Chief Programs Officer

The Partnership on AI (PAI) is the leading forum addressing the most important and difficult decisions on the future of AI. PAI is a non-profit that invites diverse voices into the process of technical governance, design, and deployment of AI technologies. Their essential partners work together across industry, academia, and civil society to understand the implications of AI advancements and ensure they benefit society equitably. Through dialogue, insight, education, and guidance, PAI informs responsible AI solutions and identifies opportunities to address humanity’s pressing challenges.

PAI’s vision is a future where Artificial Intelligence empowers humanity by contributing to a more just, equitable, and prosperous world. Their mission is to bring diverse voices together across global sectors, disciplines, and demographics so developments in AI advance positive outcomes for people and society.

If you are committed to a future of responsible AI and you are interested in joining the Partnership on AI in their quest, your interest is genuinely appreciated and they want to hear from you!

ROLE SUMMARY

The Partnership on AI (PAI) is hiring a dynamic and experienced Chief Programs Officer (CPO) to advance the organization’s impact globally. PAI is looking for a highly experienced leader committed to the compelling and timely work of developing innovative, international and multistakeholder programming to advance the responsible design, development, deployment, and use of AI.

The Chief Programs Officer will be responsible for leading, managing, and evolving PAI’s portfolio of programs, delivering measurable results that align with their theory of change. The Chief Programs Officer will oversee the collaborative development of practical, innovative, and accountability-focused responsible AI research outputs, promote their uptake among Partners, advance public understanding of PAI’s work, and inform innovations in public policy.

Importantly, the Chief Programs Officer will engage collaboratively and consultatively externally, notably with PAI’s global community of Partners and Board of Directors and, internally, with individuals across PAI’s organization.

Specific leadership responsibilities include leading the Program Team, and working with PAI Steering Committees, to hold timely convenings on emerging international challenges, and conducting research, synthesis and analysis to develop accessible resources, tools, community standards and protocols to support responsible AI development.

Reporting to the CEO, the Chief Programs Officer will work closely with the Distinguished Research Director (part-time) on the Research and Impact Strategy; and the Programs and Research Team to deliver their objectives. This role has the following PAI leaders as their direct reports: Program Heads of Fairness, Transparency, and Accountability; Safety-Critical AI; AI, Labor and the Economy; AI and Media Integrity; and Inclusive Research and Design. The Programs Team is currently 10 people.

The Chief Programs Officer will also work closely with the Head of Policy on the Global Policy Strategy; as well as the Chief Strategy Officer, Philanthropy and Partnerships; and the Chief Operations and People Officer.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Provide intellectual and managerial leadership to focus PAI’s programs on sociotechnical challenges that connect AI research and technology expertise with diverse perspectives from PAI’s community of civil society and media experts, researchers based at academic institutions and think tanks, policy-makers, scientists, and engineers from technology companies, and those most harmed or at risk of harm from AI.
In support of PAI’s Research and Impact Strategy, work with the Distinguished Research Director to establish transparent and accountable areas of timely and influential work that engage PAI’s Partners, by implementing clear criteria and an open, rigorous approach to identifying important emerging topics, both for convenings and for those areas of work selected to advance action with Partners, policy-makers, and the public.
Work with the Program Heads to guide, strengthen, coordinate, and expand PAI’s program portfolio to foster real-world impact, high relevance and prominence of PAI work and outputs.
Consult with Partners via PAI Steering Committees and Expert Groups to envision and launch new areas of programming building on the architecture of PAI’s Six Thematic Pillars: Safety-critical AI; Fair, Transparent, and Accountable AI; Collaborations Between People and AI Systems; AI, Labor and the Economy; Social and Societal Influences of AI; AI for Social Good.
Understand and monitor the state-of-the-art in the field of sociotechnical AI design, development, deployment, and use (and related disciplines).
Support Partner understanding and adoption of new ways of working including testing solutions by running pilots, developing use cases, benchmarking experiences and conducting surveys and interviews.
Lead, facilitate and provide day-to-day management of the Programs Team, by adhering to Management Best Practices.
Champion equity, diversity, and inclusion internally and externally.
Represent the organization and its progress at conferences and other public forums to maintain visibility within the broader AI community.
Foster a supportive, inclusive, and equitable Programs Team that empowers and enables people to succeed in support of the overall mission.
Recruit, mentor, develop, and provide ongoing support and coaching to the Programs Team, setting and meeting team and individual goals and benchmarks.
With the CEO and Distinguished Research Director, establish an independent advisory group to provide advice to advance the high quality, independent accountability, and equitable impact of PAI’s programs and research.
Work with the Chief Strategy Officer, Partnerships, and Philanthropy to support fundraising initiatives and the creation of a globally diverse and inclusive Partner community, and communicate PAI’s work to advance public understanding.
Work with the Head of Policy to drive alignment between PAI programs and global public policy, this includes translating research to inform and be informed by public policy, advance timely positions on important issues, and develop progress reports in the public interest.
Work with the Chief Operations and Program Officer to oversee operational activities, including monitoring and evaluation of Programs goals, IT, finances and budget, human resources, and PAI’s organization-wide plan to embed diversity, equity, and inclusion in all activities.
Present to the Board and lead the development of materials for reporting to PAI’s Board of Directors and relevant Board committees, as needed.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

