US External Affairs Associate, Global Affairs

About the Team

OpenAI’s mission is to ensure that artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity. The U.S. Policy and Partnerships team is part of the broader Global Affairs team, and is tasked with establishing and developing strong, trusted, and authentic relationships with government officials, lawmakers, and other external stakeholders. The team seeks to engage all parts of the U.S. AI policymaking community and to provide technical and policy expertise. We also work closely with the broader Global Affairs team to build collaborative relationships with the public sector and other organizations that could benefit from using our tools.  

About the Role

As External Affairs Associate within the U.S. Policy and Partnerships team, you will be responsible for strategically engaging civil rights organizations, civil society and other external stakeholders relevant to the company’s policy priorities.  OpenAI is a young company without longstanding, established relationships with civil society, so this position would be responsible for helping to start building that network of relationships from the ground up.

Reporting to the External Affairs Lead, the External Affairs Associate would help drive and manage our relationships with key organizations and thought leaders shaping the AI policy debate in the U.S. This role requires close collaboration with other colleagues on the Global Affairs Team (particularly Strategic Partnerships), as well as coordination and collaboration with other parts of the company that regularly engage with civil society (e.g. legal, safety, communications). The long-term goal is to build meaningful and constructive relationships that can help inform our U.S. federal and state policy priorities and advocacy.  

OpenAI is constantly evolving as we release industry-leading research and tools, and you'll face new challenges as the needs of the organization evolve. Day-to-day work may encompass anything from representing OpenAI at convenings and events, to developing and implementing an engagement strategy on a pressing policy issue, to preparing OpenAI leaders to represent OpenAI at such events.   

We are looking for a self-directed and creative individual with significant experience building and cultivating relationships with civil society, plus a sophisticated understanding of technology-related policy. Experience working in civil society, and technical skills relating to generative AI models are highly desirable.

This role can be based in Washington, DC or New York City and may require frequent travel to meet with key stakeholders. We offer relocation assistance to new employees. 

You should thrive in this role if you:

• Are well versed in the issues around emerging AI technologies.

• Are an enthusiastic and effective coalition builder who enjoys working independently, but also thrives as a member of a high performing, peer-led global team.

• Enjoy coordinating and leading complex collaborative projects among many stakeholders, but are also an accountable individual contributor.

• Are passionate about the promise of technology and the future of artificial intelligence but thoughtful about its potential risks.

We're looking for a blend of:

• Established network and credibility with civil society, researchers, and other stakeholders, including underrepresented groups

• Deep experience in technology policy

• Proven skills coordinating and facilitating multi-stakeholder collaboration, including managing shared team resources

• Sound judgment and outstanding personal integrity

• Ability to execute in fast and flexible environments through rapid cycles of analysis, decision, and action

• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to convey complex technical and policy concepts to diverse audiences

• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and project management skills

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of federal, state and local government rules, institutions and processes, and of the key policy issues and debates related to AI at these levels

• Track record of effectively working with cross-functional teams, especially engineering and research teams, and aligning a diverse range of internal and external partners

• Genuine care and knowledge about the impact of technology on society

• Previous work on AI issues and technical AI development expertise a significant plus

Benefits and Perks

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family

• Mental health and wellness support

• 401(k) plan with 4% matching

• Unlimited time off and 18+ company holidays per year

• Paid parental leave (20 weeks) and family-planning support

• Annual learning & development stipend ($1,500 per year)

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 other legally protected statuses. 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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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. 

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.