How to apply for GCP Program Manager

About Kairos

Kairos is a nonprofit that accelerates talent into AI safety and policy. It has trained over 1,200 people in two years through programs like SPAR, Generator Residency, Global Challenges Project, and Pathfinder Fellowship. Working here means directly helping fill talent gaps in a field focused on reducing risks from advanced AI.

About the role

This GCP Program Manager role involves building and leading residential workshops for the Global Challenges Project. You will help exceptional people pursue high-impact work in AI safety, biosecurity, and policy. The role is remote and full-time, with scope and responsibilities still being defined.

A typical day

A typical day might involve coordinating logistics for an upcoming residential workshop, communicating with facilitators and participants, and refining workshop content. You might also research potential venues, manage budgets, or debrief with the team on past workshops. The exact daily routine is not specified, so ask about typical tasks and team structure in interviews.

Who Kairos is looking for

• Experience designing and running residential workshops or intensive training programs.
• Background in AI safety, biosecurity, or policy, or demonstrated ability to learn these fields quickly.
• Strong project management skills, including managing logistics, timelines, and multiple stakeholders.
• Comfort working in a fast-evolving nonprofit where scope and responsibilities may change.

Tips for this application

• Read the Kairos website, especially the Global Challenges Project page, to understand the workshop series and its goals.
• In your application, give concrete examples of workshops or programs you have built and led, including outcomes.
• Show familiarity with AI safety, biosecurity, and policy talent gaps, and explain why you want to work on these issues.
• Since the role description is a first draft, express openness to evolving responsibilities and ask clarifying questions in your cover letter.
• Apply early because applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your direct experience building and leading residential workshops or similar intensive programs.', 'Your understanding of the talent needs in AI safety, biosecurity, and policy, and how the Global Challenges Project addresses them.', 'Your ability to manage logistics, participants, and content for multi-day workshops.', "Your willingness to adapt as the role's scope evolves, with examples of thriving in ambiguous environments."]

Research before applying

• Study the Global Challenges Project: its past workshops, locations (Oxford, Boston, Berkeley), and target audience.
• Learn about Kairos's other programs and how they connect to talent gaps in AI safety and biosecurity.
• Read about current talent needs in AI safety, biosecurity, and policy to speak credibly about the field.
• Check if Kairos has published any reports, blog posts, or updates about the Global Challenges Project's impact.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you design a residential workshop to help participants pursue high-impact work in AI safety, biosecurity, or policy?
• Describe a time you managed a complex program with multiple stakeholders. What was your approach?
• What do you know about Kairos's existing programs (SPAR, Generator Residency, Pathfinder Fellowship) and how does the Global Challenges Project fit in?
• How would you measure the success of a residential workshop?
• How do you handle uncertainty when a role's responsibilities are still being defined?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic cover letter that does not mention the Global Challenges Project or Kairos's specific work.
• Failing to provide concrete examples of past workshop or program management experience.
• Showing no awareness that the role description is a draft and that scope may change, which suggests inflexibility.