Director of Polling

Position Summary

The AI Policy Institute (AIPI) seeks an experienced Director of Polling to lead our pioneering public opinion research program on AI governance and safety. You will design and execute sophisticated polling strategies that capture American voters' perspectives on AI risks, track sentiment on policy proposals, and generate data that drives national policy debates. This role requires deep expertise in survey methodology, political polling, and the ability to translate voter sentiment into actionable insights for policymakers. The Director of Polling will continue to advance AIPI’s role as the authoritative source for public opinion data on AI policy issues.

Compensation: $110,000 – $160,000

Responsibilities

Research Design & Methodology

• Design comprehensive polling programs including national, state and district surveys and rapid-response tracking.
• Develop innovative question batteries that accurately capture public sentiment on complex AI issues.
• Ensure rigorous methodology and sampling techniques that produce credible, defensible results.
• Create longitudinal tracking systems to monitor shifts in public opinion on AI governance over time.

Survey Execution & Analysis

• Manage relationships with polling partners (YouGov, our private parnters) to execute high-quality surveys.
• Oversee all aspects of survey fielding, quality control, and data collection.
• Conduct sophisticated statistical analysis including cross-tabs, regression analysis, and demographic segmentation.
• Identify compelling storylines and insights that advance AIPI's policy objectives.

Strategic Integration & Impact

• Partner with policy team to test specific legislative proposals and regulatory frameworks.
• Design message testing to help policymakers understand effective AI risk communication.
• Work with communications team to maximize media impact of polling releases.
• Brief policymakers, journalists, and stakeholders on polling findings and implications.

Innovation & Leadership

• Pioneer new approaches to measuring public opinion on emerging AI capabilities and risks.
• Develop partnerships with academic institutions and other polling organizations.
• Build AIPI's reputation as the premier source for AI public opinion research.
• Manage polling budget and vendor relationships; mentor junior research staff.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in public opinion research, political polling, or survey methodology.
• Demonstrated expertise in survey design, sampling methodology, and statistical analysis.
• Experience managing large-scale polling projects from conception through public release.
• Strong understanding of political polling and its application to policy advocacy.
• Proficiency with statistical software (SPSS, R, Stata) and data visualization tools.
• Exceptional analytical and writing skills; ability to translate data into compelling narratives.
• Understanding of AI technology and policy debates preferred but not required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience polling on technology policy, national security, or emerging risk issues.
• Background with major polling firms, media organizations, or political campaigns.
• Track record of published polling research or media coverage of survey findings.
• Experience with innovative polling methodologies (online panels, experimental design, conjoint analysis).
• Relationships with political reporters and data journalists at major outlets.
• Experience integrating polling data into advocacy campaigns or policy development.
• Familiarity with AGI and superintelligence policy concepts and catastrophic risk frameworks.