Innovation Blockchain Manager

About the role

As an Innovation Blockchain Manager, you will drive the firm's engagement with blockchain and digital assets. This includes researching and developing blockchain applications for RSM and its clients, interacting with startups in the blockchain space to gather insights, and creating thought leadership content. You will also be responsible for deploying and testing new blockchain solutions, evaluating their performance, and identifying any anomalies.

A key part of this role involves client management, where you will define business objectives with internal stakeholders and develop strategies to meet client needs within budget and timelines. You will also manage project execution, from kickoffs to overseeing vendor work throughout the research lifecycle. This position requires someone who can translate client needs into actionable business objectives and recommend suitable blockchain and digital asset solutions.

Beyond direct client work, you will be instrumental in institutionalizing blockchain and digital asset knowledge within RSM. This means developing and executing an educational strategy to upskill executives and team members across the firm. Success in this role requires strong analytical and project management skills, the ability to work with executive-level audiences, and a proactive approach to identifying and addressing business issues with innovative solutions.

The annual salary for this position ranges from $120,000 to $205,200.

Skills that matter here

• blockchain: This role is centered on researching, designing, developing, and deploying blockchain technology applications for the firm and its clients.
• digital assets: You will need deep knowledge of digital assets and cryptocurrencies to gain insights and educate others on their strategic implications.
• project-management: The role requires managing related project execution and development, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.
• emerging technology consulting: Seven years of experience in this field is required to effectively identify client needs and propose innovative solutions.
• financial services: Work experience in blockchain and digital technologies within the financial services sector is preferred for understanding client contexts.
• CPA designation: This certification is a requirement for the role, indicating a need for a strong financial background in this innovation-focused position.

Who this role suits

• You have a background in emerging technology consulting, particularly within financial services.
• You are proactive, self-directed, and comfortable working with a degree of ambiguity.
• You excel at translating complex technical concepts into clear business objectives and educational content.
• You possess strong analytical and communication skills, enabling you to influence stakeholders and manage client expectations effectively.

From the employer

Essential Duties

Client Management

• Working with internal shareholders to define business objectives and developing strategies and solutions to address needs within time and budget parameters.
• Ongoing communication with clients regarding all aspects of the engagements.

Exploration, Development and Analysis

• Research, design and develop blockchain technology applications for RSM and our clients.
• Interact with startups and other companies within the blockchain and digital asset landscape in order to gain insights and deliver those findings/experiences to a broader audience.
• Stakeholder Needs Analysis Interviews.
• Development of thought leadership and other vehicles for articulating findings.
• Drives deployment and testing of new blockchain applications, evaluates performance and detects anomalies in solutions.

Project Management

• Managing related project execution and development, on time/on budget.
• Conducting kickoffs, either alone or in collaboration with broader team members.

Partner and Vendor Management

• Securing vendor proposals consistent with specifications. Managing and overseeing vendor work throughout the research lifecycle – from questionnaire development and fieldwork through results analysis and presentation.

Institutionalizing Blockchain and Digital Asset Knowledge

• Responsible for the development and execution of an educational strategy to upskill critical executives, leaders and team members across the firm.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS

• Bachelors degree or equivalent.
• At least 7 years of related work experience.
• CPA designation.

Technical/Soft Skills

• Able to define client information needs.
• Can identify and translate client needs into business objectives, with minimal supervision.
• Can recommend, with supervision, alternative blockchain and digital asset solutions and data resources, including critical steps and implications associated with alternatives.
• Writes effective proposals with minimal supervision.
• Can develop and relate conclusions drawn from the data to client objectives, with some supervision, and identify business implications.
• Ability to prioritize and effectively manage multiple projects.
• Ability to quickly review, assess, and gain understanding of emerging technologies.
• Deep knowledge of digital assets and cryptocurrencies.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office business tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Access) and SPSS or equivalent.
• Has conducted multiple client consultations, identifying core business issues and presenting alternative blockchain and digital asset solutions (preferred).
• Advocates best approach, identifying and discussing the benefits, drawbacks & implications of alternatives (preferred).
• Independently integrates and interprets collected data and presents analysis and recommendations to multiple clients (preferred).
• Monitors effectiveness of previous recommendations; notes lessons learned (preferred).
• Understanding of technology and tools such as blockchain, data analytics, machine learning, A.I., and RPA (preferred).
• Work experience in blockchain and digital technologies in the area of financial services (preferred).
• Work in product development or emerging technology firm (preferred).
• Familiarity with professional services and/or financial services industries a plus (preferred).

Experience

• A minimum of seven years of experience in emerging technology consulting.
• Strong conceptual, analytical, and project-management skills.
• Extensive experience and expertise in quantitative and qualitative marketing research methods, tools, and techniques.
• Ability to work with executive level audiences to identify, define and translate business issues into effective solutions and methods; to develop objectives-driven analyses; and to deliver meaningful, action-oriented insights to an organization.
• Strong consulting and communications skills (i.e., written, interpersonal, presentation, and storytelling skills).
• Strong business acumen and ability to consolidate and relate research findings (sometimes from disparate sources) to business issues and strategies.
• Work experience in blockchain and digital technologies in the area of financial services (preferred).
• Work in product development or emerging technology firm (preferred).
• Familiarity with professional services and/or financial services industries (preferred).

Leadership Skills

• Ability to influence without authority.
• Must be a proactive, self-starter; collaborative, inquisitive, detail-oriented, and be highly organized.
• Able to work independently, autonomously, and self-directed.
• Tolerance for ambiguity.
• Able to direct a small working team of researchers.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits and compensation package.
• Flexibility in your schedule, empowering you to balance life’s demands while serving clients.
• Eligible for a discretionary bonus based on firm and individual performance.