Executive Director for AIS Brussels - Expression of interest

gergo; ENAIS

TL;DR

ENAIS is teaming up with community builders from Brussels to seed AIS Brussels. 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 Belgium 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 Brussels

Location

Brussels, Belgium (Preferred) / Remote within Belgium

About AIS Brussels

AIS Brussels is a new organization focused on advancing the field of AI safety and ethical AI governance within the European Union. The founder of AIS Brussels 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 Brussels 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 Brussels’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 Brussels, designing programs aligned with the organization's mission to advance AI governance.
- Develop and launch programs, including educational courses, career support, and community-building activities to connect and support professionals in Brussels’ AI policy landscape.
Leadership and community building
- Lead efforts to create a dynamic AI safety community in Brussels, connecting students and professionals across AI governance, policy, 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
- Develop partnerships with think tanks, universities, and other organizations to offer career support and networking opportunities.
Program prioritization and implementation
- Work with the board to launch initial programs, including local meetups, mid-career-focused educational courses, and networking initiatives, beginning in early 2025.
- Adjust program strategies based on insights and the evolving needs of the Brussels AI safety ecosystem.
Operational and organizational leadership
- Oversee the operational setup of AIS Brussels, 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 Brussels 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 governance roles in Brussels, providing mentorship and key connections within the “Brussels bubble.”
- Educational programs: Implement specialized courses, such as Bluedot or CAIS-type programs, aimed at students or mid-career professionals. Follow up with participants to help them find meaningful roles in AI governance.
Building a supportive and impactful community
- Networking events and retreats: Organize gatherings and retreats to unite people in AI governance, encourage collaboration, and foster new ideas.
- Forming AI safety groups: Establish city- and university-based AI Safety groups to build a network of professionals and students knowledgeable about AI risks.
- Policy fellowships and visitor Programs: Create fellowship programs for mid-career professionals to gain experience at Brussels-based AI policy organizations, contributing to the broader community's impact.

As AIS Brussels grows, the Executive Director may work with consultants to help identify and prioritize high-impact activities, refining the program strategy based on Brussels'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 governance: Familiarity with AI safety concepts, knowledge of the EU policy landscape and understanding of governance frameworks is necessary.

Ideal candidate profiles

AIS Brussels 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 mid-career 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 governance.

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 Brussels and will aim to offer a competitive salary to a contractor in the range of 80,000 EUR - 120,000 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 Belgium

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.