Senior Policy Manager

About OpenMined

OpenMined is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation that brings together leading minds in AI, security, and privacy technology to develop open-source solutions that transform how data can be accessed and shared. Founded in 2017, we've grown into a global community of over 18,000 members working to ensure that privacy protection and AI innovation reinforce each other rather than undermine one another.

We are driven by a simple challenge: the most valuable data for solving humanity's greatest challenges remains locked away due to privacy concerns, and we can change that through technology rather than compromise.

About the Role

We're seeking a Senior Policy Manager, based in Washington, DC, to lead our US policy work. This role will be instrumental in advancing OpenMined's nonprofit mission to build the infrastructure that lets AI be overseen and built in public. One half of our work gives regulators, researchers, and independent evaluators a way to examine AI systems with privacy and IP protected. The other half gives people a way to combine models and data into AI that no single company controls.

You’ll translate both halves of our technical work for US policymakers and make legible why it matters. Reporting to our Director of Research & Policy, and working closely with our Executive Director, this role is for a policy entrepreneur who can help us build OpenMined into a trusted tech-policy voice in Washington.

Location

While OpenMined is a remote organization and you’ll work from home, this role is based in Washington, DC. The job depends on being in the city to regularly attend in-person meetings with policymakers, agency staff, and partners.

Responsibilities

• Policy Strategy & Education
• Lead OpenMined’s US policy agenda on AI oversight and verification, covering independent evaluation, secure model access for regulators and researchers, and attribution-based control
• Develop OpenMined’s US position on network-source AI and make the case to policymakers
• Staff the Executive Director for principal-level meetings, briefings, and roundtables
• Identify critical policy windows and track Washington developments proactively
• Build relationships with key stakeholders in Congress, the Administration, Relevant Agencies, and select state governments
• Represent OpenMined in policy forums, consultations, and working groups
• Build coalitions with privacy-tech companies, research institutions, and civil society organizations to advance common policy goals
• Cross-functional Collaboration
• Work closely with Product and Engineering teams to inform technical development and infrastructure investment decisions, as well as operationalize policy strategy
• Work closely with Partnerships team to represent OpenMined in federal AI research programs including the NAIRR and the Genesis Mission
• Collaborate with internal and community researchers to translate technical innovations into policy recommendations
• Coordinate with global policy colleagues to ensure consistent messaging and approach
• Support Leadership in developing policy-informed partnership frameworks and deployment strategies
• Thought Leadership
• Author blog posts, research papers, and policy briefs (see Policy Blog for ideas)
• Speak at conferences and events
• Contribute to public consultations and regulatory impact assessments

Requirements

• Must-Haves
• Based in Washington, DC, or willing to relocate before start
• 5+ years of experience in US technology policy
• Technical literacy sufficient to engage engineers in depth (a CS degree is not required)
• Experience in government service, including fellowships
• Proven track record of successful policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement
• Experience translating between technical and policy communities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Deep commitment to privacy, open source, and countering concentrations of power
• A self-directed policy entrepreneur who creates opportunities rather than waiting for them
• Willingness to travel roughly once a month on average, for conferences and policy events, and occasional partner visits. Most of this is domestic; some is international
• Preferred (Nice-to-Haves)
• Advanced degree in law, public policy, computer science, or related field
• Experience working with open-source projects and communities
• Experience with federal research or science programs