Senior Manager, AI Safety and Security Policy

Senior Manager, AI Safety and Security Policy

Full-time, 1-year termed FAS staff position with benefits

Washington, DC | Hybrid

FAS is building the capacity to govern increasingly advanced AI systems in the public interest. As Senior Manager, AI Safety and Security Policy, you will drive ambitious efforts to turn cutting‑edge technical insights into real policy impact—shaping how the U.S. anticipates and manages the challenges of frontier AI.

You’ll identify and advance ideas that can make rapid AI progress safer for everyone—crafting proposals, bridging divides, and helping decision‑makers act before capabilities outpace oversight. This is a role for a policy entrepreneur: someone who sees opportunities for change and moves to realize them.

You’ll work closely with researchers, policymakers, civil society, and industry experts across diverse viewpoints—from AI safety and security to fairness and innovation—supported by cross‑functional FAS teams. Success means not only producing analysis, but ensuring that pluralistic, evidence‑based approaches to frontier AI governance take root in the places where decisions are made.

If you’re motivated by the challenge of bridging technical and policy worlds to shape how society mitigates catastrophic AI risks—and to ensure transformative AI serves the public good—this is a chance to lead from the front.

This position will report to the Director of AI and Emerging Technology Policy.

• 6+ years of experience across think tanks, government, academia, or industry.
• Experience with one or more areas of AI safety and security policy (e.g., frontier AI safety, AI and chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological (CBRN) weapons, AI and cybersecurity, red‑teaming, dangerous capabilities evaluations).
• Aptitude for policy entrepreneurship, including an ability to identify policy windows and match interventions (briefings, convenings, public comments, etc.) to moments of maximal impact.
• Proven ability to craft precise, persuasive, and implementable policy proposals and communicate complex ideas clearly to technical and non‑technical audiences alike.
• Ability to engage critically and carefully with technical AI work—understanding research claims, methods, and limitations—and translate these into policy‑relevant insights.
• Capacity to engage constructively across differing schools of thought in AI policy (e.g., safety, security, fairness, and innovation) while maintaining analytical rigor and respect for diverse evidence bases.
• Track record of working across teams and mentoring or guiding colleagues in a mission‑driven, fast‑moving environment.

• Direct government experience, particularly in areas relevant to AI policy.
• Experience briefing senior decision‑makers.
• Experience managing people and complex projects; clear, empathetic communication and stakeholder coordination.
• Experience convening cross‑sector stakeholders and building consensus, particularly around challenging topics.
• Hands‑on technical experience in AI/ML, for example developing or deploying frontier AI systems.
• Research or publication record, especially on AI policy (e.g., reports, academic articles, public commentary).
• Professional networks spanning AI research, policy, and advocacy communities, particularly AI safety and security.
• Advanced degree (e.g., MS, JD, MPP/MPA, or PhD), especially with a focus on AI governance, safety, or security.

• Identify policy windows, including areas where proactive, targeted interventions (public comments, convenings, briefings) can support tangible policy change.
• Write and publish rigorous, timely analysis that anticipates emerging AI risks and opportunities and is useful to policymakers.
• Develop well‑scoped research projects on AI safety and security policy where you see potential windows to drive policy change.
• Engage with external experts, including technical AI experts, to conduct relevant research.
• Respond to requests for technical assistance from policymakers, including through briefings and responses to requests for information.
• Collaborate on AI policy…