Fractional CMO (Deep Tech/ Open-Source/ AI Infrastructure) - Part-time - Worldwide

Company Overview

Axior is building a deterministic protocol layer for Large Language Models, designed to sit between human intent and model execution. Unlike applications or SaaS products, Axior is a foundational technical protocol that enables enterprises, developers, and platforms to build reliable, production-grade systems on top of LLMs without hallucinations or non-deterministic behavior.

The company is founded by experienced operators with prior large-scale exits and is currently preparing for beta launch, open-source release, and ecosystem partnerships.

Role Overview

Axior is seeking a Fractional CMO to own and shape the go-to-market strategy from pre-launch through early traction and ecosystem adoption.

The ideal candidate is a builder - someone who can think holistically at the protocol and ecosystem level, while also driving execution in the early stages.

You will work closely with the founders (primarily the CEO, with close collaboration with the CTO) to design, validate, and execute a GTM strategy that spans open source, developer adoption, partnerships,enterprise credibility, and long-term platform positioning.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership

• Own the end-to-end go-to-market strategy for a protocol-level AI infrastructure product.
• Define Axior’s positioning clearly as a protocol (not an app, SaaS, or tool) across all messaging.
• Design distribution strategies across: Open-source adoption, Developer ecosystems, LLM platform partnerships, and potentially Enterprise and institutional credibility
• Challenge, validate, and refine existing founder hypotheses and playbooks.

2. Open-Source & Developer Ecosystem

• Design and lead the open-source launch strategy (e.g., GitHub, MIT license, community building).
• Define what “success” looks like for open-source traction (e.g., stars, forks, contributors, integrations).
• Shape the structure and narrative of open-source documentation, repositories, and developer-facing content.
• Plan and execute initiatives such as hackathons, beta programs, and early adopter engagement.

3. Partnerships & Ecosystem Development

• Support and shape strategic partnerships with LLM providers and ecosystem players.
• Understand how LLM organizations think, operate, and evaluate partnerships (technical, strategic, and commercial).
• Help position Axior as a win-win infrastructure layer for model providers, platforms, and developers.

4. Execution & Team Building

• Establish processes, priorities, and success metrics for the marketing function.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Required Experience

• Former or current CMO / Head of Marketing at a deep-tech, infrastructure, or developer-focused company.
• Proven experience leading go-to-market for open-source software, protocols, or developer platforms.
• Strong technical fluency - comfortable working closely with engineers and understanding complex systems.
• Experience operating in early-stage or zero-to-one environments.

Strongly Preferred

• Experience working with or around LLMs, AI infrastructure, or developer tooling ecosystems.
• Direct or indirect exposure to partnerships with large technology platforms.
• Understanding of how open-source distribution differs fundamentally from traditional SaaS marketing.

Personal Attributes

• Builder mindset with a strong ownership mentality.
• Curious, ambitious, and hungry - motivated by building something foundational and long-term.
• Comfortable operating with ambiguity, complexity, and a very high bar.

What This Role Is Not

• Not a short-term consulting engagement.
• Not a brand-only or demand-gen-only role.
• Not a traditional SaaS marketing position.
• Not suitable for candidates without deep technical curiosity or open-source familiarity.