Senior 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 Senior AI Strategist to join its AI initiatives team within the Growth Office. This senior role is designed for an experienced professional who brings deep expertise in AI strategy, cross-sector partnership development, and external engagement-and who has the judgment and relationships to help AIR establish itself as a credible, independent voice on AI's implications for human development and public systems.


The Senior AI Strategist will lead substantive workstreams, shape external engagement strategy, contribute to thought leadership and eminence building, and play a key role in business development. This role requires someone who can operate at both the strategic and executional levels-setting direction for key initiatives while also producing high-quality deliverables and sustaining meaningful external relationships. The ideal candidate has deep familiarity with at least one sector, established networks across public, private, and philanthropic domains, and the instincts to help AIR navigate a fast-moving AI landscape with credibility and rigor.


This is a time-limited position expected to last 24 months . The selected candidate will work full-time on AIR's AI initiatives, with a focus on advancing partnership development, 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.
About AIR:

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:

Strategic Leadership and Thought Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of key strategic initiatives, including sector-specific evidence generation networks, expert engagement programs, and eminence-building efforts.
• Contribute to the ongoing refinement of AIR's AI strategy, operating model, and value proposition, working closely with the Managing Director of AI and Growth Office leadership.
• Monitor and interpret AI-related developments across policy, technology, and practice, synthesizing insights into strategic recommendations for AIR's leadership and external partners.
• Author or co-author high-quality external thought leadership, including white papers, research briefs, blog posts, and conference presentations that advances AIR's visibility and credibility on AI topics.
• Represent AIR at high-visibility conferences, convenings, and stakeholder engagements related to AI and human development.

Partnership Development and External Engagement

• Build and sustain strategic partnerships with senior leaders in government, philanthropy, academia, and the private sector aligned with AIR's AI priorities, including advancing relationships from initial engagement towards sustained collaboration.
• Lead outreach and cultivation for high-value relationships, including sector experts, advisory board members, and cross-sector collaborators.
• Develop and deliver materials for senior-level external meetings, including concept notes, briefings, and strategic proposals that clearly articulate AIR's value proposition and pathway to collaboration.
• Utilize conferences and convenings to make strategic connections, document insights, and advance mission-aligned partnership opportunities.
• Contribute to the development of tailored engagement strategies across multiple sectors and domains.

Business Development

• Lead or co-lead early-stage opportunity shaping and proposal development for AI-related funding opportunities, including federal, philanthropic, and commercial sources.
• Contribute to the identification, tracking, and pursuit of AI-related business development opportunities, with a focus on securing awards that advance AIR's AI mission.
• Build and share market and client insights that help AIR anticipate funder and partner priorities and position its AI work competitively.
• Mentor and support junior team members in proposal development, partnership outreach, and strategic communications.

Learning and Network Operations

• Support the design and ongoing operation of sector-specific AI evidence generation networks, contributing to convening design, community of practice development, and cross-network learning.
• Translate AI-related developments and partner insights into practical tools, frameworks, and guidance for practitioners, policymakers, and sector leaders.
• Facilitate senior-level meetings, workshops, and communities of practice with leaders across relevant sectors and domains.
• Contribute to building shared learning infrastructure that helps the team and its partners stay current and connected across AIR's AI work.

Qualifications:

Education, Knowledge, and Experience

• Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree with a minimum of 9 years; or Ph.D. with a minimum of 5 years of experience in social sciences, public policy, education, technology, or a related field.
• Deep substantive knowledge of AI and its implications for at least one of the following domains: education, workforce, health, or technology policy.
• Experience successfully developing and executing cross-sector partnerships spanning public policy, philanthropy, private sector, and/or social science research communities, including moving relationships from exploratory conversations to formalized collaboration.
• Prior experience in a mission-driven, nonprofit, philanthropic, or academic setting, with demonstrated ability to cultivate the right action for aligning social change to opportunity.
• Experience leading projects or teams, including managing scope, timelines, and junior staff.
• Established networks in at least one relevant field and a demonstrated ability to credibility represent an organization, build trust, and cultivate relationships on its behalf.
• Experience contributing to or leading business development efforts, including early-stage opportunity shaping, positioning, and proposal development in partnership with senior leaders

Skills

• Strong ability to translate data, research, and technical AI concepts into actionable guidance for diverse audiences, including senior government leaders, practitioners, and funders.
• Excellent facilitation and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to engage, influence, and build rapport with senior leaders and cross-sector stakeholders.
• 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.
• Ability to confidently engage senior leaders in strategic, solution-oriented conversations that advance both mission impact and organizational growth.
• Strong project management, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills, including sound judgment about how and when to advance ideas, initiatives, or opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct proactive business development by building and sustaining relationships, translating organizational strengths into compelling external narratives, sharing market and client insights, and actively supporting early-stage shaping and positioning efforts that result in additional work.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating closely with program leadership and project teams.
• 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.


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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

$150,000-$185,000 USD