Program Associate/Program Manager

About The CNAS AI Policy Lab

The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) is launching the AI Policy Lab to invest in its AI and national security team. The lab aims to produce cutting-edge, technically informed policy analysis on the opportunities and challenges of AI for U.S. national security. It will serve as a hub for workshops, discussions, and partnerships to bring industry, researchers, and the national security community together to develop policy solutions. The lab builds on CNAS's leadership in AI policymaking.

About CNAS

CNAS develops innovative, bipartisan national security and defense policies that promote and protect American interests and values. As an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit research organization, CNAS informs and prepares national security leaders.

About the Role

The Program Associate/Program Manager will be instrumental to the AI Policy Lab. Reporting to the Vice President of Strategy and Communications, this role involves coordinating the AI Policy Lab team's workflow, growing its convenings, programming, and networks, and serving as a key liaison between CNAS and the broader AI policy ecosystem. This is a programmatic position with significant autonomy and responsibility; it is not a research position. The role is a two-year, term-limited appointment.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordination
• Coordinate quick-turnaround products, bringing together researchers, editors, and designers.
• Provide regular updates on Lab projects and deadlines.
• Work with CNAS’s communications, publications, and design teams to ensure Lab work aligns with center-wide schedules and standards.
• Events
• Design, curate, and execute high-impact events to strengthen ties between the national security and AI communities.
• Oversee events from ideation to execution and post-event follow-ups, including logistics (travel, catering, setup) and substantive content.
• Plan pop-up convenings and visiting delegations.
• Coordinate trips for fellows to connect with technology companies and experts.
• Support colleagues in setting up events related to their AI policy research.
• Partnerships
• Strengthen partnerships with other organizations working on AI policy through regular engagements.
• Serve as a primary point of contact with partner institutions.
• Serve as the primary liaison for temporary fellowships and external placements.
• Engage with the AI safety and security policy ecosystem by attending events and shared workspaces.
• Proactively share CNAS AI research and serve as a conduit for insights from external organizations.
• Networks
• Build and manage updated contact lists of policy officials, subject matter experts, and relevant stakeholders.
• Conduct congressional and executive branch outreach.
• Assist researchers in identifying external AI experts and organizations for engagement.
• Assist researchers in targeted outreach to specific communities and organizations.
• Identify potential candidates for visiting or full-time positions in the AI Policy Lab.
• Reporting
• Write impact statements for grant reporting.
• Track and manage Lab budget and expenses.
• Other Duties
• Proactively pitch new means to engage stakeholders and strengthen partnerships.
• Take on other duties as required to maximize impact.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Tools: Notion, Airtable, CRM or data management tools (preferred).
• Skills:
• Project management and scheduling across multiple teams.
• Event planning, including logistics, travel, and substantive content.
• Organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to juggle multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities.
• Self-starter and entrepreneurial mindset.
• Building bridges between diverse stakeholders.
• Managing contact lists.
• Identifying candidates for positions.

Qualifications

• Passion for AI safety/security and strengthening ties between the AI and national security communities.
• Familiarity with key stakeholders in the AI policy community in Washington, D.C., the Bay Area, and London/Oxford.
• Familiarity with key technology industry, economic, and defense stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Legal right to work in the United States.
• Strong existing networks in the AI policy, safety, and security communities (preferred).

Logistics

• Full-time, in-person role based in Washington, D.C.
• Expect to travel to the San Francisco Bay Area, London/Oxford, and other locations as needed.
• Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Compensation & Benefits

• $70,000 – $150,000, depending on qualifications and experience.
• Competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, 403(b) retirement accounts, transportation subsidies, and an employee assistance program.