Beschreibung

Employment: Full-time
Experience: 5+ years in communications, ideally in tech policy

The Role
The Simon Institute for Longterm Governance (SI) is looking for a Communications Lead to shape and tell our story. We work at the intersection of frontier AI governance and international diplomacy – convening experts, advising policymakers, and building bridges between governments, companies, and the multilateral system. Much of our work happens behind closed doors. Your job is to make SI legible and compelling to the partners who trust us every day.
This is a narrative role. In direct support of the leadership team, you'll craft the through-line that connects our institutional identity (we're named after Herbert Simon, the Nobel laureate who pioneered work on bounded rationality, AI, and decision-making) to our current work on frontier AI diplomacy (Simon also led various academic exchanges between Western and Chinese researchers).
You'll contextualize our outputs – trip reports, event recaps, policy briefs – and turn them into content that builds our reputation. You'll write grant applications that tell a story funders want to fund. You'll maintain our public presence with a light touch: a sharp newsletter, thoughtful blog posts, and a social media presence that signals seriousness without being boring.
This role combines strategic communications leadership with hands-on execution. Roughly 60% of your time will involve writing and editing — blog posts, grant applications, newsletters, internal briefs, annual reports. The other 40% involves managing SI's communications infrastructure and supporting fundraising efforts. We're a small team; you'll eventually have junior support for routine tasks, but for now, you should be comfortable doing what needs to be done.

What you'll do
Shape SI's narrative and public presence
Implement SI's comms strategy and maintain our core narrative – who we are, why we exist, what makes us distinctive – and ensure consistency across all communications
Write and edit high-quality content: blog posts, event recaps, trip reports, explainers, and the monthly newsletter
Contextualize SI's work for different audiences – making technical and diplomatic work accessible without dumbing it down
Identify opportunities to position SI in relevant conversations – media, partnerships, publications, events
Manage SI's website, social media (LinkedIn, X, Bluesky), and other public profiles
Support fundraising through writing
Draft grant applications and funding proposals in collaboration with leadership
Create fundraising materials – pitch decks, one-pagers, donor updates, annual reports
Help maintain donor relationships through clear, compelling communication
Provide editorial and analytical support
Edit and improve the team's written outputs — briefs, memos, strategy documents
Support events and institution-wide initiatives as needed
Stay current on the AI governance landscape to ensure communications are timely and well-informed

What we're looking for
Essential
Exceptional writing and editing skills. You can write a compelling newsletter, a tight grant application, and a nuanced policy explainer. You have range.
Substantive fluency. You can engage with frontier AI governance, international relations, and policy debates at a level that earns credibility with experts. You don't need to be a technical researcher, but you need to understand the terrain.
Narrative instinct. You see how individual pieces connect into a larger story. You can spot the interesting angle and know how to frame it.
Judgment about audiences. You understand that the same information lands differently with diplomats, funders, AI researchers, and the general public. You adapt accordingly.
Self-direction. You can identify what needs doing and do it. You don't wait to be told.
Confidentiality and discretion. Much of our work is sensitive. You have good instincts about what can and can't be shared.

Preferred
Experience in policy communications, think tanks, or tech governance
Familiarity with the AI governance ecosystem
Grant writing experience
Cross-cultural communication experience, particularly with US, European, and Asian contexts
Languages beyond fluent written & oral English (Mandarin, French or German are particularly useful)

Why SI
Work that matters. We're working on one of the most consequential challenges of our time – ensuring that transformative AI benefits humanity. You'll be part of shaping how the world governs this technology.
Intellectual depth. Our team engages seriously with hard problems. You'll be surrounded by people who care about getting things right.
Room to grow. This role can evolve with you – into a director position, expanded media work, or deeper involvement in programming. We're building something, and the right person will help shape what it becomes.
Geneva. A beautiful city at the heart of international governance, with a strong quality of life, and the Alps on your doorstep.
We care. A living wage of CHF 90,000 to 140,000, alongside generous parental leave and many other benefits, so that you can focus on getting things done.

How to apply
The initial application just takes 30 minutes – we don’t want to waste your time, as the competition is strong. All we ask you is to fill out this form with basic information about yourself and a small work test.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, starting as of January 5th. We aim to move quickly with strong candidates.