Associate Director, GeoTech Center

The Atlantic Council GeoTech Center seeks a strategic, collaborative, and execution focused Associate Director to help lead a growing portfolio on artificial intelligence and the wider field of critical and emerging technologies. The successful candidate will help turn ambitious ideas into high-quality policy work, including research, convenings, workshops, briefs, partner engagement, and grant funded programs.

This role will have a strong AI and national security focus, including AI governance, responsible AI, AI adoption, and the geopolitical effects of AI. It also requires curiosity and range. The Associate Director should be ready to help build work across related portfolios such as space systems, biotechnology, quantum, digital public infrastructure, data governance, and other technologies and digital policies that are shaping national power, markets, and societies.

The GeoTech Center works through three core pillars: Competition, Cooperation, and Innovation. Across these pillars, the Center examines how the United States and its partners can compete responsibly, cooperate across borders and sectors, and spur innovation that serves people, prosperity, and peace. The Associate Director will help translate that mission into practical programs, clear analysis, and trusted relationships.

The ideal candidate is a strong project manager, a confident writer, and a thoughtful policy professional who can work with government officials, companies, researchers, civil society, and funders. They should be comfortable moving between strategy and execution, from shaping a policy idea one hour to running the details of an event or deliverable the next.

We are currently hiring for an immediate start. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a candidate has been selected for this position. The GeoTech Center is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and strongly encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We value the unique perspectives that people bring to our work and believe a broad range of viewpoints strengthens our impact and mission.

This position is based in our Washington, DC, headquarters, requiring a minimum of 4 days per week in office. The Atlantic Council offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, education, and organizational equity, with offers from $72,000 to $76,000. Applications submitted by July 24, 2026, will be prioritized for consideration.

Job Responsibilities

• Project Management and Planning: Manage major workstreams across the Center’s AI and critical and emerging technology portfolio, including timelines, budgets, deliverables, partner coordination, reporting, and internal approvals.
• Research and analysis: Contribute to policy briefs, reports, memos, proposals, talking points, and other written products on AI governance and adjacent technology policy issues. Bring sound judgment, strong sourcing, and clear writing to public and private facing work.
• Portfolio development: Support the design of new initiatives that advance the Center’s Competition, Cooperation, and Innovation pillars. Help identify policy gaps, shape fundable concepts, and build programs that connect emerging technology issues to geopolitical priorities.
• Fundraising and partnership development: Support fundraising efforts by helping identify prospective funders, shape grant and sponsorship concepts, draft proposal language, prepare briefings, and maintain strong relationships with partners whose support advances the Center’s mission.
• Convenings and stakeholder engagement: Lead or support high quality public and private convenings, including roundtables, workshops, delegations, briefings, and major events. Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, industry leaders, technologists, academics, civil society, and donors.
• Internal coordination and operations: Work closely with GeoTech leadership, Atlantic Council Technology Programs, communications, events, development, finance, and editorial teams to keep projects moving smoothly and on time.
• External representation: Represent the GeoTech Center at meetings, events, and peer networks. Help raise the Center’s visibility as a practical, trusted, and forward-looking voice on technology policy.
• Team contribution: Help mentor junior staff, interns, and consultants as needed. Model a collaborative, accountable, and considerate team culture.

• A minimum of five years of direct professional experience in think tanks, government affairs, or INGOs working on technology policy.
• Demonstrated knowledge of AI policy and governance. Familiarity with US AI policy is preferred; experience with international, transatlantic, Indo-Pacific, or Global South perspectives is a plus.
• Proven ability to lead complex projects from concept through execution, including events, publications, grants, stakeholder processes, and cross team workflows.
• Strong writing, editing, and communication skills, with the ability to explain technical and policy issues in clear language for senior and nontechnical audiences.
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and sound judgment under pressure. The role requires someone who can prioritize, anticipate problems, and keep momentum in a fast-moving environment.
• Advanced degree in international affairs, public policy, law, computer science, science and technology studies, engineering, or a related field preferred. Equivalent professional experience will be considered.
• Professional fluency in English is required. Proficiency in additional languages is highly desirable.
• Management training or previous leadership/management experience, preferred.
• Willingness to travel internationally.
• Candidates must have current authorization to work in the United States.

To produce quality work and to successfully achieve our mission, we recognize the need for our staff to maintain a healthy lifestyle and a work/life balance. Our comprehensive benefits package helps to keep costs low for our staff and their families. Benefits include, but are not limited to comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off, 403(b) plan, FSA options, pet insurance, Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, and wellness benefits.

Salary : $72,000 - $76,000