How to apply for Editorial Director, Global Communications

About Partnership on AI (PAI)

Partnership on AI is a multistakeholder nonprofit that convenes academic, civil society, industry, and media organizations to develop guidance for responsible AI. It works on AI governance frameworks and policy recommendations that reach international governance and industry communities. This role offers a chance to shape how those outputs are communicated to policymakers, regulators, and standards organizations.

About the role

The Editorial Director, Global Communications leads PAI's global communications strategy and editorial oversight. You will develop and execute an integrated editorial, communications, and thought leadership strategy to position PAI as a leading voice on responsible AI governance. You will also lead the communications team and manage earned media, executive visibility, and relationships with journalists, conference organizers, and policy influencers.

A typical day

A typical day might involve editing or reviewing editorial content that translates PAI research for policymakers, meeting with the communications team on strategy, and speaking with journalists or conference organizers. You may also coordinate with researchers and policy staff to shape narratives for regulators and standards organizations. Actual daily routines depend on team structure and current projects, so ask about these in interviews.

Who Partnership on AI (PAI) is looking for

• 10+ years of editorial leadership or strategic communications experience, with at least 5 years leading teams.
• Proven success translating complex technical and policy research into high-impact communications for policymakers, regulators, and standards organizations.
• Experience engaging international policy and media stakeholders, including journalists, conference organizers, and policy influencers.
• Ability to develop and execute integrated editorial, communications, and thought leadership strategies across global governance and industry communities.

Tips for this application

• In your resume, highlight specific examples where you translated technical or policy research into communications that reached policymakers or international governance bodies.
• Provide concrete metrics for past communications campaigns you led, such as media placements, policy citations, or audience reach among regulators and standards organizations.
• Name the international policy or media stakeholders you have worked with directly, since the role requires engaging global governance and industry communities.
• Show how you have led teams of communications professionals, including how you managed editorial oversight and executive visibility.
• Tailor your materials to PAI's multistakeholder model by referencing how you have worked across academic, civil society, industry, and media organizations.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your experience leading global communications strategy and editorial oversight for research or policy outputs.', 'Specific examples of translating complex technical and policy content into narratives for policymakers, regulators, and standards organizations.', 'Your track record managing earned media, executive visibility, and relationships with journalists, conference organizers, and policy influencers.', 'How you have led communications teams for 5+ years and developed integrated editorial and thought leadership strategies.']

Research before applying

• Read PAI's published research, frameworks, and policy recommendations to understand the outputs you would communicate.
• Review PAI's list of partners across academia, civil society, industry, and media to understand the multistakeholder context.
• Look at recent PAI communications, media coverage, and executive visibility to assess current editorial strategy and gaps.
• Identify the international governance bodies, regulators, and standards organizations PAI currently engages with or aims to reach.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How you would develop and execute an integrated editorial and communications strategy to position PAI as a leading voice on responsible AI governance.
• Examples of translating complex AI technical or policy outputs into compelling narratives for international policymakers and regulators.
• Your approach to managing earned media and relationships with journalists, conference organizers, and policy influencers across global markets.
• How you have led communications teams, including editorial oversight and executive visibility, for at least 5 years.
• Your understanding of PAI's multistakeholder model and how you would engage academic, civil society, industry, and media organizations.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting generic communications samples that do not show translation of technical or policy research for policymakers and regulators.
• Failing to demonstrate 10+ years of editorial leadership or strategic communications experience, including 5+ years leading teams.
• Ignoring PAI's multistakeholder model and focusing only on industry or media audiences instead of academic, civil society, and governance communities.