Job Description

Senior Manager AI Safety and Security Policy

Full-time FAS staff

Washington D.C. (hybrid)

Apply by December 15 2025

To Sum It Up

Whats the elevator pitch for the role

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 impactshaping how the U.S. anticipates and manages the challenges of frontier AI.

Youll identify and advance ideas that can make rapid AI progress safer for everyonecrafting 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.

Youll work closely with researchers policymakers civil society and industry experts across diverse viewpointsfrom 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 youre motivated by the challenge of bridging technical and policy worlds to shape how society mitigates catastrophic AI risksand to ensure transformative AI serves the public goodthis is a chance to lead from the front.

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

Skills and Expertise: Must-Haves

What skills do you need to show proficiency (or higher) in order to be a strong candidate

• 7 years of relevant 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 limitationsand 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.

Skills and Expertise: Preferred

• Direct government experience particularly in areas relevant to AI policy.
• Experience briefing senior decisionmakers .
• Experience managing people and complex projects ; clear empathetic communication and stakeholder coordination.
• Experience convening crosssector 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.

Key Responsibilities:

The following is an overview of the main responsibilities of the successful candidate. Please note that other tasks may be required and responsibilities will vary over time.

Policy Analysis and Development

• Identify policy windows including areas where proactive targeted interventions (e.g. 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 development with our Day One community including through our AI Safety Policy Entrepreneurship Fellowship .
• Collaborate with internal teams on relevant policy projects (e.g. AI and nuclear weapons).

Project and Program Management

• Manage and mentor staff with regular timely and constructive feedback. Contribute to personnel development and foster a curious inclusive and ambitious team culture.
• Manage project deadlines and deliverables ensuring timeliness and high quality. Collaborate across other internal teams to ensure alignment and execution on relevant AI projects. Attend relevant internal meetings.
• Oversee future iterations of FASs AI Safety Policy Entrepreneurship Fellowship in collaboration with other FAS staff.
• Assist with the preparation and management of budgets in collaboration with other FAS staff.
• Participate in fundraising efforts as appropriate and draft reports for relevant funders.
• Support the Associate Director of AI and Emerging Technology Policy in managing the AI portfolio at FAS.

Policy Engagement & Convening

• Regularly engage with policymakers civil society technical AI experts and a range of AI policy communities to share and refine ideas.
• Represent FAS at relevant external events including travel as needed.
• Serve as an expert commentator for journalists via social media and through publications in the popular press.
• Design and manage relevant events (workshops briefings convenings etc.) supported by other FAS staff including formulating event agendas themes and speakers and bringing a diverse range of ideas into dialogue.

Why FAS

Does FAS sound like an organization that you would be energized to join Is it aligned to your values

The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) takes seriously our role as a beacon and voice for the science community. FAS has a rich history: after the devastating bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 a group of atomic researchersdeeply concerned about the use of science for malicecreated an organization committed to using science and technology to benefit humanity.

The group they createdthe Federation of Atomic Scientistssoon became the Federation of American Scientists in recognition of the hundreds of scientists across diverse disciplines who joined together to speak with one voice for the betterment of the world.

Today we are a group of entrepreneurial intrepid changemakers forging a better future for all through the nexus of science technology and talent. We value fairness inclusion and transparency and are focused on being impact-driven and growth-oriented as a force for good in the world.

Our previous AI policy work has included:

• Developing AI safety policy proposals that have shaped government policy.
• Hosting private convenings including with administration officials and members of Congress at the intersection of AI and various global risks including cybersecurity biosecurity nuclear weapons.
• Publishing policy memos at the intersection of AI and energy in collaboration with leading researchers.
• Working with scientists and policymakers to share ideas on how AI can accelerate scientific research .
• Creating policy proposals for AI specifically targeted at Congress and directly briefing these ideas to staffers on Capitol Hill.
• Launching an ongoing policy development sprint to promote fair and trustworthy AI.

Work Environment

This position will be a hybrid role meaning generally two to three days per week on-site at our offices in Washington D.C. and two to three days per week remote depending on the needs of the organization.

Salary Range

$110000 - $145000

Benefits

FAS offers a competitive benefits and retirement package for employees. Details will be provided to you during the interview process.

FAS Hiring Statement

Dont check off every box Apply anyway! Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every listed qualification. At FAS we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and developing new voices. If youre excited about this role but your past experience doesnt align perfectly we encourage you to apply anywayyou might just be the right candidate.

The Federation of American Scientists is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion gender identity or expression national origin age disability genetic information marital status amnesty or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal state and local laws. The Federation of American Scientists prohibits discriminating against employees and job applicants who inquire about discuss or disclose the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant. Employment is contingent on successful verification of eligibility to work in the United States. Please note that we are unable to offer employment sponsorship for this role.

PLEASE NOTE: we recommend that applicants complete their answers to the application questions in a separate document and paste them in as the portal will not save their application progress until submission.

Required Experience:

Senior Manager

Job Tags

Full time, Local area, Remote work, Visa sponsorship, 2 days per week, 3 days per week,

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