Location: Geneva, Switzerland (remote possible)
Workload: Full-time
Start date: As soon as possible
Deadline: August 21st, review on rolling basis
About SI
The Simon Institute for Longterm Governance (SI) is a Geneva-based think tank working at the intersection of frontier AI governance and international diplomacy. Our namesake, Herbert Simon, is a Nobel laureate and Turing Award winner who pioneered work on bounded rationality, AI, and decision-making, and led exchanges between Western and Chinese researchers. Similarly, we analyze trends and ecosystems, convene experts, advise decision-makers, and build bridges between governments, companies, the multilateral system, and frontier tech experts.
In our 5 years of existence, we have put AI governance on the agenda at the UN, played a key role in launching the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and the Global Dialogue on AI Governance, shaped multilateral AI governance from the OECD to UNDRR, and become a trusted adviser to key policy and industry stakeholders across China, Europe, and the US. As an impartial facilitator with technical expertise, we are now expanding our focus on frontier AI diplomacy to reduce the risk that advanced AI will further destabilize great-power relations. In doing so, we hope to contribute to technological progress that lastingly improves all people’s livelihoods.
The role
SI is looking for a Communications Lead to shape and tell our story. Much of our work happens behind closed doors — your job is to make SI legible and compelling to our partners.
This is a narrative role. In direct support of the leadership team, you’ll craft the through-line that connects our institutional identity — named after Herbert Simon, who pioneered work on bounded rationality, AI, and decision-making, and led academic exchanges between Western and Chinese researchers — to our current work on frontier AI diplomacy. You’ll contextualize our outputs (trip reports, event recaps, policy briefs) and turn them into content that builds our reputation; support SI fundraising by telling our impact story; and 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.
The 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. We’re a small team, for now — you should be comfortable doing what needs to be done.
Concretely, you will:
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 — ensuring consistency across all communications.
- Write and edit high-quality content: blog posts, event recaps, trip reports, 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 and analyze 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
- Provide editing and layout support for briefs, memos, and other documents.
- Support events and institution-wide initiatives as needed.
- Stay current on the AI governance landscape to ensure communications are timely and well-informed.
There is room to shape the exact mix of these responsibilities according to your skills and experience; during the application process we want to learn about the kind of work that would suit you best.
What we look for
Essential:
- Experience. 5+ years in communications, ideally in tech diplomacy.
- Exceptional writing and editing. 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.
- 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 and discretion. Much of our work is confidential. You can navigate complex stakeholder relationships, anticipate reputational and operational risks, and have good instincts about what can and can’t be shared.
- Self-direction. You identify what needs doing and do it, taking full ownership without waiting to be told.
- Team play. You coordinate proactively, document and plan effectively, state your uncertainties and assumptions transparently, and give honest feedback because you care for others’ growth.
- Mission alignment. You care about transformative AI going well for humanity, across borders.
- Impact-driven. You are motivated by making a difference, and willing to update your plans if new evidence suggests something else would move the needle more.
Bonus:
- Experience in the context of international dialogue and mediation.
- Experience managing cross-cultural projects or programs.
- Experience in a rapidly growing work environment.
- Familiarity with the AI governance ecosystem.
- People-management experience.
- Mandarin proficiency.
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 help shape how the world governs this technology.
- Systemic thinking. Our team engages seriously with hard problems. You’ll be surrounded by people who care about getting things right.
- Room to lead and 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.
- We care. Competitive salary of CHF 104,000–144,000 (commensurate with experience; an equivalent remote package is available), 7 weeks of annual leave, generous parental leave, professional development budget, and flexible home-office arrangements.
Location
SI maintains its HQ in Geneva and prioritizes local team clusters. SI employs international staff and has experience navigating permit processes but cannot guarantee visas for any jurisdiction.
How to apply
Our hiring process is designed to be transparent and respectful of your time:
- Application: Submit your application via the application form. We are hiring for several related roles — feel free to indicate any other SI openings that could fit you.
- Screening call: Selected candidates will be invited to a 15–25 minute call with our hiring partner, Impact Ops.
- Work test: An assignment of approximately 3 hours with presentation.
- Interview: Interview with your prospective manager.
- Work trial: A 1-day in-person trial in Geneva.
- References: We will ask for 2–3 references from people you have worked with.
SI will cover reasonable costs for the work test and the work trial.
There’s no such thing as a “perfect” candidate. If you’re on the fence about applying because you’re unsure whether you’re qualified, we’d encourage you to apply.
