State Public Affairs Director

About the Team

OpenAI’s mission is to ensure that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. Achieving this mission requires thoughtful engagement with the policy ecosystem across the United States, including state-level stakeholders, issue advocates, and public leaders.

The Global Affairs team builds authentic, collaborative relationships with public officials, the broader AI policymaking community, and key stakeholders. We ensure that public insights inform OpenAI’s work and that OpenAI’s values, priorities, and tools are understood and trusted by decision-makers.

About the Role

As State Public Affairs Director, you will report to the Head of U.S.-Canada Policy and Partnerships, and work with the State and Local Government Affairs Lead to design, lead, and implement OpenAI’s state-level engagement strategy. This includes cultivating relationships with stakeholders—such as national and regional organizations, elected officials, and influencers—and supporting strategic campaigns that shape how AI is understood and governed in key states.

You will also work with the External Affairs and Partnerships teams to guide OpenAI’s efforts to build coalitions with external partners, support high-impact events and convenings, and engage in proactive l education and advocacy efforts in alignment with our mission and policy priorities. This is a strategic, externally facing role requiring a deep understanding of electoral landscapes and policy opportunity windows across U.S. states.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and execute a campaign engagement strategy across all U.S. states to elevate and cultivate OpenAI’s profile in key circles.

Cultivate strong, trust-based relationships with state-level leaders, national and regional organizations, and influential networks.

• Identify and engage high-priority states (e.g. CA, NY, TX) and key stakeholders where OpenAI’s policy priorities and reputation can be advanced.

• Support the planning and execution of state-based events, conferences, and roundtables that bring together stakeholders.

• Coordinate with OpenAI’s federal affairs, partnerships, and communications teams to ensure message consistency and strategic alignment.

• Serve as a spokesperson or representative for OpenAI at events where relevant.

You’ll thrive in this role if you:

• Have a strong understanding of state-level ecosystems in the U.S., particularly California and New York. This includes campaign operations and policy influence networks.

• Are energized by high-stakes, high-complexity environments and can represent OpenAI’s mission in those arenas with clarity and integrity.

• Enjoy working across a diverse range of communities, partners, and stakeholders with professionalism and empathy.

• Are skilled at coalition-building and developing partnerships with civic, nonprofit, and community groups.

• Are deeply interested in the intersection of AI, technology, and policy —and the opportunity to shape the future of technology in a democratic society.

Qualifications

• Deep public affairs experience at the state or national level—such as within a campaign, advocacy group, or government relations role.

• Existing network of relationships in state government circles and national/state party organizations.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute campaign strategies in complex, fast-moving environments.

• Track record of leading public affairs or advocacy campaigns across multiple states or jurisdictions.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfort engaging with elected officials and media as needed.

• Familiarity with AI policy or technology issues is preferred, but not required—curiosity and learning agility are essential.

About OpenAI

OpenAI is an AI research and deployment company dedicated to ensuring that general-purpose artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity. We push the boundaries of the capabilities of AI systems and seek to safely deploy them to the world through our products. AI is an extremely powerful tool that must be created with safety and human needs at its core, and to achieve our mission, we must encompass and value the many different perspectives, voices, and experiences that form the full spectrum of humanity. 

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. 

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For US Based Candidates: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, and requests can be made via this link.

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At OpenAI, we believe artificial intelligence has the potential to help people solve immense global challenges, and we want the upside of AI to be widely shared. Join us in shaping the future of technology.