Junior AI Strategist

Junior AI Strategist

AIR's AI portfolio of work generates evidence, convenes and connects leaders across sectors, and translates research into practical guidance and capacity building. Key initiatives include the AI Century Study (a 100-year national longitudinal cohort study tracking how AI shapes human development), sector-specific AI evidence generation networks, strategic partnerships, and thought leadership. AIR seeks a Junior AI Strategist to join its AI initiatives team. This is an early-career role designed for someone who brings intellectual curiosity, strong communication skills, and a genuine interest in how AI is reshaping social systems and institutions. The primary focus of this role is supporting early-stage market scanning, partnership outreach, communications, and the day-to-day coordination of AIR's AI initiatives, including sector-specific evidence networks and the AI Century Study.

This role is a great fit for someone early in their career who wants to build skills at the intersection of strategy, external engagement, and applied AI work in a mission-driven environment. The Junior AI Strategist will work closely with senior team members and grow into increasing responsibility across partnership development, thought leadership, and market analysis.

This is a time-limited position expected to last 24 months. The selected candidate will work full-time on AIR's AI initiatives, supporting market scanning, partner outreach, and business development activities, with potential for extension at AIR's discretion and continued business need.

This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of AIR's U.S. office locations. This does not include U.S. territories.

Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.

Responsibilities:

The responsibilities for the position include:

• Support relationship building with external partners, collaborators, and sector experts aligned with AIR's AI priorities.
• Prepare materials for external meetings and convenings, including briefings, agendas, and follow-up documentation.
• Support outreach to potential partners, collaborators, and funders across public, private, philanthropic, and academic sectors.
• Track relationship progress and follow-up activities to support consistent external engagement across the team.

• Draft and edit external-facing materials, including concept notes, blog posts, social media content, and briefings tied to AIR's AI work.
• Support the development and execution of AIR's AI communications plan.
• Contribute to the preparation of proposals and supporting materials for AI-related business development opportunities by assembling background research, market insights, and partner-relevant content.

• Monitor AI policy, technology, and market developments across social sectors and translate findings into clear briefing materials and summaries for internal and external audiences to inform outreach, positioning, and proposal development efforts.
• Conduct landscape scans and background research to help the team stay current on the AI ecosystem, including key players, funding trends, and emerging use cases with an eye towards identifying potential partners and areas for growth.
• Synthesize partner input and market signals into actionable takeaways for the team and flag potential opportunities for follow-on engagement.

• Coordinate logistics and preparation for team meetings, workshops, and external convenings.
• Support cross-team alignment by tracking workstreams, maintaining shared documentation, and flagging emerging priorities or dependencies.
• Assist with operational systems that support business development tracking and proposal management and ensure relevant market and partner data are up to date and accessible.

Qualifications:

Education, Knowledge, and Experience

• Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in social sciences, public policy, education, technology, communications, or a related field.
• Demonstrated interest in AI and its implications for social systems, human development, or public policy.
• Experience supporting projects or initiatives that involve coordination across multiple teams, stakeholders, or workstreams.
• Exposure to or interest in market analysis, partnership development, or business development processes.

Skills

• Ability to synthesize complex or technical information and translate it into clear, accessible insights to support decision-making, external positioning, or proposal development.
• Proficiency using AI tools to synthesize information, draft content, analyze data, or improve efficiency in day-to-day work.
• Ability to apply sound judgment when interpreting AI-generated outputs.
• Strong organizational skills and comfort managing multiple priorities in an evolving environment.
• Effective communicator, with experience producing clear materials for diverse audiences.
• Ability to gather and organize market, partner, and competitive information to support team priorities and external engagement efforts
• Ability to work collaboratively across roles, functions, and levels of seniority.
• Commitment to AIR's mission of generating evidence and applying data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.

Disclosures: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law, including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braid, locks, and twists), creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition (e.g., cancer), sex, gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, civil union status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, genetic information, or military or veteran status. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at View email address on click.appcast.io or call View phone number on click.appcast.io.

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AIR's Total Rewards Program, is designed to reward our staff competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission. This position offers the anticipated annual salary as listed. Salary offers are made based on internal equity within the institution and external equity with competitive markets. Please note this is the annual salary range for candidates that are based in the United States.

Anticipated Annual Salary Range

$90,000 - $110,000 USD