Special Projects Associate

The Special Projects Associate will partner with the Executive Director and Managing Director to identify, evaluate, and launch new initiatives at the earliest stages of CAIS’s project pipeline. The role involves leading the full lifecycle of projects, from investigation to delivery, and coordinating with researchers, vendors, and stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (public policy, international relations, computer science, or similar) ; an advanced degree is a plus but not required.
• 1–2 years in startups, business operations, program/project management, consulting, or a closely related area.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment.
• Strong analytical skills for evaluating project feasibility, impact, and risk.
• Excellent written and verbal skills; able to present complex ideas clearly to diverse technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated success managing multiple workstreams, deadlines, and stakeholder communications simultaneously.
• Experience coordinating events, processes, or other operational logistics.
• Self-motivated and comfortable working independently to drive projects forward.
• Proficiency with project-management platforms, spreadsheets, and basic financial/budget tracking.
• Strong interest in AI safety, emerging technologies, and mitigating catastrophic risks.

Benefits

• Health insurance for you and your dependents
• 401K plan + 4% matching
• Unlimited PTO
• Lunch and dinner at the office
• Annual Professional Development Stipend