Note: This job description was posted in 2010 by Yahoo when looking to hire a director for the Open Source Program Office. It's shared here to demonstrate some of the job functions and requirements a company might look for in hiring for this role.
Yahoo! builds media, communications, and advertising products that serve more than half a billion people. Open Source software—and internal application of Open Source processes—is critical to our success. We are looking for a passionate, execution-oriented individual with experience in Open Source to help define and drive our Open Source activities.
Essential Job Functions
- Develop and internally evangelize Yahoo!’s Open Source strategy.
- Working closely with legal peers, define and implement policies, processes, and tools that reduce risk and reduce friction.
- Manage and participate in technical due diligence activities, for inbound uses of Open Source software, outbound contributions to Open Source projects, and acquisitions of companies leveraging Open Source and/or Open business models.
- Provide motivation, leadership, and guidance for Yahoo! volunteers who also participate in these due-diligence activities.
- Develop and operationalize our Internal Open Source strategy, the application of Open Source processes to closed-source projects to support company-wide participation in those projects.
- Provide external visibility for Yahoo!’s Open Source efforts, and leadership for Yahoo!’s interactions with Open Source communities.
Years of Experience
- 8/12+ years experience
Position Requirements
- Meaningful participation and visible presence in the Open Source community.
- Familiarity with the legal, social, and technical issues that arise during Open Source development, especially the opportunities and risks posed by integrating open source into proprietary systems.
- Demonstrated ability to get things done, to translate big ideas into productive action.
- Experience guiding decision and action in organizations, and creating efficient processes for others to follow.
- Understanding of how software development is managed in a distributed, multi-platform operating environment at an Internet company.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including a solid public-speaking ability.
- Bachelors Degree or equivalent in Computer Science, advanced-degree preferred.