Executive Director for AIS France - Expression of interest

gergo; ENAIS

TLDR:

ENAIS is teaming up with community builders from Paris to seed AIS France. You can read about the role below, and if you would be interested in founding such an organisation, fill out the expression of interest form linked above. We are currently in discussions with funders about seeding city and national groups across the world, so we would like to get a better sense of the local talent pool that would be interested in starting such an initiative.

If you are not based in France but are interested in community building, you can fill out the same form and indicate the location from where you would like to start a group.

Job title

Executive Director – AIS France

Location

Paris, France (Preferred) / Remote within France

About AIS France

AIS France will be an organization focused on advancing the field of AI safety and ethical AI governance within France and the EU. The founder of AIS France will work to build AI governance and technical talent, provide career advice, run courses and foster connections among members of the local and global AI Safety community.

Position summary

AIS France will need a skilled and forward-thinking leader to serve as its founding Executive Director. In this foundational role, you'll guide the organization's growth, build its network, and develop its impact strategy. The Executive Director will be responsible for establishing AIS France’s initial programs and partnerships, focusing on community-building, talent development, and educational outreach. The role calls for someone with a deep understanding of AI Safety, and experience in project and people management.

Key responsibilities

Strategic vision and program development
- Shape the strategic direction of AIS France, designing programs aligned with the organization's mission to advance AI safety, based on insights and the evolving needs of the French AI safety ecosystem.
- Develop and launch programs, including educational courses, career support, and community-building activities to connect and support professionals in France’s AI policy landscape.
Community building
- Lead efforts to create a dynamic AI safety community in France, connecting students and professionals across AI governance and technical research, and related fields.
- Organize networking events, facilitate AI safety meetups, and establish groups to build a collaborative and supportive community.
Talent development and career support
- Provide resources and guidance to help individuals find impactful roles in AI governance and technical research
- Develop partnerships with think tanks, universities, and other organizations to offer career support and networking opportunities.
Operational and organizational leadership
- Oversee the operational setup of AIS France, including budgeting, compliance, staffing, and organizational development.
- Collaborate with board members to ensure that the organization's programs and goals align with its mission and long-term objectives.

Program strategy and potential initiatives

AIS France will focus on two primary objectives:

Channeling talent to high-impact roles
- Career advice and connections: Build a team dedicated to helping professionals transition into AI safety roles in France, providing mentorship and key connections within the French policy ecosystem.
- Educational programs: Implement specialised courses, such as BlueDot or CAIS-type programs, aimed at students or experienced professionals. Follow up with participants to help them find meaningful roles in AI safety.
Building a supportive community
- Networking events and retreats: Organize gatherings and retreats to unite people in AI safety, encourage collaboration, and foster new ideas.
- Policy fellowships and visitor programs: Create fellowship programs for mid-career professionals to gain experience at Paris-based AI policy organisations, contributing to the broader community's impact.
- Forming AI Safety Groups: Establish city- and university-based AI Safety groups to build a network of professionals and students knowledgeable about AI risks.

As AIS France grows, the Executive Director may work with advisors and consultants to help identify and prioritize high-impact activities, refining the program strategy based on France’s needs and opportunities.

Qualifications

Strategic and visionary leader: Experienced in guiding organizations or programs, ideally within the nonprofit, policy, or technology sectors.
Relationship builder: Strong network in AI policy, governance, or related fields, with a proven ability to build effective partnerships.
Operational skills: Skilled in managing budgets, operations, and staff oversight, with experience building sustainable organizational structures.
Community development: Successful track record in fostering engaged communities through events, programs, and partnerships.
Understanding of AI safety: Familiarity with AI safety concepts, knowledge of the French and EU policy landscape

Potential candidate profiles

AIS France is open to candidates from a variety of professional backgrounds who bring experience in one or more of the following areas:

Policy connector: Experienced in the EU policy space, with skills in organizing events and building strategic alliances.
Educator: Skilled program managers with expertise in AI safety education, ideally focused on experienced professionals.
Consultant: Able to identify and assess field-building needs within the EU policy sphere, working with different stakeholders to design and implement projects.
Community organizer: Skilled in community management, event planning, and outreach, committed to fostering collaboration in AI safety.

Compensation & benefits

We would like to make it clear that the organisation's funding has not yet been secured. We are currently in discussion with funders about the project and plan to either hold an open hiring process or help the top candidate(s) apply for funding themselves. For this reason, we recommend filling out the EOI form and not waiting for the public job announcement.

We are currently fundraising for AIS France and will aim to offer a competitive salary to a contractor in the range of 55,000 EUR - 80,000 EUR (gross, which equals ~42-62k EUR post-tax), based on experience, along with a comprehensive benefits package, including:

30 days of paid leave
Flexible working arrangements
Professional development support and advising
Community engagement - participating in team-building activities and retreats organised by the European Network for AI Safety and other community-builders in France

How to register your interest

Please sign up on the form linked below. EOIs will be reviewed on a rolling basis. As mentioned above, we will either hold an open hiring round or help the top candidate(s) to fundraise independently, so early submissions are encouraged.