Director, AI Policy

In A Nutshell Location: Hybrid Washington, DC, USA Salary: $175,000-$215,000 Job Type: Full-time Experience Level: Mid-level Visa Sponsorship: Not Available Deadline to apply: July 11, 2026 Responsible for setting strategy, managing staff, overseeing major grant‑funded projects and working with policymakers. Responsibilities The Director will lead a portfolio that includes, but is not limited to: AI safety and security. Topics could include frontier AI governance, catastrophic and systemic risks, dangerous capability evaluations, model transparency, incident reporting, interpretability, AI‑enabled cyber, bio, nuclear, and other national security risks, and government capacity to manage these issues. Fair and trustworthy AI. Topics could include civil rights, discrimination and bias, public‑sector use, government procurement, explainability and accountability, privacy, labor, environmental impacts, and community‑informed policy development. AI progress in the public interest. Topics could include AI for science, energy innovation, service delivery, government effectiveness, and the design of policy that supports responsible adoption where it can serve the public good. Field building and policy entrepreneurship: fellowships, policy sprints, expert convenings, technical assistance, and programs that help researchers and practitioners turn serious ideas into usable policy. Skillset 10+ years of relevant experience across government, think tanks, philanthropy, civil society, academia, industry, or another policy‑relevant institution, including substantial work on AI, emerging technology, national security, science and technology policy, civil rights, or related issues. Fluency in AI safety and security policy, including catastrophic and systemic risks from advanced AI systems, including experience engaging with frontier model capabilities, dangerous capability evaluations, misuse risk, incident reporting, interpretability, model transparency, and AI‑enabled cyber, bio, nuclear, or other security risks. Expertise in one or more of the following topics: AI safety and security, fair and trustworthy AI, responsible public‑sector use, AI research and development, and uses of AI that can advance the public interest. Excellent writing and editing skills, as demonstrated by a strong research or publication record on AI policy, technology governance, national security, civil rights, science and technology policy, or related topics. Experience managing people and complex projects. Develop and execute multi‑year strategies to expand the reach, impact, and sustainability of AI portfolio across a number of relevant domains. Serve as a senior member of the FAS leadership team, contributing to organization‑wide strategic planning and decision‑making. Set program vision and strategy and oversee its execution across AI safety and security, fair and trustworthy AI, responsible adoption, AI research and development, and AI for public missions. Oversee portfolio budgets, ensuring efficient resource allocation and financial sustainability. Foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture that values innovation within a policy domain, paired with the ability to integrate work across policy teams to maximize impact. Experience cultivating and stewarding support from philanthropic partners focused on AI safety, global catastrophic risks, science and technology policy, fair and trustworthy AI, and/or AI innovation. Strong relationship management skills, including existing and robust professional networks in relevant domains and the ability to build trust with researchers, advocates, funders, policymakers, civil society organizations, industry experts, and colleagues. Experience in government, on Capitol Hill, in a federal agency, or in a state policy role. Experience engaging policymakers, especially Congress, federal agencies, or state governments. Experience briefing senior decision‑makers. Experience convening groups that do not usually work together, especially across technical, policy, civil society, industry, and community‑based organizations. Hands‑on technical experience in AI, machine learning, data science, computer science, or another technical field relevant to AI governance. Advanced degree, such as an MS, JD, MPP/MPA, MBA, or PhD, in a field relevant to AI governance, public policy, computer science, national security, law, social science, or science and technology policy. #J-18808-Ljbffr datadotorg