Application Guide

How to Apply for Program Lead, North America

at Seismic Foundation

🏢 About Seismic Foundation

Seismic Foundation is a unique global nonprofit that bridges the gap between the responsible AI community and the public by using marketing, media, and creative storytelling. Working here means you'll be at the forefront of shaping public discourse on one of the most critical issues of our time, with the agility of a startup and the mission-driven focus of a foundation.

About This Role

As the Program Lead for North America, you will be the operational backbone of Seismic's campaigns in the region, turning strategic visions into tangible, measurable outcomes. You'll manage complex projects, coordinate with advocacy partners, and ensure every initiative runs smoothly, making your work directly instrumental in building public and political demand for Responsible AI.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve a morning check-in with the Executive Director to align on priorities, followed by managing multiple campaign timelines, reviewing vendor briefs, and coordinating with advocacy partners via video calls. Afternoons could be spent refining project plans, analyzing campaign metrics, and preparing status updates for the global team, all while juggling the unpredictable demands of a fast-moving nonprofit.

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🎯 Who Seismic Foundation Is Looking For

  • Experienced in fast-paced agency or campaign environments, with a proven track record of delivering projects on time and on brief.
  • Exceptional project manager who can juggle multiple concurrent projects, scoping creative vendors, and managing timelines with precision.
  • Strong collaborator who thrives in a remote, global team and can serve as the connective tissue between the Executive Director, global team, and advocacy coalitions.
  • Passionate about AI safety and responsible AI, with a deep understanding of the challenges posed by transformative AI and the importance of public engagement.

📝 Tips for Applying to Seismic Foundation

1

Highlight specific examples of campaigns you've managed end-to-end, emphasizing your role in scoping, vendor management, and delivering measurable results.

2

Demonstrate your familiarity with the responsible AI landscape by referencing recent AI policy debates or campaigns you admire, and connect them to Seismic's mission.

3

Showcase your ability to work autonomously in a remote setting, with concrete examples of how you've managed cross-time-zone collaborations and maintained clear communication.

4

Tailor your resume to emphasize project management and operational skills over creative execution, as this role is about orchestration, not creation.

5

In your cover letter, explicitly address why you're passionate about AI risk and how your operational expertise can help Seismic scale its North American impact.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your operational expertise: Provide a clear example of a complex project you led from conception to delivery, highlighting your ability to manage timelines, budgets, and stakeholders.', "Your alignment with Seismic's mission: Explain why responsible AI is personally important to you and how you've engaged with the topic (e.g., through volunteering, reading, or professional work).", 'Your experience with advocacy or political campaigns: Show that you understand the nuances of coalition coordination and the importance of creating public demand for policy change.', 'Your remote work readiness: Mention your proven ability to thrive in a distributed team, with strategies you use to stay organized and communicate effectively.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read Seismic's website and any published reports or campaigns to understand their tone, messaging, and key focus areas.
  • → Follow key figures in the responsible AI community (e.g., researchers, policy advocates) to stay current on debates and recent developments.
  • → Look into past campaigns by similar organizations (e.g., Center for AI Safety, Future of Life Institute) to understand the landscape and what works.
  • → Research the specific challenges of running remote, global campaigns, especially in a nonprofit context, and be prepared to discuss your approach.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach scoping a campaign for a new AI policy report? Walk us through your process from brief to delivery.
2 Describe a time you had to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines. How did you prioritize and ensure quality?
3 What do you see as the biggest communication challenge in the responsible AI space, and how would you address it in a campaign?
4 How have you worked with creative vendors or agencies in the past, and how do you ensure they deliver on brief and on brand?
5 How would you build and maintain relationships with advocacy coalition partners to ensure a unified campaign message?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing too much on creative work (e.g., copywriting, design) rather than on project management and operational execution, which is the core of this role.
  • Underestimating the importance of mission alignment; this is not just a project management job—you need to genuinely care about AI risk.
  • Failing to provide concrete examples of how you've managed complex, multi-stakeholder projects in a remote or distributed environment.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

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 Seismic Foundation!

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