Program Manager

Overview

The Center for AI Safety (CAIS) is a leading research and advocacy organization focused on mitigating societal-scale risks from AI. We address AI’s toughest challenges through technical research, field-building initiatives, and policy engagement, along with our other organization, the Center for AI Safety Action Fund.

We’re seeking a highly skilled Program Manager who is excited by our mission to develop and promote the field of AI safety. This is a part-time (contract) role designed to provide flexible support on high-priority projects, with the potential to scale up or down based on needs. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of project management techniques—such as stakeholder management and project planning—and the ability to adapt to a diverse range of projects.

In this role, you will lead important and impactful projects that are critical to the growth and improvement of the AI safety community, including but not limited to fellowships, workshops, publications, convenings, and policy initiatives. We pride ourselves on being interdisciplinary, and we think this is a unique and exciting opportunity to be on the forefront of this quickly evolving technical field, regardless of previous technical training.

• Type:
  Contract (1099)
• Hours:
  
  Up to 20 hours per week, with flexibility to adjust based on project needs
• Duration:
  Initial 3-month engagement, with potential for extension
• Location:
  
  Hybrid preferred (San Francisco); open to remote candidates with significant Pacific Time overlap
• Hourly Rate: $70–$85/hour, depending on experience and location

• Conduct preliminary research and exploration for new projects to establish clear goals, scope, and requirements.
• Collaborate with the Program Director (PD) to define project plans including objectives, deliverables, timelines, and resources.
• Independently gather context in new domains by consulting experts, reviewing research, and using available resources.
• Take ownership of project implementation within assigned scope and ensure delivery in line with agreed timelines and expectations.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks to ensure successful project execution, address challenges proactively, and escalate critical issues to the PD as needed.
• Ensure accurate and comprehensive project documentation and reporting, including maintaining details in the Project Management Software (PMS).
• Demonstrate agility and perseverance in the face of changing requirements, adjusting course as needed.
• Manage relationships with external partners, vendors, or stakeholders to ensure project requirements are met.
• Manage project budgets and resource utilization, including tracking expenses and ensuring alignment with financial goals.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams under the PD’s supervision and provide direction to team members or partners as appropriate.

• Taking an idea and shaping it into a project, thinking critically and strategically about scope, stakeholders, and impact.
• Developing and managing project plans, including timelines, budgets, and milestones.
• Managing a diverse set of stakeholders and keeping everyone aligned with project goals.
• Adapting quickly when internal or external factors shift.
• Getting up to speed in new domains by talking to experts, reading papers, and leveraging available resources.
• Identifying and managing project risks, and escalating effectively when necessary.
• Working autonomously, owning projects, and thriving in a small and growing organization.

• Have 3+ years of experience in program or project management. Are motivated by work focused on AI safety and risk.
• Are conscientious and produce high-quality work.
• Are adaptive and able to ramp up in new domains while staying organized.
• Are excited by joining a small, mission-driven team; collaboration and problem-solving drive you.
• Are open to feedback and committed to getting to the best outcome, even when it’s uncomfortable.
• Are energized by owning projects—managing the details without losing sight of the big picture.