Application Guide

How to Apply for Program Manager, Global Challenges Project

at Kairos

🏢 About Kairos

Kairos is a unique AI safety fieldbuilding organization dedicated to mitigating risks from advanced AI by addressing talent gaps within the field. Working here means contributing to a mission-driven effort that has a direct impact on the safe development of transformative technologies, while being part of a collaborative, remote-first team.

About This Role

As the Program Manager for the Global Challenges Project, you will design and lead workshops that guide talented individuals towards impactful careers in AI safety and biosecurity. This role is crucial for nurturing the next generation of researchers and policymakers, directly influencing the field's capacity to address global catastrophic risks.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve strategizing on program curriculum, coordinating with external experts to secure guest speakers, and overseeing participant outreach. You could be facilitating a virtual workshop session, analyzing feedback data, or meeting with your team to refine program logistics, all while managing the remote workflow.

🎯 Who Kairos Is Looking For

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📝 Tips for Applying to Kairos

1

1. Highlight specific examples of programs you've built or managed, especially those with an educational or workshop component. 2. Showcase your knowledge of AI safety or biosecurity by referencing current challenges or initiatives in your application. 3. Demonstrate your ability to build relationships with experts by mentioning relevant connections or collaborations. 4. Emphasize your experience with remote work and managing distributed teams, as the role is remote. 5. Tailor your resume and cover letter to reflect Kairos's mission and your passion for AI safety, using keywords from the job description.

2

1. Research Kairos's existing programs and mention them in your cover letter to show you've done your homework. 2. Provide concrete examples of how you've measured outcomes and used feedback to improve programs. 3. If you have any experience in biosecurity, make sure to highlight it, as the role covers both AI safety and biosecurity. 4. Be prepared to discuss how you would approach recruiting participants and experts for workshops. 5. Avoid generic applications; personalize each part to this role and company.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

• Your motivation for working in AI safety and why you're drawn to Kairos's mission. • Your program management experience, particularly with educational or workshop-based initiatives. • Your ability to build relationships with experts and manage diverse stakeholders. • Your commitment to using data and feedback to drive program improvements.

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • 1. Visit Kairos's website and read about their current programs and impact. 2. Follow key AI safety organizations and researchers to understand the field's landscape. 3. Look into Kairos's team members on LinkedIn to understand their backgrounds and culture. 4. Read recent publications or blog posts from Kairos to grasp their strategic priorities.
Visit Kairos's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 1. How would you design a workshop from scratch? Walk us through your process. 2. Describe a time you had to pivot a program based on feedback. What did you learn? 3. How do you stay informed about developments in AI safety and biosecurity? 4. Imagine you need to recruit a world-class expert to speak at your workshop. How would you approach this? 5. What metrics would you use to measure the success of a workshop, and how would you track them?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • 1. Submitting a generic application that doesn't show specific interest in AI safety or Kairos's work. 2. Overlooking the biosecurity aspect of the role; make sure to address it. 3. Failing to provide concrete examples of program management success or outcomes measurement.

📅 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 Kairos!