Director of Policy - Americans for Responsible Innovation

Overview

Americans for Responsible Innovation (ARI) is seeking Directors of Policy to join our growing organization. Policy Directors are core members of the ARI Policy Team who hold primary responsibility for developing ARI’s policy agenda within specific issue areas related to artificial intelligence policy (see below) and conduct a wide range of activities related to policy research, analysis and development. 

We aim to bring on Policy Directors in the following specific focus areas:

• National security
• Misalignment and catastrophic risks
• Democracy, society, and civil rights
• Economy, workforce, and competition
• Energy and climate
• Healthcare and biology
• Geopolitics and international affairs

About Us

ARI is a nonprofit organization advocating for artificial intelligence policy in the public interest. We believe in establishing a thoughtful governance framework for rapidly advancing AI technology that protects the public from harm while continuing to foster innovation. ARI takes a bipartisan approach, building coalitions across the political spectrum. 

About the Role

Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Policy, each Director of Policy is responsible for leading a broad scope of research and analysis for a specific set of issue areas, supporting the Senior Vice President in the development and execution of ARI’s policy strategy, and generating original research. The Director will also frequently serve as a policy expert and advisor to policymakers who engage ARI to seek policy guidance and feedback.

ARI’s Policy team is responsible for policy research, analysis, and development and performs several key activities: 

1. Original research and analysis to inform policy development and dialogue.
2. Policy development by drafting policy proposals and providing feedback to policymakers and other stakeholders.
3. Curation and assessment of research and proposals from think tanks to elevate the best ideas to policymakers.
4. Non-partisan educational programming for policymakers.

The Policy team is led by the Vice President of Policy and expects to grow to 7+ Policy Analysts and Directors throughout 2025. We are planning to hire across three levels: Associate Director, Director, and Senior Director. The specific title (Associate Director, Director, or Senior Director) and compensation will be determined based on the qualifications and experience of each candidate. We will discuss the specific role envisioned early into the hiring process with each candidate, but expect most candidates to be hired at the Director or Senior Director levels.

Our Ideal Candidate

We’re looking for someone who: 

• Has clear expertise in AI and/or technology policy.
• Has demonstrated ability to work effectively with a range of experts and stakeholders across the political spectrum.
• Has extensive experience producing original research and analysis.
• Has understanding of past and current national AI policy dialogue including knowledge of proposed and existing AI legislation, executive orders/policies, and original research and policy proposals from across industry, academia, and think tanks.
• Has experience working in or with the Federal government, especially the executive branch.
• Is interested in working in a dynamic startup environment and is excited to help build a new organization.
• Has humility, recognizing that they do not have all the answers, and is excited to work with numerous collaborators.

Key Responsibilities

Current responsibilities and expectations include, but are not limited to:

• Support development and execution of ARI’s AI policy strategy.
• Propose and lead research projects with clear timelines and deliverables.
• Write whitepapers, blog posts, op-eds, and other content to share analyses and policy recommendations.
• Conduct independent research and analysis to inform, recommend, and advance policy priorities.
• Closely monitor and assess proposed legislation, executive branch actions, and other policies within a given policy area to remain informed of all relevant AI developments.
• Brief and update ARI colleagues on major developments within policy issue areas of focus.
• Collaborate with other ARI teams including Government Affairs, Communications, and Operations to support broader organizational strategy and goals.
• Represent the organization in meetings with policymakers and other important stakeholders including leaders from industry, academia, and civil society.
• Develop and lead policy briefings for policymakers and other key stakeholders.
• Serve as an expert for policymakers and other stakeholders on AI policy.
• Draft legislative proposals and provide feedback on legislative proposals by others.
• Keep up to date on key AI developments including advancements in industry, research in academia, and reports and proposals from other think tanks.

Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years in technology policy, including 1+ years focused on AI/emerging technology
• Demonstrated expertise and understanding of AI technology and policy; or significant expertise in technology governance with strong interest in AI
• Demonstrated ability to independently own and manage research projects
• Experience and comfort engaging with government officials and staff
• Demonstrated ability and commitment to working across partisan lines and ideologies
• Superior research and analysis skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated collaborative mindset
• Strong interest in mentoring and coaching Policy Analysts

Preferred

• Advanced degree in relevant field (e.g., computer science, public policy, law, economics, etc.)
• Experience working in government
• Technical knowledge/background in AI or computer science
• Record of publications on AI or technology policy
• Existing relationships with key AI or technology policy stakeholders

Compensation, Benefits, and Location

This is a full time position based in Washington, DC. Relocation assistance may be available. ARI maintains a flexible hybrid work schedule (working in-person Tuesday-Thursday and remote on Monday and Friday).

The salary range for this role is $130,000 - $230,000 commensurate with experience. 

Currently, ARI offers the following benefits:

• Healthcare insurance - 85% of healthcare, vision, and dental insurance premiums covered for employees, partners, and dependents.
• Paid time off and federal holidays.

Additionally, ARI is in the process of updating and expanding the benefits package (to include a retirement plan and other benefits) that we provide to support the team, which will be implemented in early 2025. 

How to Apply

To apply, please complete this application form.

Candidates will be considered for this role on a rolling basis. We anticipate starting the hiring process and reaching out to applicants in the middle to end of January.

As stated above, we plan to hire Directors to lead the following issue areas:

• National security
• Misalignment and catastrophic risks
• Democracy, society, and civil rights
• Economy, workforce, and competition
• Energy and climate
• Healthcare and biology
• Geopolitics and international affairs

To apply, please complete this application form and select all issue areas that you are interested in and believe you are qualified for. An “Other” option also exists if you do not see an issue area that best fits your background. While we will consider all applications, please note our priority is to hire for the issue areas listed above.

We will review applications on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as you are interested. 

ARI is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, marital status, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, personal appearance, family responsibilities, political affiliation, or enrollment in a college, university, technical school, or adult education. We encourage women, people of color, and individuals from other marginalized backgrounds to apply.

Anticipated Hiring Process

We plan to use the following steps for this hiring process. 

1. Application Review

   Our team will review submitted applications and make a decision on who to move forward to the interview stages. 

   
   

2. Screening Interview

   Candidates will meet our operations team during a virtual interview.

   
   

3. 1st Round Interview

   Candidates will meet with a member of the senior leadership team.

   
   

4. Hiring Exercise

   We’ll ask candidates to complete a roughly 3 hour exercise to see how they might complete a common responsibility of the role and to help us identify candidates to move forward to the final stage. Candidates who submit an exercise will be compensated for their time. 

   
   

5. Final Interview:Top candidates will meet with a few members of the ARI team in person at our downtown DC office.
6. Reference Checks

   We’ll ask for references from the top candidate(s) to help us confirm and/or make a final decision. 

   
   

7. Decision and Offer

   Based on the information gathered over the course of this process, we’ll make a decision on who to offer the role to and move on to onboarding and other new hire logistics!

   
   

Please note that due to the anticipated number of applicants, we may not be able to respond to everyone. We apologize in advance for any lapse in communication.