Product Manager; Research Consultant

XPRIZE Overview

XPRIZE is an established global leader in designing and executing large-scale competitions to solve humanity’s greatest challenges. As a 501(c)3, our unique model democratizes innovation by incentivizing crowd‑sourced, scientifically viable solutions to create a more equitable and abundant future for all. Since our founding in 1994, we’ve launched $519 million in prize competitions that are driving more than $31 billion in social and economic impact — a 60x return on philanthropic investment.

These competitions not only de‑risk early‑stage breakthrough ideas but also mobilize capital, talent, and momentum to accelerate solutions from concept to real‑world scale.

We operate across 5 areas of impact, including:

• Deep Tech + Exploration
• Energy + Climate + Nature
• Food + Water + Waste
• Health
• Learning + Society

Join XPRIZE to help create meaningful impact as we strive to empower humanity to achieve breakthroughs and architect a more equitable and abundant future for all.

XPRIZE is seeking a Product Manager (Research) Consultant to lead the development of designs for bold, high‑impact global incentive competitions that accelerate innovation for the benefit of humanity. This role functions as a product manager for the execution of Prize Design projects, blending deep research, analytical reasoning, design thinking, and communication skills to develop competition designs that target critical breakthroughs that will usher in an equitable and abundant future.

This is a six‑month contract position with the potential for full‑time employment upon successful completion of the term.

The Product Manager (Research) Consultant leads end‑to‑end design efforts—from initial ideation through delivery of the final design report—ensuring each concept is well‑researched, feasible, fundable, and positioned for success. They steward every phase of research and prize development: defining the problem, identifying the most effective prize direction, outlining competition criteria, establishing phases and milestones, and developing budgets that span the full lifecycle of the prize.

Reporting to the Prize Design Director and working in close collaboration with a Project Manager, Domain Leads, Advancement, and cross‑functional teams across finance, marketing, and operations, the Prize Designers ensure every design is both visionary and operationally sound. The role also involves regular engagement with external sponsors and subject matter experts to align technical rigor and strategic impact.

The Product Manager (Research) Consultant also serves as a steward of XPRIZE’s design methodology—refining internal processes, capturing lessons learned, and representing the organization’s approach through thought leadership, workshops, and publications. In addition to managing prize design projects, this consultant will contribute to broader organizational initiatives such as Global Visioneering and other ideation activities that identify future XPRIZE opportunities.

The successful candidate will possess a proven track record of leadership, versatility, and creative thinking. XPRIZE is seeking candidates who have a passion for making a positive and impactful difference in the lives of people around the world.

• Lead the end‑to‑end design and development of XPRIZE competitions—from framing the problem and defining success metrics to conducting research, engaging stakeholders, shaping the prize model, and producing final design documentation.
• Develop project plans, budgets, and timelines, coordinating with the Project Manager to ensure deliverables meet deadlines and quality standards.
• Work closely with internal teams and collaborators, ensuring connectivity and alignment with Domain Leads, leadership, and Advancement on strategy, content, and positioning. Work with cross‑functional teams (e.g., Finance, Marketing, Operations) to incorporate operational, financial, and communications inputs into the prize model and documentation.
• Identify and engage external experts and stakeholders, including designing and facilitating workshops, interviews, and other participatory research to inform design…