PhD or Masters degree in a related discipline or equivalent (10+ years) work experience required in a leadership role.
Extensive program management experience in sociotechnical approaches to artificial intelligence; or otherwise demonstrated technical competence in implementing, designing, and managing AI systems.
Extensive work experience overseeing program design, development, implementation, and evaluation across several topic areas.
Research and work experience conducting collaborative initiatives with a multi-stakeholder, multi-disciplinary point-of-view.
Exceptional partnering and team skills as a trusted colleague and team leader. Track record of managing and supporting a collaborative and cohesive team environment.
Ability to communicate effectively with and relate to a broad range of stakeholders, including senior leaders, peers, direct reports, partner organizations, and Board members.
Flexible and adaptable in a small, fast-paced environment.
Extensive network within the sociotechnical AI research community.
Ability to work with diverse perspectives and to incorporate these perspectives into PAI’s projects.
Excellent conflict resolution skills. Ability to resolve disparate programs and research directions, Partner interests, and resourcing trade-offs, with an orientation toward win-win solutions.
Proven collaborator with internal and external stakeholders, ability to build and maintain effective working relationships.
Experience with or comfort in speaking publicly as a spokesperson to a variety of audiences including funders.

PREFERRED LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

Vision – Ability to develop and articulate a vision for the future of an organization or significant initiative. Possesses a “big picture” perspective.
Strategic Development – Demonstrates success initiating, developing, and implementing large-scale project execution strategies for an organization.
Decision-Making with Integrity – Demonstrates a high level of technical acumen and judgment required for the role; ability to make practical, realistic, data-driven, and timely decisions in support of the organization’s objectives with the highest degree of integrity.
Problem-Solving – Ability to understand, analyze and interpret complex problems and develop appropriate action plans to achieve sustainable solutions. Engages team in collaborative problem-solving to develop well-informed plans to achieve results.
Hands-On – Unafraid to roll up their sleeves to contribute to the success of an emerging organization.
Entrepreneurial Drive – Desire and proven ability to have an impact. An energetic self-starter with a strong work ethic and sense of urgency, capable of thriving in a high-growth environment.
Detail-Oriented – Encourages the highest quality and rigor of research output and commitment to scientific inquiry and ethics.
Collaborative Style – A team player, who works effectively in a team-based organization, collaborates cross-functionally across multiple stakeholders, exercises influence diplomatically, and builds trust and credibility at all levels. Someone who builds consensus and achieves agreement on key priorities.
Relationship-Oriented – Ability to successfully influence, build credibility and work effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders: senior leaders, policymakers, partners, Board members, and externally with key stakeholders. Able to synthesize divergent views and coalesce all constituencies around a shared view or plan.
Builds Trust – Able to be transparent by being authentic, conveying trust and communicating openly while involving key stakeholders in decision-making.
Equity and Inclusion – Fluent with the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion including a commitment to racial equity and anti-racism.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Must be eligible to work in the United States or Canada; we are unable to sponsor visas at this time.
Must be fully vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus as per PAI’s Employee Policy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Research has shown that some potential applicants will submit an application only when they feel that they have met close to all of the qualifications for a role—PAI encourages you to take a leap of faith and submit your application as long as you are passionate about working to make a real impact on responsible AI. PAI is very interested in hearing from a diverse pool of candidates.
PAI offers a generous paid leave and benefits package, including 20 vacation days; three personal reflection days; sick leave and family leave above industry standards; high-quality PPO and HMO health insurance plans, many 100% covered by PAI; Dental and vision insurance 100% covered by PAI; up to a 7% 401K match, vested immediately; pre-tax commuter benefits (Clipper); automatic cell phone reimbursement ($75/month); professional development annually; $150 per month or $1800 per year to access co-working space; regular team lunches & reading days; opportunities to attend AI-related conferences and events and to collaborate with our roughly 100 partners across industry, academia, and civil society. Please refer to PAI’s careers page for an updated list of benefits.
PAI is headquartered in San Francisco, with a global membership base and scope. This role is eligible for remote work within the United States or Canada with no requirement to be located in San Francisco. We do not offer visa support for this position at this time.

PAI is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. PAI celebrates diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment in all aspects of employment, including recruiting, hiring, promoting, training, education assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, and all privileges and conditions of employment. Employment decisions at PAI are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications.

PAI will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance or similar laws.

The Partnership on AI may become subject to certain governmental record-keeping and reporting requirements for the administration of civil rights laws and regulations. We also track diversity in our workforce for the purpose of improving over time. In order to comply with these goals, the Partnership on AI invites employees to voluntarily self-identify their gender and race/ethnicity. Submission of this information is voluntary and refusal to provide it will not jeopardize or adversely affect employment or any consideration you may receive for employment or advancement. The information obtained will be kept confidential.

The salary range for the Chief Programs Officer role is $175,000 – $255,000.

TO APPLY

More information about the Partnership on AI may be found at: partnershiponai.org

This search is being led by Katherine Jacobs and Sharon Gerstman of NPAG. Due to the pace of this search, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Candidates may submit their cover letter, outlining their interest and qualifications, along with their resume via NPAG’s website.

Applications may be accepted on a rolling basis until the role is filled.