Policy Director

This role will remain open until filled, with a preference for applications before February 27th. Early applications are encouraged.

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

Key Information

• Title: Policy Director

• Salary: $141,000 – $180,000 USD annually (pre-tax), commensurate with experience

• Location: based in Washington, D.C. (though will work primarily remote-first)

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

• Start date: as soon as possible

• Application deadline: applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until filled, with a preference for applications before February 27th.  

About IAPS

The Institute for AI Policy and Strategy (IAPS) is a nonpartisan think tank that produces forward-looking policy research to address the implications of advanced artificial intelligence, from today’s frontier models to potential AGI and beyond. Our work equips policymakers and industry leaders to protect innovation while navigating high-magnitude risks and opportunities at the intersection of AI, national security, and geopolitics.

Our work includes:

• 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

IAPS is seeking a Policy Director to lead our Policy & Engagement function and serve as a senior external representative for the organization. The Policy Director sits on the IAPS leadership team and reports to the Executive Director.

This is a hands-on, senior “player–coach” role. AI is advancing fast - and policy discussions and institutions need to keep pace. IAPS helps policymakers cut through the noise, and by joining our team, you will be at the forefront of conversations that will shape the trajectory of this technology. You will personally drive relationship-building and policy engagement, advise researchers in real time, and set the organization’s policy posture across priority areas. You will also manage and grow a small team and the systems that enable research-to-impact.

IAPS operates a hub-and-spoke engagement model. Your “team” includes not only your direct reports, but also matrixed research liaisons who lead briefings and rapid-response drafting in their domains. You will set standards, coordinate priorities, and enable liaisons to operate effectively—without pulling researchers away from deep work unnecessarily.

This role currently includes management of at least two direct reports (policy and communications). We expect room to grow the function over the next 12–24 months, as needs evolve.

Key Responsibilities

• Policy strategy and prioritization: Set 6–12 month policy priorities; balance near-term policy windows with longer-term preparedness; determine which opportunities to pursue given limited team capacity.

• External relationship-building and representation: Personally build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders across Congress and relevant federal agencies; represent IAPS in senior coalitions and high-leverage convenings.

• Internal advising and research-to-impact translation: Advise researchers and research leadership on policy relevance, framing, and engagement strategy; ensure policy engagement supports research impact while protecting deep-work time.

• Quality control and institutional judgment: Provide final review and sign-off on high-stakes policy products and sensitive external positions; serve as an escalation point for reputationally significant issues.

• Team leadership and communications oversight: Manage and develop a small Policy & Engagement team (including communications functions); set direction for integrated policy + communications rollouts (audience, timing, and messaging), with sign-off on sensitive communications as needed.

What We Are Looking For

Core Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience engaging policymakers in complex political environments, with strong judgment and credibility

• Ability to both set strategy and personally execute high-quality policy engagement in a lean team context

• Strong internal advising skills: comfort shaping policy narratives from complex research and engaging with technical experts

• Experience leading and developing teams (including managing through others and/or cross-functional oversight)

• Familiarity with U.S. legislative and administrative processes (e.g., appropriations, authorizations, RFIs)

• Comfort operating with autonomy and ambiguity, making high-quality prioritization decisions under constraint

Additional Strengths (preferred but not required)

• Experience in frontier AI policy strongly preferred

• Executive or Legislative branch experience in technology or national security

• Coalition leadership or cross-organization coordination experience

• Experience overseeing communications strategy, media engagement, or high-stakes public-facing outputs

We encourage candidates to apply even if they do not meet all skills and experience listed. We value complementary strengths and invest in staff development.

What We Offer

Compensation

• Annual salary range: $141,000 – $180,000 USD (pre-tax)

Other Benefits

• Comprehensive global benefits package, including 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.

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

Additional Information

• Location & Travel: This role is based in the Washington, D.C. area. The work is remote-first, with meaningful in-person engagement in Washington, D.C. expected. Travel is encouraged but not mandatory and is fully funded. (Note: We have an office in D.C., and may establish a hybrid policy in the future.)

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

• Language: Professional English proficiency required.

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

• Inclusivity: IAPS is committed to building an inclusive, equitable, and supportive community. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and identities.

Our Hiring Process

There are five evaluation stages for the Policy Director position:

1. Application and initial screening

2. Interview with senior leadership 

3. A skills or strategy assessment

4. Final panel interview

5. 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. 

We aim to run a fair, timely, and transparent process, and all applicants will receive a response.

To apply, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button below. We ask that you spend no more than two (2) hours preparing your responses to the prompts in the form.

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.