Note: we are accepting applications and moving candidates forward on a rolling basis.

About CEA

The Centre for Effective Altruism (CEA) is an organization dedicated to building and stewarding a global community of people who are thinking carefully about the world’s most pressing problems and taking action to solve them. Our strategic priorities include growing the effective altruism community, improving the EA brand, and diversifying EA funding sources. 

Join us in building and stewarding a community dedicated to doing good. We want to help build a radically better world, which will take the best effort of many people. We want to contribute to humanity solving a range of pressing global problems — like poverty, factory farming, and existential risk — and being prepared to face the challenges of tomorrow.

About the role

We are seeking a strategic and ambitious leader to drive the development and growth of EA groups at top universities worldwide, focusing on key “pilot universities” that will serve as flagship examples. You can find out more about our support for pilot universities here. 

This leadership position requires someone who can set a visionary path, grow and lead a team, innovate beyond established models, and shape the future of EA university engagement at leading institutions. 

University EA groups have an outstanding track record of accelerating the careers of individuals doing EA-relevant work and getting people involved in the EA community more broadly. In a recent survey conducted by Open Philanthropy, participants were asked to name the top four most impactful items important to their trajectory without being given specific options. Participants listed many projects such as: 80,000 hours, Lesswrong, and Peter Singer's writing. University groups were mentioned the most times out of all community building efforts. These groups have led to graduates directly moving into high-impact roles such as starting new effective charities, entering the UK AI Safety Institute, founding talent accelerators, grantmaking at major foundations, working in the White House and influential think tanks, roles at charity evaluators, EA-inspired journalism for a major publication and many more. 

University groups are important for nurturing the next generation of EAs and leaders within the EA community. CEA aims to build a strong foundation at top universities to ensure that high-potential students can effectively access and engage with EA ideas. Our vision is to have thriving groups at the top ~20 universities by 2027, producing highly engaged EAs who are prepared to take on impactful roles globally. We are excited to leverage the high concentrations of talent at these universities and use these groups as grounds for experimentation. These top universities, serving as pilot examples for this program, are called “pilot universities.” 

To achieve this ambitious goal, we are focusing on developing strong leadership within these university groups, empowering organizers to innovate, and providing comprehensive support for their growth. University groups have an amazing track record but need a visionary leader to drive forward innovation and go beyond “the standard playbook.” 

In this role, you will be part of the Groups team and report to Jessica McCurdy, the Director of Groups. The Groups team is deeply committed to both improving the world and fostering a positive working environment. See our team values to learn more about working at CEA.

Responsibilities

While your exact responsibilities may evolve as we learn more, you will likely focus on:

• Strategic vision and leadership: Set a clear and compelling vision for EA university groups, creating actionable strategies to achieve our 2027 goals of thriving groups at top universities. Adapt this strategy as new insights and challenges emerge.

• Team management: Lead and mentor a team of program staff and organizers, ensuring they have the tools, guidance, and support to excel. Maintain our culture of high performance, accountability, and continuous learning.

• Program development: Develop and execute pilot programs aimed at seeding and growing EA groups at pilot universities. Innovate on existing models, and experiment with new approaches to engagement and support.

• Stakeholder engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with university group organizers, partner organizations, and other stakeholders in the EA community. Act as a bridge between our vision and those implementing it on the ground.

• Resource allocation: Identify and allocate monetary and non-monetary resources efficiently to the most promising groups and initiatives. Use data-driven insights to refine strategies and ensure that our efforts are delivering maximum impact.

What we are looking for

You might be a great fit if you:

• Have a strong strategic mindset with the ability to set a clear and compelling vision, develop actionable strategies, and adapt plans based on new insights or feedback. You can steer the program toward ambitious 2027 goals while remaining flexible in execution.

• Are self-directed and proactive. You can work independently, pursue learning with minimal guidance, and develop creative approaches to solving problems, with a commitment to seeing projects through from initial concept to successful completion.

• Are excited to innovate and develop new programs. You are eager to enhance current models of community building in university groups, experiment with new approaches, and ensure programs are scalable and impactful.

• Are data-driven and resourceful, able to identify promising opportunities, allocate resources effectively, and use insights to refine strategies to maximize our programs’ positive social impact.

• Are an experienced leader who has successfully led and mentored teams, ensuring that staff and organizers have the tools, guidance, and support to excel. You foster a culture of high performance, accountability, and continuous learning, enabling your team to reach their potential.

• Are a skilled relationship builder and communicator, capable of engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including university organizers, external partners, and community members. You can bridge high-level strategic vision with on-the-ground implementation, ensuring alignment and collaboration.

• Thrive in a dynamic environment where adaptability, experimentation, and learning are key to success. You enjoy leading initiatives in uncertain and evolving contexts, making adjustments as needed to drive progress.

• Deeply understand EA principles and can model and use high-quality reasoning and decision-making. You are motivated to work on projects that align with these principles and ensure they are reflected in the work of your team.

Preferred but not required

• Have a proven track record of developing and executing programs, particularly in piloting new initiatives.

• Strong familiarity with EA university groups or similar community-building initiatives.

• Have practical experience in leading high-impact projects or programs specifically within educational or non-profit sectors.

Other information

• This is a full-time, remote position reporting to Jessica McCurdy, our Director of Groups. We prefer applicants who are able to work in time zones between the UK and US Pacific Time.

  • We have an office in Oxford, UK, that you would have access to. If candidates would prefer to work from the UK, we welcome applicants from overseas and we’ll sponsor visas where possible.

• Applications: We are accepting applications on a rolling basis. We will aim to be in touch with an update within 2 weeks of receiving your application.

• Compensation:

  • US: total compensation package of $106,667-$152,849, comprising a base salary and an unconditional 10% 401k contribution.

  • UK: total compensation package of £63,492-£90,981, comprising a base salary and 10% pension contribution. 

• Benefits include private insurance, flexible work hours, a $6,000 / £5,000 annual professional development allowance, a $6,000 / £5,000 mental health support allowance, extended parental leave, ergonomic equipment, unconditional 10% pension / 401k contribution, 25 days of paid vacation, and more.

• We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. We especially encourage applications from self-identified women and people of colour who are excited about contributing to our mission. The Centre for Effective Altruism is an equal opportunity employer. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, or have any other questions about applying, please contact jobs@centreforeffectivealtruism.org.

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