Communications Senior Associate / Manager

This role will remain open until filled. We encourage early applications by December 16.

If you have any issues applying, please email careers@iaps.ai.

Key Information

• Title: Communications Senior Associate or Manager

• Salary:

  • Senior Associate: $81,000 - $100,000 USD annually (pre-tax)

  • Manager: $100,000 - $110,000 USD annually (pre-tax)

• Location: remote (we are able to hire in most countries), with a preference for candidates who are based or would be willing to relocate to Washington, D.C., We offer a 10% location premium for D.C. location.

• Job type: full-time, permanent position (this role requires minimum 32 hours per week)

• Start date: as soon as possible

• Application deadline: Until filled, with a preference for applications before December 16. We will begin reviewing applications on December 17. We encourage early submissions. Please also note that our team will be on an organisation-wide break from December 20 – January 4, and no updates will be provided during this period.

About IAPS

The Institute for AI Policy and Strategy (IAPS) is a nonpartisan think tank that engages experts across the U.S., allied, and partner nations to deliver concrete, technically sound policy research. We believe that AI and AGI are poised to bring transformative change over the coming years, and want to play an active role in shaping its future. Our work involves:

• Conducting forward-looking policy research in areas including preparedness, information and supply chain security, and international coordination needed to navigate strategic competition with adversaries who may misuse AI.

• Cultivating policy talent — IAPS is forging a community of researchers and practitioners from across many policy areas and backgrounds to meet this critical moment.

• Providing relevant and timely insights to stakeholders across Congress, the executive branch, industry, academia, and civil society.

Follow these links to read more about our work and our team, and sign up to our newsletter.

About the Role

The Institute for AI Policy and Strategy (IAPS) is seeking a communications professional to join our Policy & Engagement pillar. Our team works hand-in-hand with our research teams to inform policy conversations with technically-grounded research.

This position will be filled at either the Senior Associate or Manager level, commensurate with the candidate's experience, strategic capabilities, and network. You will be responsible for executing and, at the Manager level, shaping the communications strategy that builds IAPS’s brand, narrative, and media presence.

This is a pivotal role for a "doer-strategist" who is passionate about translating complex AI policy for the real world. As our primary communications professional, you will be a core member of our Policy & Engagement team. You will be responsible for IAPS’ core communications operations, from managing press relations to ensuring high-quality report launches and maintaining a compelling web presence through our website and social media.

Key Responsibilities

As a Senior Associate:

• Independently own and manage core communications channels (e.g., our editorial calendar, social media platforms, and newsletter).

• Draft and edit high-quality content, including press releases, social copy, and website updates.

• Proactively pitch IAPS research and experts to trade and policy publications, successfully placing stories and quotes.

• Build and maintain trusted relationships with journalists, editors, and key media contacts.

• Produce or revise, in collaboration with researchers, collateral for policy events and report launches.

• Track and report on analytics to demonstrate the impact of your work.

• Manage vendor relationships (e.g., designers, web developers).

At the Manager Level, you will additionally:

• Design and lead integrated, multi-channel communications campaigns from start to finish (e.g., major report launches).

• Use analytics and media trends to shape pillar-wide strategy, advise researchers, and recommend adjustments.

• Mentor researchers looking to advance their public presence 

• Lead procurement of communications tools and services.

What We Are Looking For

Experience

Senior Associate:

• Typically 3+ years of relevant communications experience (e.g., at a think tank, on Capitol Hill, or in journalism). Total professional experience may be higher.

• A proven track record of independently managing a core comms channel (social, editorial, etc.).

• Demonstrated success in pitching and placing stories in policy-relevant media.

• Experience utilizing digital tools for content distribution and analysis (e.g., CMS platforms like WordPress, email marketing tools, and Google Analytics).

• Experience collaborating with external vendors or creative partners (e.g., graphic designers) to produce polished collateral.

• Exceptional writing and editing skills.

Manager:

• All associate qualifications, plus:

• Typically 5+ years of relevant experience.

• Demonstrated experience designing and leading full-scale, strategic communications campaigns.

• Experience using analytics to inform strategy and advise senior stakeholders.

• Experience mentoring junior staff and/or managing vendor contracts.

• Proven ability to manage budgets and lead the procurement process for communications tools or services.

Skills and Competencies

Ability to write clearly and concisely for a range of audiences, particularly policymakers.

• Knowledge and experience tailoring content and voice for multiple platforms, including X.com, LinkedIn, and Substack.

• Ability to create compelling, accessible content on complex topics. 

• Critical thinking skills

• Ability to navigate complex political environments.

• Interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team.

• Ability to prioritize well and meet deadlines.

• Willingness and ability to conduct outreach with relevant stakeholders and experts, particularly with government, media, and civil society organizations.

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage complex publication timelines and launch schedules.

• Technical aptitude to learn and manage backend systems (website CMS, CRM, etc.) independently.

• Proactiveness, resourcefulness, and problem-solving ability.

We encourage candidates to apply even if they do not meet all skills and experience listed. We are open to hiring someone with substantial strengths in some areas but who need to develop their skills in others, and we invest heavily in our staff’s development.

What We Offer

Compensation

• Annual salary within the following ranges for a full-time position, prorated for part-time work:

  • Senior Associate: $81,000 - $100,000 USD annually (pre-tax)

  • Manager: $100,000 - $110,000 USD annually (pre-tax)

• Compensation is not restricted to USD and will be paid in a candidate’s local currency after applying the appropriate exchange rate.

• The exact salary will be based on the candidate’s prior relevant experience and location (candidates in DC and SF and London will receive relatively higher salaries), according to IAPS’s salary algorithm.

Other Benefits

• Comprehensive global benefits package, including a generous health insurance. 

• Generous paid time off (PTO) leave and unpaid leave, including:

• Unlimited vacation with a minimum 30 days off per year (incl. public local holidays, vacation time, and “mandated” 3-weeks total mid- and end-year organization-wide breaks).

• Unlimited (within reason) personal and sick leave.

• Parental leave - up to 6-9 months of a combination of paid and unpaid parental leave that can be taken prior to and/or during the first 2 years after a child’s birth or adoption. 

• Technology stipend of the equivalent of $2000 USD every 3 years that can be used to cover costs of purchasing work and office equipment.

• Annual team retreat and other opportunities for paid travel of generally 1-2 weeks per trip, including stipends to help cover the cost of dependent care while traveling. (Note: travel is never required)

• We encourage proactive professional development and offer learning opportunities, including conferences and workshops.

Logistics and Additional Information

• Location: These roles are fully remote, and we are able to legally hire in most countries where our applicants have the right to work. However, candidates based in Washington D.C., San Francisco, or London can expect to receive a higher salary to reflect the added value of in-person stakeholder outreach in these locations of interest to our organization.  We may be able to provide visa sponsorship to the US or UK only in exceptional cases. If you have questions about whether we can hire you where you’re currently based, and if this will influence your decision about applying, please contact careers@iaps.ai before submitting your application.

• Hours: This is a full time role, based on a 40-hour workweek. We seek candidates who can commit to at least 32 hours per week. Please note that the salary is based on a 40-hour workweek and will be prorated accordingly.

• Travel: This role has a lot of opportunities for business travel. However, all travel is optional and travel is not required to take this position. Trips are paid and may involve visits to Washington DC, San Francisco, London, one team retreat annually, and relevant conferences.

• Language: Please submit all of your application materials in English and note that we require professional level English proficiency.

• Accessibility: We’re committed to running an inclusive and accessible application process. We warmly invite you to reach out to careers@iaps.ai with any questions or accessibility requests.

• Hiring Emails: Please add careers@iaps.ai to your trusted contacts and/or check your 'spam', 'promotions' and ‘updates’ folders, if you don’t hear from us within the expected timeframe. We also encourage you to add Fillout domain (@fillout.com) as we collect job applications through Fillout’s platform.

Our Hiring Process

There are 4 evaluation stages for the communications senior associate / manager position: (1) application questions, (2) initial interview (3) second interview and (4) reference checks. Occasionally, we may insert a brief additional step - such as a short  interview or a small task - to help us fairly assess candidates before the larger written task. If used, this step will take no more than an hour.

To apply, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button below. You may select whether you want to be considered for the Senior Associate or Manager role, or both. We ask that you spend no more than two (2) hours preparing your responses to the prompts in the form.

Reminder: We will begin reviewing applications on December 17 and will continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled. We strongly encourage early submissions, as the role will close once we have identified the right candidate. Please note that our team will be on an organisation-wide break from December 20 – January 4, and no updates will be provided during this period.

Note Before Applying: Please do not include a cover letter, photograph, or headshot of yourself, or any personal information that is not relevant to the role for which you’re applying (including marital status, age, identity traits, etc.). Additionally, please do not ask our staff members involved in the hiring process to meet with you – to ensure fairness, we try to minimize these interactions, and requests for meetings with the hiring committee members during the process will be declined. 

Contact: Please email careers@iaps.ai if you have any questions.