Communications Manager

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

ARI is seeking a Communications Manager for Frontier AI Safety to help drive public understanding and policy momentum on some of the most urgent questions in AI governance. This role sits at the intersection of communications, government affairs, and policy, translating complex ideas into compelling narratives and grassroots momentum that shape how lawmakers, journalists, and the public understand AI.

Reporting to the VP of Communications, the Communications Manager will play a critical role in advancing ARI’s work on key issues including frontier safety, interpretability, and the federal oversight of advanced AI models. This person will help ensure ARI is not just part of the conversation, but shapes it.

The Communications Manager will also help strengthen the communications infrastructure of existing AI safety organizations that regularly engage on policy but lack in-house comms, media relationships, or rapid-response systems. This person will provide communications support functions for AI safety organizations, covering media engagement, message discipline, op-ed drafting, and crisis response.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage proactive and reactive media communications for a portfolio of issues related to frontier AI risks.
• Work closely with ARI’s policy, government affairs, and coalitions teams to design strategic media campaigns in support of policy objectives.
• Draft, edit, and pitch media statements and exclusives with national news outlets.
• Monitor the media and policy landscape and identify opportunities for ARI to engage quickly and effectively.
• Develop shared communications templates, rapid-response toolkits, talking points, and narrative frameworks that provide support across the AI safety community.
• Help partners develop rapid-response plans that identify spokespeople, messaging, and approval flows for key scenarios (preemption threats, export-control rollbacks, safety incidents, etc.).
• Publish timely online commentary in coordination with the policy team and ensure ARI is there first in key moments of public debate.
• Sustain a drumbeat of coverage and content that builds momentum and focuses policymaker attention on priority issues.

Qualifications

Required

• 4–5+ years of experience in policy communications, public affairs, or policy advocacy.
• Strong writer with the ability to translate complex policy issues into clear, compelling language.
• Experience working on technology and AI policy.
• Proven ability to engage with media and contribute to successful communications campaigns.
• Sound judgment and comfort operating in fast-moving, high-stakes policy environments.
• Previous professional engagement on artificial intelligence and its societal impacts.

Preferred

• An established digital presence and a track record of engaging relevant audiences on online platforms.
• On-the-record media experience.

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 $115,000–$135,000, commensurate with experience.

ARI offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Healthcare 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.
• 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.
• Professional Development Stipend: Up to $2,500 annually to be used towards building new knowledge and skills.
• 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.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Dependent Care FSA, Medical FSA, Transit FSA, and Parking FSA.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter, and two writing samples reflecting relevant communications work. The priority deadline for this role is September 30.

Anticipated Hiring Process

We plan to use the following steps for this hiring process. We are aiming for the person in this role to start by the end of June.

1. Application Review: Our team will review submitted applications and make a decision on who to move forward 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. Panel Interview: In-person panel interview at our office.
5. Finalist Interview: In-person interview with the President.
6. 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.

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 for any role at the Director and Vice President level, and $1,500 for all other positions.

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.

Pay Range 115000 - 135000 USD