Program Manager, Real-World Asset Tokenization (Higher Ed Ventures) – Sample Job Description
For Tier 1 universities exploring the frontier of financial innovation, the intersection of blockchain and real-world assets (RWAs) presents transformative opportunities. Excelon Associates is proud to partner with a leading research institution to identify a Program Manager, Real-World Asset Tokenization (Higher Ed Ventures) – a strategic role designed to bridge academia, finance, and decentralized technology.
This position will play a critical role in guiding the university’s exploration and implementation of RWA tokenization initiatives. From endowment-linked financial products to tokenized intellectual property and on-chain real estate models, the Program Manager will collaborate across finance, research, and technology divisions to design frameworks that bring institutional assets securely and transparently on-chain.
The ideal candidate combines fluency in blockchain infrastructure, smart contract development, and tokenomics with a deep appreciation for higher education’s mission. They will liaise with legal, compliance, and treasury teams to ensure all tokenization pilots align with regulatory guidance and institutional governance, while also fostering strategic partnerships with leading blockchain networks, oracle providers, and fintech partners. This is a cross-functional leadership role that demands intellectual curiosity, operational rigor, and a visionary mindset.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and execute tokenization strategies for university-managed assets, including research IP, endowment funds, and facilities.
- Collaborate with legal, finance, and research teams to establish compliant frameworks for asset digitization and decentralized recordkeeping.
- Partner with blockchain service providers, oracles, and regulatory advisors to ensure interoperability and data integrity.
- Lead stakeholder engagement sessions to align campus leadership, faculty, and external partners on tokenization objectives and impact.
- Oversee pilot programs that explore new financial instruments, including on-chain royalties, fractional ownership models, and tokenized research funding.
- Develop business models and ROI analyses for on-chain initiatives, translating technical outcomes into institutional value.
- Track emerging trends in RWA tokenization, decentralized finance (DeFi), and institutional adoption of blockchain to inform strategic planning.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, Blockchain Management, Information Systems, or a related field (Ph.D. preferred).
- 7+ years of experience in digital asset strategy, blockchain implementation, or fintech program management, ideally within large, complex institutions.
- Demonstrated knowledge of smart contracts, decentralized infrastructure, and tokenization frameworks for physical or intellectual assets.
- Proven ability to navigate regulatory landscapes, including SEC, FINRA, and higher education compliance considerations.
- Strong understanding of university operations, technology transfer, and endowment management practices.
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience building alignment across cross-functional academic and administrative teams.
- Strategic thinker capable of translating complex blockchain technologies into accessible institutional models and value propositions.
- Experience partnering with blockchain networks (e.g., Chainlink, Polygon, Avalanche), research consortia, or fintech accelerators preferred.
Why This Role Matters
As universities face increasing pressure to diversify revenue streams and modernize their financial operations, blockchain-enabled tokenization offers a new paradigm for capital efficiency, transparency, and innovation. This role serves as a catalyst for bridging traditional institutional finance with decentralized infrastructure, positioning the university as a global thought leader in the tokenized economy.
The Program Manager, Real-World Asset Tokenization will not only architect pilots but define the blueprint for how higher education institutions can securely leverage blockchain to unlock liquidity from their intellectual property, real estate, and research portfolios. By connecting legacy systems with emerging decentralized networks, this leader will help the university transform its assets into programmable, interoperable resources — setting the standard for next-generation institutional innovation.
