoing operation of the end-to-end infrastructure for the digital assets fund and portfolio investment services ecosystem, including accounting and valuation, portfolio and fund administration, and transfer agency, integrating blockchain infrastructure with institutional-grade controls, data architecture, and governance across both on-chain and off-chain environments.

The successful candidate will combine deep operational expertise in traditional investment accounting and fund and portfolio administration and transfer agency with hands-on experience building blockchain and on-chain financial infrastructure. This candidate will also have a proven ability to lead organizations through complex, multi-stakeholder change.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Platform Architecture

• Define and execute the multi-year strategic roadmap for the digital asset operating platform – integrating fund administration and transfer agent, and portfolio-accounting functions with blockchain-based systems.

• Architect the core infrastructure stack for digital asset investments, tokenized funds and financial assets – including modules for on-chain accounting, valuation, NAV calculation, fund administration, and transfer-agency services.

• Design core ledger, data, and oracle frameworks that reconcile off-chain financial records with on-chain smart-contract and blockchain data.

• Establish the technical and operational foundations for on-chain accounting, NAV calculation, investor servicing, and settlement.

Organizational Design & Leadership

• Build and lead multidisciplinary teams across operations, product, technology, accounting, data management, risk, and compliance to deliver the platform vision.

• Design and implement organizational and governance structures and operating charters appropriate for digital asset and on-chain financial environments.

• Recruit and mentor talent across finance, blockchain, and operations disciplines, fostering a culture of innovation, control, and accountability.

• Implement decision-making frameworks and escalation paths that enable agility while maintaining strong institutional governance.

Governance and Controls, Technology, Infrastructure & Integration

• Lead design and implementation of on-chain fund-accounting and investor-record systems, integrated with enterprise data and record-keeping standards, fund-administration and transfer agent platforms.

• Oversee development of accounting and Back Office administration infrastructure supporting digital asset trading, custody, staking, and yield activities.

• Define policies for smart-contract deployment, private-key management, cyber resilience, and operational continuity.

• Ensure audit readiness and regulatory compliance aligned with applicable regulatory agencies and authorities, including SEC, CFTC and equivalent global standards.

• Establish data-governance, reporting, and control frameworks to ensure transparency, accuracy, and traceability across funds and portfolios.

• Champion tokenization frameworks for different asset classes and product structures, including money-market funds, private credit, private equity, ETFs, and structured finance, and interoperability across blockchains.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Operate effectively within a large, matrixed organization, aligning functions across technology, operations, investment management, finance, risk, and compliance.

• Navigate consensus-oriented cultures, build credibility, and drive alignment among multiple senior stakeholders and governance bodies.

• Communicate with clarity across executive committees, board forums, and regulatory stakeholders to secure buy-in for digital-asset platform and product initiatives.

• Serve as the internal bridge between traditional and blockchain-native teams, ensuring integrated business design and operational discipline.

Industry & Ecosystem Engagement

• Represent the firm in industry and regulatory working groups, shaping standards for tokenized fund and digital asset operations.

• Establish strategic partnerships with custodians, administrators, oracle providers, and blockchain infrastructure firms.

• Provide thought leadership on the future of on-chain fund services, digital-asset governance, and tokenized capital markets.

Qualifications
Professional Experience

• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in asset management, fund administration, or financial-operations roles, including at least 5 years in digital-asset, cryptocurrency, or blockchain-based finance.

• Proven record of designing and implementing large-scale operating platforms supporting both traditional and digital assets.

• Direct experience building and scaling teams and organizations, including defining structure, roles, processes, and performance governance.

• Demonstrated success working across large, matrixed organizations with multiple senior stakeholders in a consensus-driven culture, achieving alignment and results.

• Deep expertise in fund accounting, valuation, investor servicing, and transfer agency for traditional investment products.

• Proven track record building infrastructure for cryptocurrency investment operations, including wallet management, custody, settlement, and on-chain reconciliation.

Technical & Strategic Competencies

• Strong understanding of blockchain architecture, smart-contract design, tokenization standards, and interoperability protocols.

• Familiarity with DeFi primitives (staking, liquidity pools, lending protocols) and their integration into institutional frameworks.

• Expertise in designing data architecture, reconciliation, and control frameworks.

• Proven ability to translate strategic vision into executable programs through structured governance, roadmap execution, and stakeholder management.

Leadership Attributes

• Visionary yet pragmatic leader who combines strategic insight with operational execution.

• Exceptional communicator capable of aligning diverse senior stakeholders around a common mission.

• Deep curiosity about how blockchain transforms investment operations and a disciplined approach to risk and compliance.

• Strong sense of ownership and commitment to building institutional infrastructure for the next generation of finance.

The base salary range for this position is $185,000-$400,000 per year.

Placement in the range will vary based on job responsibilities and scope, geographic location, candidate’s relevant experience, and other factors.

Base salary is only part of the total compensation package. Depending on the position and eligibility requirements, the offer package may also include bonus or other variable compensation.

We offer a wide range of benefits to meet your evolving needs and help you live your best life at work and at home. These benefits include comprehensive health care coverage and emotional well-being support, market-leading retirement, generous paid time off and parental leave, charitable giving employee match program, and educational assistance including student loan repayment, tuition reimbursement, and learning resources to develop your career. Note, the application window closes when the position is filled or unposted.

Please be advised that Fidelity’s business is governed by the provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Investment Company Act of 1940, ERISA, numerous state laws governing securities, investment and retirement-related financial activities and the rules and regulations of numerous self-regulatory organizations, including FINRA, among others. Those laws and regulations may restrict Fidelity from hiring and/or associating with individuals with certain Criminal Histories.

Certifications: Category: Investment Operations