Policy Director / Policy Manager

Title and level depend on qualifications and experience; the posted range covers both.

Location: Remote (U.S.), with occasional travel (a few times a year) 

Type: Full-time, W-2 

Reports to: Executive Director (or Policy Director, in case of Policy Manager) 

The organization

The State AI Collaborative is a nonprofit, nonpartisan platform that helps states navigate the policy opportunities and challenges of AI. We connect states to independent expertise and to one another, so they can learn and act with confidence and speed, and pilot new policy approaches together. States are making consequential decisions about AI today across a range of important domains, including economic transitions, child safety, cybersecurity, model alignment and transparency, and more. We are building a network and dedicated support for effective decisionmaking. 

The role

This person is a core policy resource and connection between state policy staff and relevant organizations and experts in civil society and academia. You'll field requests from states, organize briefings and working sessions, stand up pilot projects, and turn policy ideas and state needs into workable support states can use. You'll work directly with the people making AI policy decisions for states, at a point when the field is still taking shape.

This is a chance to help build an organization from the ground up. As one of our first hires, you will help grow the organization and define your role. We expect to scope your responsibilities, set priorities, and make strategic calls together, and to keep reshaping the role as the organization and the field evolve. Alongside the policy work, you'll help with the wider work of an early-stage team, including planning convenings, supporting fundraising, and building systems.

In this role you will: 

• Serve as a go-to policy resource for state policymakers working on AI.

• Field and triage requests from states, and connect them to the right experts and peers.

• Organize policy briefings, working sessions, and other opportunities for states to learn from one another.

• Lead incubation of state policy pilot projects, from early concept through drafts states can use.

• Track AI policy developments across states and nationally, and communicate what matters to our partners.

• Pitch in across an early-stage team, from convening logistics to funder communications to building our internal systems.

What we're looking for

• Policy experience at the state level, including legislative or regulatory analysis and drafting. Experience in a governor's office is a plus, but not a requirement.

• Working knowledge of AI or technology policy, or a strong enough policy background to come up to speed fast.

• Ability to translate complex policy into clear, usable material for busy policymakers.

• A network across policy, advocacy, and expert communities, or a clear ability to build one.

• Sound judgment and integrity. Our work depends on nonpartisan trust and confidentiality with partners.

• Kind and respectful collaborators who care more about outcomes and healthy organizational culture than individual advancement. 

• Demonstrated experience working energetically and creatively to build new things.  

• Commitment to advancing timely, thoughtful AI policy.

Minimum education: Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience. 

Minimum years of experience: Years of experience required will correlate with the internal job level requirements for the position. We prefer at least six years of relevant work experience for the policy manager role, or ten years plus of relevant work experience for the policy director role. 

Compensation and benefits

• Salary range: $100,000–$180,000. The range reflects a national band and includes both level possibilities; actual offers are set within this band based on experience and geographic cost of labor.

• Benefits: We provide medical, dental, and vision insurance and paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.