Application Guide

How to Apply for Policy Director / Policy Manager

at State AI Collaborative

🏢 About State AI Collaborative

The State AI Collaborative is a nonpartisan nonprofit that helps state policymakers navigate AI policy opportunities and challenges, making it a unique bridge between government and experts. Working here means directly shaping how states govern AI, with a focus on practical, peer-driven solutions rather than partisan advocacy. It's an ideal fit for someone who wants to influence AI policy at the state level without the gridlock of federal politics.

About This Role

As Policy Director/Manager, you'll be the central hub connecting state policymakers with AI experts and resources, triaging requests and facilitating peer learning. You'll also incubate pilot projects from idea to draft deliverables, ensuring states have actionable policy templates. This role is impactful because you'll directly accelerate states' ability to govern AI responsibly, turning inquiries into concrete policy outcomes.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve triaging new requests from state officials, connecting them with experts, and scheduling a briefing. You could spend time drafting a policy memo for a pilot project, coordinating with partners, and supporting a fundraising appeal. The pace is dynamic, with a mix of reactive and proactive work to advance AI policy across states.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who State AI Collaborative Is Looking For

  • 3-5+ years of experience in policy analysis, government relations, or nonprofit policy work, with a strong understanding of AI policy issues (e.g., privacy, algorithmic accountability, procurement).
  • Proven ability to manage multiple requests and projects simultaneously, triaging effectively and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced, remote environment.
  • Excellent facilitation and communication skills, with experience organizing briefings, workshops, or peer-learning cohorts for diverse stakeholders.
  • Self-starter comfortable with ambiguity and building systems, able to support fundraising communications and event planning as needed.

📝 Tips for Applying to State AI Collaborative

1

Highlight any experience working directly with state legislators, agencies, or policy staff—this role requires credibility with state policymakers.

2

Showcase your ability to triage and manage incoming requests by describing a system or process you've built to handle competing priorities.

3

Demonstrate familiarity with AI policy topics (e.g., state AI task forces, executive orders, or legislation) in your cover letter or resume.

4

Emphasize remote work success: provide examples of how you've collaborated effectively across time zones and maintained strong communication.

5

Mention any experience with pilot project incubation or drafting policy deliverables, as this is a core responsibility.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your specific experience bridging policymakers and experts, and why you're excited to do this for AI policy across states.", "A concrete example of how you've triaged and routed requests to the right resources, ideally in a policy or nonprofit setting.", 'Your ability to design and facilitate peer-learning opportunities, such as briefings or working sessions, for government audiences.', "Your track record of taking a policy idea from concept to draft deliverable, and how you'd apply that to state AI pilots."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review the State AI Collaborative's website to understand their current projects, partners, and any published resources or reports.
  • → Research recent AI policy developments in key states (e.g., California, Texas, Colorado) to speak knowledgeably about trends.
  • → Identify potential experts and organizations the Collaborative might partner with, and think about how you'd connect them to states.
  • → Look up the backgrounds of the team and board to understand their networks and priorities, which can inform your interview questions.
Visit State AI Collaborative's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you triage an influx of requests from multiple states with varying AI policy needs and limited internal capacity?
2 Describe a time you facilitated a policy briefing or working session. How did you ensure it was productive for participants?
3 What AI policy issues are most pressing for states right now, and how would you help a state navigate them?
4 Walk us through how you'd incubate a pilot project on, say, AI procurement guidelines from concept to draft.
5 How would you handle a situation where a state requests expertise on a topic where the Collaborative lacks in-house knowledge?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on federal AI policy experience and ignoring the state-level context, which is central to this role.
  • Being vague about how you handle multiple competing priorities—this role requires concrete triage and project management skills.
  • Neglecting to mention any experience with fundraising communications or event planning, as these are listed as team support duties.

📅 Application Timeline

⏰ Deadline: September 28, 2026

We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to State AI Collaborative!

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