Prize Design 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.

Position Description

XPRIZE is seeking a Prize Design (PD) 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 Prize Designer 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 Prize Designer 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, Prize Designers 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.

Responsibilities:

• 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 & Engage external experts and stakeholders, including designing and facilitating workshops, interviews, and other participatory research to inform design choices.
• Facilitate productive relationships with sponsors, providing clear communication, updates, and deliverables that align with sponsor goals and XPRIZE’s standards
• Contribute to organization-wide ideation and concept development initiatives, such as Global Visioneering and prize idea workshops 
• Maintain and continuously improve XPRIZE’s prize design methodology by staying fluent in current processes and documentation, capturing lessons learned from past and active designs, and updating tools and practices to enhance future projects.
• Serve as a resource and source of information on XPRIZE prize design process within the organization including to help  educate organization staff and to keep core documentation updated.
• Elevate XPRIZE’s prize design process externally through presentations, publications, website content, and thought leadership that showcase our methodology and impact.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field required; Master’s degree preferred. Candidates with exceptional analytical and research experience in related disciplines may also be considered.
• Experience applying research, analytical, and creative problem-solving skills in fields such as engineering, physical or life sciences, data science, economics, technology-driven research, or other domains that combine rigor with innovation; experience in business strategy or public policy is a plus.
• 5-7 years of product management, product design, project management, consulting or other relevant experience.
• Mastery of critical product management skills; including budget management, contractual compliance, client relations, and project design, execution, evaluation, and delivery.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrates excellent analytical and product design skills.
• Experience in design and design thinking, including problem definition, drilling down into specific sub-problems, identifying the right problem to solve, and combining creative and analytical techniques to identify possible design elements.
• Demonstrates competency and grasp of the subject matter when communicating with experts and external stakeholders, both orally and in writing.
• Ensures deliverables use the appropriate writing style and standards, and communication style based on understanding of the audiences.
• Fosters and demonstrates a work ethic inclusive of creating opportunity, serving others, building trust, innovation, and exceeding expectations.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment within diverse teams.
• Ability to effectively coordinate and manage multiple, concurrent projects.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Excellent presentation skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills with the ability to exercise mature judgment.
• Ability to prioritize tasks to ensure timely execution of project deliverables.
• Microsoft Office and Google Suite knowledge and expertise.
• Familiarity with research and data-gathering platforms (e.g., Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus) and experience conducting literature reviews and managing references using tools such as Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote.
• Comfort learning and adapting to new productivity, research, and collaboration tools to support evolving project needs.

Competencies required for this role:

• Action Oriented 
• Manages Ambiguity 
• Collaborates internally and externally 
• Communicates effectively and professionally 
• Manages Complexity 
• Directs Work 
• Global Perspective 
• Nimble Learning 
• Plans and Aligns 
• Builds Networks 
• Drives Results 
• Situational Adaptability 
• Fosters Collaboration
• Drives Vision and Purpose

This position is being offered as a six-month consulting assignment, with the potential for transition to regular full-time employment upon successful completion of the initial term and contingent upon organizational needs. During the consulting term, the compensation will be up to $11,500/month and the individual will not be eligible to participate in XPRIZE’s employee benefits program or receive paid time off for vacation, sick leave, or holidays. Should the consulting assignment transition into a regular full-time position, eligibility for benefits—including comprehensive health coverage and paid time off—will begin in accordance with XPRIZE’s standard employment policies.

The actual compensation offered will depend on a variety of factors, including the individual’s qualifications, years of relevant experience, level of education, and any certifications or licenses held. XPRIZE operates as a remote-first organization.

The XPRIZE Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination in all employment practices. Equal access to employment, services, and programs is available to all qualified individuals. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process should notify a representative of the organization.

Please note: Though submitting a resume to the XPRIZE FOUNDATION implies that you are interested in a position(s), it does not imply that you are an applicant. You are not considered an applicant until you have been contacted directly by a Talent Acquisitions representative requesting that you begin the designated application process, which may involve phone and/or in-person interview(s), job-related testing, and background checks.