Head of Operations - New AI Safety Organisation
Join our team in London and help build a new AI safety organisation focused on interpretability and auditing, with the potential for high impact and the opportunity to shape the internal culture and strategic decisions of the organisation. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, excellent organisational skills and attention to detail, this role might be for you.
Work Location: London, England (We are happy to sponsor visas for eligible applicants)
Deadline: 1 May 2023, 11:59PM Pacific Standard Time
Salary: Preliminary salary estimates $90,000-$100,000 USD
Ideal Start Date: June 2023
For more details about the role, why it’s impactful and how to tell if you’re a good fit please read below.
Background
We are currently building a new technical AI safety non-profit organisation focused on interpretability, evals and auditing. In particular, we want to develop and work on a roadmap to detecting deception in real-world models and transition more and more into auditing over time. A more detailed write-up can be found here.
The organisation will be located in London with Marius as director (with the help of other experience researchers and multiple research advisors). The early team consists of up to a handful of researchers with practical alignment research experience in interpretability and evals (e.g. selected SERI MATS scholars, PhDs in relevant fields, >1 year of independent research, research director in an ML start-up, previous direct work in AI safety).
Team Status and Style
We are currently in the process of building the organisation and many things like the exact amount of funding or the exact number of early employees are not fully determined. As in every early start-up, things can move very quickly. As the Head of Operations, a part of your job would be to navigate this uncertain environment with Marius.
All of us have relevant research experience in core parts of the agenda (e.g. PhDs, independent research or direct work). Furthermore, we have experienced research advisors who can help us with high-level research prioritization. In the beginning, we intend to do low-uncertainty projects like red-teaming, benchmarking and building challenges and then transition to more high-uncertainty & high-upside projects over time.
About the Role
As the Head of Operations, you will navigate an uncertain environment with Marius and shape a very important part of the organisation. You will be heavily involved in designing the internal culture, designing and executing our hiring process, and making strategic decisions about the future of the organisation (e.g. growth strategy, fundraising, etc.).
Responsibilities:
Design, plan and implement organisational strategies, plans and procedures
Set comprehensive goals for growth and success
Establish policies and procedures that promote company culture and vision
Oversee daily operations
Design and execute the organisation's hiring process
Collaborate with other founding members and early-stage employees
We expect the following characteristics in a successful candidate
A visionary leader with a track record of successfully owning projects, leading teams or building organisations
Proactive and results driven mindset with strong strategic and operational skills
Ability to identify and prioritise highest impact activities and find innovative solutions to problems
Organised with excellent attention to detail
Entrepreneurial mindset and passion for AI safety
Integrity and ethical behaviour
On-site in London, as the role can't be done remotely
Fulfilling these additional criteria would be beneficial
Strong communication and interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with the team
Previous experience in a startup
Knowledge of AI, machine learning and emerging technologies
Good understanding of AI safety, ethics and governance issues
Quick learner with a can do hands on attitude
We acknowledge that impostor syndrome sometimes discourages excellent candidates from applying and want to explicitly and warmly encourage you to apply even if you feel like you do not fulfil all of the above criteria.
Benefits to You
Learn and hone essential leadership skills
Responsibility and freedom to shape important parts of the organisation
Competitive salary that allows for comfortable living in central London
A steep learning curve and lots of opportunities for personal and professional growth
Work with value-aligned colleagues
Work on a meaningful and impactful project
Compensation and Logistics
Compensation: The estimated annual salary will be between 90,000 USD and 100,000 USD depending on relevant experience and skills.
We may be able to consider a higher salary for an ideal candidate who brings significant relevant work experience. Please contact us if compensation is the primary factor that would prevent you from applying.
Work Location: London, England (We are happy to sponsor visas for eligible applicants)
Deadline: 1 May 2023, 11:59PM Pacific Standard Time
Salary: Preliminary salary estimates $90,000-$100,000 USD
Ideal Start Date: June 2023
Should you apply?
We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and warmly encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. We especially encourage applications from women, black people and people of colour who are excited about contributing to our mission.
If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, or have any other questions about applying, please contact neil@eahire.org. If you have further questions about the organization or our agenda, please contact marius.hobbhahn@gmail.com.
Application Process
Our recruitment process consists of five stages.
Stage 1: Please fill out our application form
Stage 2: Initial interview (30min)
Stage 3: Take home work test (90min)
Stage 4: In depth interview (1h) + Reference checks (we will ask you for up to 2 references when you get to stage 4)
Stage 5: Potential Paid Work Trial (dependent on experience)
We plan to conclude Stage 5 by the end of May and aim to make the hiring decision as soon as possible after.
