Senior Manager, Programs

CAIS • San Francisco, CA

11h • Onsite

About The Position

The Center for AI Safety (CAIS) is hiring a Senior Manager, Programs to design, deliver, and improve programs that build the field of AI safety. Programs include fellowships, workshops, convenings, speaker series, and educational courses that bring together researchers, students, policymakers, and other professionals. The role turns early ideas into well-run, repeatable programs with measurable impact, and owns a portfolio from initial research and planning through delivery and evaluation.

The Senior Manager will define program goals and scope; identify stakeholders and partners; develop plans and budgets; recruit participants, speakers, and facilitators; and oversee delivery, documentation, and evaluation. The role calls for independent judgment, strong operational execution, and the ability to lead a Programs team while influencing internal teams and external partners. The Senior Manager reports to the VP of Operations and works closely with them on program plans and delivery.

This is an on-site position in San Francisco, California, five days per week, for local candidates. A technical background in AI is not required, but the candidate should understand why AI safety matters and be able to discuss it credibly with researchers and leaders. This is a field-building program leadership role, not a technical project management, product management, or software delivery role.

Requirements

• 7+ years of experience designing and running programs that convene people, such as fellowships, workshops, conferences, speaker series, community programs, or educational programs, including end-to-end ownership.
• Experience directly managing and developing program staff.
• A track record of designing new programs from concept to successful launch with limited guidance, rather than only running existing programs.
• Experience managing several programs at once and prioritizing effectively across them.
• Strong budget ownership and resource management.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders without direct authority and establish accountability across internal teams and external partners.
• Demonstrated systems thinking, including building repeatable mechanisms and applying an appropriate level of process.
• Ability to get up to speed quickly in unfamiliar domains by learning from experts, papers, and other sources.
• Sound judgment under uncertainty, including knowing when to move quickly, investigate further, or escalate.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including explaining complexity and trade-offs to leadership.
• High agency and a high bar for quality; openness to feedback and honesty with oneself and others.
• Genuine understanding of why AI safety matters and ability to explain it in one's own words.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.

Nice To Haves

• Existing relationships in the AI safety, AI research, or AI policy community.
• Experience in a research organization, AI or technology company, or policy or field-building organization.
• Experience at an early-stage or fast-growing mission-driven organization.

Responsibilities

• Conduct preliminary research and exploration for new programs to establish goals, scope, and requirements.
• Collaborate with the VP of Operations to define program plans, including goals, audience, format, speakers or participants, timeline, and budget.
• Recruit and select participants, speakers, and facilitators, and design agendas and formats that support productive conversations and lasting connections.
• Build and maintain relationships with researchers, academic institutions, and partner organizations across the AI safety community.
• Gather context in unfamiliar domains by consulting experts, reviewing research, and using available resources.
• Own program delivery and ensure programs meet agreed scope, timeline, and quality expectations.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks, address challenges proactively, and escalate critical issues to the VP of Operations as needed.
• Ensure accurate and comprehensive program documentation and reporting, including maintaining program details in appropriate project management software.
• Manage relationships with external partners, vendors, and other stakeholders to meet program requirements.
• Manage program budgets and resources, track expenses, and ensure alignment with financial goals.
• Lead cross-functional teams and external partners in delivering programs, in close partnership with the VP of Operations.
• Delegate tasks to team members and partners, providing clear guidance and oversight.
• Lead, manage, and mentor members of the Programs team.

Benefits

• Health insurance for the employee and dependents.
• 401K plan with 4% matching.
• Unlimited PTO.
• Lunch and dinner at the office.
• Annual professional development stipend.
• Access to some of the top talent working on technical and conceptual research in AI safety.
• Referral program offering a $1,500 bonus when a referred hire has been with CAIS for 90 days.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior