Coalitions Director

About ARI

ARI is a nonprofit organization advocating for artificial intelligence policy in the public interest. We believe in establishing a thoughtful governance framework for rapidly advancing AI technology that protects the public from harm while continuing to foster innovation. ARI takes a bipartisan approach, building coalitions across the political spectrum.

Overview

Americans for Responsible Innovation (ARI) is looking for an experienced Coalitions Director to lead and expand the organization’s external partnerships. AI safeguards that protect the public interest have backing across the ideological spectrum and from a range of interest groups. ARI’s Coalitions Director will lead the effort to convene and amplify voices from advocacy groups, think tanks, academia, labor, faith communities, industry, and the national security space in support of AI guardrails.

Reporting to the Vice President of Communications, the Coalitions Director owns ARI’s coalition strategy as it expands. The Coalitions Director will bring on and manage two Coalition Organizers, and steer engagement with a wide set of partners and communities (e.g., youth, faith, labor, civil rights, national security, academia, etc.) to highlight broad support for AI safeguards.

Our Ideal Candidate

We’re looking for someone who has experience:

• Building partnerships with organizations and individuals working across issue areas and ideologies.
• Educating advocacy groups and thought leaders about tech policy.
• Developing strategy for mobilizing third-party support for legislative campaigns.
• Structuring and managing grants, retainers, consultants, vendors, or other paid partnerships.
• Building out a department, creating systems, delegating effectively, and communicating priorities upward.
• Has experience managing direct reports.
• Is eager to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Can manage a diverse workload.
• Has strong interest in AI and technology policy.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop medium- and long-term strategic plans for coalition building with advocacy groups, think tanks, academics, thought leaders, and industry partners.
• Manage two Coalition Organizers, responsible for engaging a range of interest groups including youth, faith, labor, civil rights, national security, and academic voices.
• Mobilize external partners to participate in coalition letters, in-person and virtual panels, grassroots campaigns, and other forms of policy advocacy.
• Work closely with ARI communications staff providing direct pitching, media training, and comms support to coalition allies.
• Identify and cultivate new partnership opportunities to expand ARI’s sphere of influence.
• Maintain and strengthen existing coalition relationships through regular engagement and value creation.

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• In coordination with the Policy and Communications teams, create new and engaging educational materials for coalition building.
• Represent ARI at political and advocacy events in D.C. and across the country.
• Closely collaborate with Operations, Policy, and Communications teams to design, develop, and execute speaking events, conferences, and other events that external partners can participate in.
• Develop and maintain systems, policies, and procedures to build ARI’s coalition capabilities.

Qualifications

Required

• 6+ years of experience in legislative advocacy and external affairs.
• Strong knowledge of the federal and state policy advocacy landscapes.
• Existing relationships with national advocacy organizations across multiple issue areas.
• Strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to communicate policy ideas and legislative proposals concisely and effectively to external partners.
• Flexibility for some travel.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to juggle simultaneous priorities.
• Ability to think creatively, exercise sound judgment, and work independently.

Preferred

• A Bachelor’s Degree in political science, public relations, and/or campaign communications.
• Experience managing full-time direct report(s).
• Experience working in a non-profit setting.
• Strong knowledge of AI policy.

Compensation, Benefits, and Location

This is a full-time position based in Washington, DC. Relocation assistance may be available. ARI maintains a flexible hybrid work schedule (working in-person Tuesday-Thursday and remote on Monday and Friday).

The salary range for this role is $150,000–$180,000, commensurate with experience.

ARI offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance: 85% of healthcare, vision, and dental insurance premiums are covered for employees, partners, and dependents.
• Discretionary PTO and ~20 office holidays, including all Federal holidays and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with 6% Employer Match.
• Professional Development Stipend: Up to $2,500 annually to be used towards building new knowledge and skills.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Dependent Care FSA, Medical FSA, Transit FSA, and Parking FSA.
• Basic Life, Basic AD&D, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability: 100% employer-paid with the option to elect for employee-paid supplemental coverage.
• Wellness Benefit: $150/month taxable stipend to support physical and mental well-being.
• Internet & Utilities Reimbursement: $150/month taxable stipend to cover internet and utilities expenses from remote work.
• Home Office Expenses for New Employees: up to $500 to all new full-time employees for home office set-up expenses.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter, and a sample of work that documents a coalitional campaign that you’ve led professionally. The priority deadline for this role is August 7.

Application Materials

1. Resume.

2. One-page campaign case study: Describe a coalition, advocacy, or external-affairs campaign you personally led or played a principal role in. It should cover:

• The campaign’s objective and political or policy context.
• Your specific role and strategic/decision-making authority.
• How you identified, recruited, and supported partners.
• The tactics used, such as letters, events, grasstops outreach, media, grassroots activation, or direct policymaker engagement.
• Any budget, grants, consultants, vendors, or staff you managed.
• The campaign’s results and how success was measured.

3. Cover letter (optional, not to exceed one page).

Application Process

We plan to use the following steps for this hiring process. We are aiming for the person in this role to start by mid-September.

1. Application Review: Our team will review submitted applications and decide whom to advance to the next step of the process.
2. Hiring Manager Interview: Virtual 1:1 conversation with the Hiring Manager.
3. Hiring Exercise: A roughly 3-hour hiring exercise. Candidates who submit an exercise will be compensated for their time.
4. Final Interview: In-person panel interview at our office.
5. Reference Checks: We’ll ask for references from the top candidate(s) to help us confirm and/or make a final decision.

Due to the anticipated volume of applications, we may not be able to respond to every applicant in a timely manner. We apologize in advance for any communication delays.

ARI is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Non-Employee Referral Bonus

Know a great fit for any roles for which we’re hiring? We value your network and will reward non-employees for successful referrals to help us attract and hire the very best talent to advance our mission.

If you refer a candidate who receives and accepts our offer, you’ll receive a referral bonus of $3,000*.

*To qualify:

• The candidate must list your name as the referral source in the application.
• The candidate must receive and accept the offer.
• The candidate must start and remain employed with us for at least 30 days.

To participate in this program, you must be a legal resident of the United States. If the referral is successfully hired by ARI, an ARI representative will contact you to obtain the required documents (e.g., W9) to receive the referral bonus. The bonus will be paid within 60 days after the candidate has completed the required 30-day tenure period and the required documents have been submitted.