Senior AI Strategist

AIR’s AI portfolio of work generates evidence, convenes and connects leaders across sectors, and translates research into practical guidance and capacity building. Key initiatives include the AI Century Study (a 100-year national longitudinal cohort study tracking how AI shapes human development), sector-specific AI evidence generation networks, strategic partnerships, and thought leadership. 

AIR seeks a Senior AI Strategist to join its AI initiatives team within the Growth Office. This senior role is designed for an experienced professional who brings deep expertise in AI strategy, cross-sector partnership development, and external engagement—and who has the judgment and relationships to help AIR establish itself as a credible, independent voice on AI’s implications for human development and public systems. 

The Senior AI Strategist will lead substantive workstreams, shape external engagement strategy, contribute to thought leadership and eminence building, and play a key role in business development. This role requires someone who can operate at both the strategic and executional levels—setting direction for key initiatives while also producing high-quality deliverables and sustaining meaningful external relationships. The ideal candidate has deep familiarity with at least one sector, established networks across public, private, and philanthropic domains, and the instincts to help AIR navigate a fast-moving AI landscape with credibility and rigor. 

This is a time-limited position expected to last 24 months. The selected candidate will work full-time on AIR’s AI initiatives, with a focus on advancing partnership development, with potential for extension at AIR’s discretion and continued business need. 

This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of AIR’s U.S. office locations. This does not include U.S. territories. 

About AIR:

Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Thought Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of key strategic initiatives, including sector-specific evidence generation networks, expert engagement programs, and eminence-building efforts. 
• Contribute to the ongoing refinement of AIR’s AI strategy, operating model, and value proposition, working closely with the Managing Director of AI and Growth Office leadership. 
• Monitor and interpret AI-related developments across policy, technology, and practice, synthesizing insights into strategic recommendations for AIR’s leadership and external partners.
• Author or co-author high-quality external thought leadership, including white papers, research briefs, blog posts, and conference presentations that advances AIR’s visibility and credibility on AI topics. 
• Represent AIR at high-visibility conferences, convenings, and stakeholder engagements related to AI and human development.

Partnership Development and External Engagement  

• Build and sustain strategic partnerships with senior leaders in government, philanthropy, academia, and the private sector aligned with AIR’s AI priorities, including advancing relationships from initial engagement towards sustained collaboration. 
• Lead outreach and cultivation for high-value relationships, including sector experts, advisory board members, and cross-sector collaborators. 
• Develop and deliver materials for senior-level external meetings, including concept notes, briefings, and strategic proposals that clearly articulate AIR’s value proposition and pathway to collaboration. 
• Utilize conferences and convenings to make strategic connections, document insights, and advance mission-aligned partnership opportunities. 
• Contribute to the development of tailored engagement strategies across multiple sectors and domains. 

Business Development

• Lead or co-lead early-stage opportunity shaping and proposal development for AI-related funding opportunities, inclu