Research Communications Manager

OpenAI•San Francisco, CA

5h•Hybrid

About The Position

OpenAI is seeking an experienced communications professional to join our Platform & Research Communications team. This role will work closely with the Research Communications Lead and in partnership with applied and engineering teams to shape how OpenAI’s scientific work is understood by researchers, journalists, policymakers, and the broader public. This position is responsible for developing and executing external communications strategies around OpenAI’s research—from foundational model advances to applied science collaborations—ensuring accuracy, nuance, and alignment with OpenAI’s long-term goals. The ideal candidate brings strong science or technical fluency, excellent storytelling instincts, and experience navigating complex, high-stakes narratives. You will partner closely with research leadership, individual researchers, policy, product, and cross-functional communications teams. This role requires both strategic judgment and hands-on execution in a fast-moving environment where research, product, and public discourse intersect. This role is based in San Francisco, CA and follows a hybrid schedule (three days per week in office). Relocation assistance is available.

Requirements

7+ years of experience in research, science, or technology communications
Demonstrated experience working directly with scientists, engineers, or technical leaders.
Strong understanding of AI, machine learning, or adjacent scientific domains
Exceptional writing and editing skills, with the ability to adapt tone for expert and general audiences
Proven judgment handling complex, ambiguous, or high-stakes narratives
Experience managing multiple workstreams in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities
Strong project management and cross-functional collaboration skills
Comfort operating at both strategic and executional levels

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with academic publishing, peer review, or research collaborations

Responsibilities

Shape Research Narratives
Develop clear, credible external narratives around OpenAI’s research roadmap, breakthroughs, and long-term scientific direction.
Translate complex technical work into accessible stories without oversimplifying or overstating impact.
Help define and reinforce OpenAI’s POV on key research topics (e.g., reasoning, alignment, interpretability, scientific discovery).
Lead Research-Focused Media Engagement
Build and maintain trusted relationships with top-tier science, technology, and business journalists.
Manage proactive and reactive media engagement related to research announcements, papers, collaborations, and emerging narratives.
Prepare researchers and executives for interviews, briefings, and public appearances.
Support Research Launches & Publications
Partner with research teams to plan communications for major papers, model releases, evaluations, and science initiatives.
Collaborate with design, editorial, and social teams on blogs, explainers, visuals, and supporting materials.
Ensure launches are grounded in evidence, aligned with policy and safety considerations, and appropriately scoped.
Cross-Functional Partnership
Work closely with Product, Policy, Safety, Legal, and Marketing to align research communications with broader company goals.
Serve as a communications thought partner to researchers—helping them anticipate questions, risks, and opportunities.
Risk Anticipation & Mitigation
Identify potential reputational, scientific, or misinterpretation risks early.
Develop mitigation strategies, Q&A, and guidance for sensitive or high-profile research topics.
Help ensure OpenAI communicates responsibly about frontier capabilities and limitations.