Head of National Security Policy - APAC

📋 Description

• • OpenAI is at the forefront of developing artificial intelligence, with a mission to ensure that general-purpose AI benefits all of humanity. To achieve this ambitious goal, effective engagement with public policy stakeholders and the broader community impacted by AI is paramount. The Global Affairs team at OpenAI is dedicated to building authentic, collaborative relationships with public officials and the AI policymaking community. This involves informing and supporting shared work in these critical domains, ensuring that insights from policymakers shape our development, and collaborating with colleagues and external stakeholders to align policy with OpenAI's mission.
• • This senior individual contributor role, reporting to OpenAI’s global Head of National Security Policy, is pivotal in advancing OpenAI’s engagement with the national security community across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. The successful candidate will be instrumental in leading OpenAI’s security and technology policy engagement within APAC, directly supporting the company's regional strategy. You will serve as OpenAI’s primary policy representative, addressing matters related to defense, security, and AI policy throughout the region. Your role will be to position OpenAI as a trusted partner for national security stakeholders, engaging with allied and partner governments, regional multilateral fora, and key security institutions.
• • A core aspect of this position involves building and sustaining robust, senior-level relationships with key government entities across the APAC region. This includes ministries of defense, foreign affairs, intelligence agencies, and cybersecurity bodies. You will also engage with significant regional frameworks such as ASEAN, AUKUS, and the Quad, as well as relevant national capitals, fostering a deep understanding of their security priorities and policy landscapes.
• • You will be responsible for representing OpenAI externally in high-level discussions with senior officials, lawmakers, and representatives of multilateral bodies. This includes active participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms like the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), as well as engaging in regional security dialogues and Track 1/1.5 diplomatic channels where appropriate. Your representation will be crucial in conveying OpenAI's perspective and fostering collaboration.
• • Leading external engagement with a diverse range of influential organizations is another key responsibility. This includes think tanks, research institutions, industry groups, and working bodies focused on AI, security, and resilience. You will anchor these engagements around prominent convenings such as the Shangri-La Dialogue and the Raisina Dialogue, ensuring OpenAI's voice is heard and its contributions are recognized in these critical forums.
• • Close coordination with the dedicated APAC regional team is essential. You will also serve as a vital cross-functional connector, bridging the gap between APAC-specific efforts and OpenAI’s broader global policy team. This ensures alignment between regional initiatives and the overarching national security strategy, promoting a cohesive approach to policy engagement.
• • A significant part of your role will involve tracking and actively shaping policy developments that impact AI in defense, intelligence, dual-use technologies, and export controls. This is particularly crucial in the context of Indo-Pacific security cooperation and defense innovation pathways, where AI is rapidly transforming capabilities and strategies.
• • You will be tasked with drafting clear, concise, and impactful policy products. These will include briefs, memos, and government responses that address the national security and public safety implications of advanced AI. These documents must be meticulously tailored to regional priorities and specific cooperation mechanisms, ensuring their relevance and effectiveness.
• • Furthermore, you will advise internal OpenAI teams on strategic opportunities to enhance regional resilience and scale the beneficial uses of AI. This includes applications in democratic security, defense modernization, disaster response, and critical infrastructure protection, all aligned with the priorities of organizations like ASEAN, the Pacific Islands Forum, and other key partner initiatives.
• • This role offers flexibility in location, with possibilities in Singapore, Tokyo, or Sydney. It requires regular travel throughout the APAC region and occasional trips to the United States to facilitate comprehensive engagement and relationship building.