Communications Director and Staff Director

📋 Description

• • The Future of Life Institute (CARMA) is seeking an exceptional and highly motivated individual to fill a unique dual role as Communications Director and Staff Director. This pivotal position is designed for a strategic thinker and a hands-on executor, crucial for advancing CARMA's vital mission to mitigate catastrophic risks from increasingly powerful AI systems. As a lean, focused organization tackling one of humanity's most significant technological challenges, CARMA thrives on a structure where team members embrace complementary responsibilities. A foundational understanding of the AI safety and governance landscape is therefore a prerequisite for success in this role.
• • This combined role is a strategic imperative, ensuring both critical communications functions and high-level organizational support receive dedicated leadership. You will be instrumental in shaping how CARMA communicates its complex work with clarity and impact, while simultaneously ensuring the organization operates with maximum efficiency and effectiveness. This is an unparalleled opportunity to contribute meaningfully to AI safety and governance during a pivotal period in technological development.
• • While the position is fully remote and open globally, occasional travel for essential team meetings and events will be required, with all expenses fully reimbursed.
• • *Communications Leadership Functions:**
• • Develop, refine, and implement CARMA's comprehensive communications strategy across a diverse range of channels, ensuring consistent messaging and brand integrity.
• • Provide strategic guidance and hands-on support to program staff in crafting compelling blog posts, research summaries, and other content that effectively translates complex AI safety and governance concepts for various audiences, from technical experts to policymakers and the general public.
• • Actively manage and grow CARMA's social media presence, developing thoughtful, engaging content and maintaining a consistent cadence to maximize reach and impact.
• • Ensure all communications maintain the highest standards of scientific accuracy and rigor, while simultaneously being accessible, persuasive, and impactful to key stakeholders.
• • Collaborate closely with researchers and policy experts to develop compelling narratives that highlight the significance and urgency of their work, translating intricate research into understandable and actionable insights.
• • Oversee the creation and dissemination of reports, white papers, and other key organizational outputs, ensuring they are polished, professional, and effectively communicate CARMA's findings and recommendations.
• • Monitor communication trends and best practices in the AI safety and nonprofit sectors, adapting strategies to ensure CARMA remains at the forefront of effective communication.
• • *Staff Director Functions:**
• • Serve as a trusted right-hand to the Executive Director, providing high-level strategic support, helping to prioritize initiatives, and proactively managing organizational workflows to ensure smooth operations.
• • Establish, implement, and maintain robust cross-organizational systems for tracking project progress, key deliverables, and strategic objectives, ensuring accountability and timely execution.
• • Act as a central facilitator for information flow between diverse teams and leadership, ensuring alignment on priorities, fostering collaboration, and proactively identifying and addressing potential bottlenecks.
• • Lead and manage special projects that require significant cross-functional coordination, bringing together different parts of the organization to achieve strategic goals.
• • Draft, implement, and refine organizational policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with fiscal sponsor requirements while also meeting CARMA's unique operational needs and strategic objectives.
• • Support the Executive Director in strategic planning processes, contributing insights on operational feasibility and resource allocation.
• • *Operational Oversight Functions:**
• • Act as a key liaison between CARMA team members and our fiscal sponsor (Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs, Inc.), which manages many of our back-office functions, to efficiently resolve administrative challenges, with the dedicated assistance of an Executive Assistant.
• • Co-manage the Executive Assistant, ensuring efficient and effective administrative operations, delegation of tasks, and support for the broader team.
• • Ensure timely and accurate follow-through on all operational matters, including HR processes, financial disbursements, compliance requirements, and reporting obligations.
• • Develop, maintain, and update critical organizational documentation, including organizational charts, reporting structures, internal protocols, and operational manuals, ensuring clarity and accessibility.
• • Contribute to the continuous improvement of CARMA's operational efficiency, identifying opportunities for process optimization and resource enhancement.
• • Support the onboarding and integration of new team members, ensuring they have the resources and information needed to succeed.
• • Proactively identify and address potential operational risks or challenges, developing mitigation strategies and implementing solutions.
• • Foster a culture of operational excellence and accountability throughout the organization.