AIS Netherlands is looking for a Founding Executive Director (EOI form)

TLDR:

ENAIS is teaming up with community builders from The Netherlands to seed AIS Netherlands. You can read about the role below, and if you would be interested in founding such an organisation, fill out this expression of interest form. We are currently in discussions with funders about seeding city and national groups across the world, so we would like to get a better sense of the local talent pool that would be interested in starting such an initiative. You can also (anonymously) refer people for us to contact here.

Co-signers:

• Gergő Gáspár (Director, The European Network for AI Safety)
• Joshua Landes (Community manager, Bluedot Impact)
• James Herbert (Co-director, EA Netherlands)
• Otto Barten (Director, Existential Risk Observatory)
• Jelle Donders (Founder, Eindhoven AI Safety Team and Tilburg AI Safety Initiative)
• Natalia Matuszczyk (Founder, AI Governance Rotterdam)
• Margot Stakenborg (Independent researcher)

If you are not based in the Netherlands but are interested in community building, you can fill out the same form and indicate the location from where you would like to start a group.

Job title

Founding Executive Director – AIS Netherlands

Location

Randstad (Preferred) / Remote within the Netherlands

Work hours

Part-time to full-time role requiring 20-40 hours per week. Flexible working arrangements are available.

About AIS Netherlands

AIS Netherlands will be an organization focused on advancing the field of AI safety and ethical AI governance within the Netherlands and the EU. The founder of AIS Netherlands will work to build AI governance and technical talent, provide career advice, run courses and foster connections among members of the local and global AI Safety community. 

Position summary

AIS Netherlands will need a skilled and forward-thinking leader to serve as its Executive Director. In this foundational role, you'll guide the organization's growth, build its network, and develop its impact strategy. The Executive Director will be responsible for establishing AIS Netherlands’s initial programs and partnerships, focusing on communitybuilding, talent development, and educational outreach. The role calls for someone with a deep understanding of AI Safety, and experience in project and people management.

Key responsibilities

• Strategic vision and program development
  • Shape the strategic direction of AIS Netherlands, designing programs aligned with the organization's mission to advance AI safety, based on insights and the evolving needs of the Dutch AI safety ecosystem.
  • Develop and launch programs, including educational courses, career support, and community-building activities to connect and support professionals in the Netherlands’s AI policy landscape.
• Communitybuilding
  • Lead efforts to strengthen the AI safety community in the Netherlands, connecting students and professionals across AI governance and technical research, and related fields.
  • Organize networking events, facilitate AI safety meetups, and establish groups to build a collaborative and supportive community.
  • Coordinate with and support
    • Existing AI Safety organisations: Timaeus, Catalyze, Existential Risk Observatory, Legal Safety Lab etc.
    • Existing local groups: AIS Amsterdam, Delft, Eindhoven, Tilburg, Groningen Utrecht, Nijmegen, Maastricht, AIG Rotterdam etc.
• Talent Development and Career Support
  • Provide resources and guidance to help individuals find impactful roles in AI governance and technical research
  • Develop partnerships with think tanks, universities, and other organizations to offer career support and networking opportunities.
• Operational and Organizational Leadership
  • Oversee the operational setup of AIS Netherlands, including budgeting, compliance, staffing, and organizational development.
  • Collaborate with board members to ensure that the organization's programs and goals align with its mission and long-term objectives.

Program strategy and potential initiatives

AIS Netherlands will focus on two primary objectives:

• Channeling Talent to High-Impact Roles
  • Career Advice and Connections: Build a team dedicated to helping professionals transition into AI safety roles in the Netherlands, providing mentorship and key connections within the Dutch policy ecosystem.
  • Educational Programs: Implement specialised courses, such as BlueDot or CAIS-type programs, aimed at students or experienced professionals. Follow up with participants to help them find meaningful roles in AI safety.

Key metrics: number of people getting into research fellowships, founding projects, transitioning to AI Safety careers

• Building a Supportive Community
  • Networking Events and Retreats: Organize gatherings and retreats to unite people in AI safety, encourage collaboration, and foster new ideas.
  • Policy Fellowships and Visitor Programs: Create fellowship programs for mid-career professionals to gain experience at NL-based AI policy organisations, contributing to the broader community's impact.

Key metrics: number of new connections facilitated, number of policy fellows

As AIS Netherlands grows, the Executive Director may work with advisors and consultants to help identify and prioritize high-impact activities, refining the program strategy based on the Netherlands’s needs and opportunities.

Qualifications

• Strategic and Visionary Leader: Experienced in guiding organizations or programs, ideally within the nonprofit, policy, or technology sectors.
• Relationship Builder: Strong network in AI policy, governance, or related fields, with a proven ability to build effective partnerships.
• Operational Skills: Skilled in managing budgets, operations, and staff oversight, with experience building sustainable organizational structures.
• Community Development: Successful track record in fostering engaged communities through events, programs, and partnerships.
• Understanding of AI Governance: Familiarity with AI safety concepts, knowledge of the Dutch and EU policy landscape and understanding of governance frameworks is necessary.

We recommend people to sign up even if they don't check all of these boxes, the ENAIS team will be ready to support you in developing new skills as part of the role.

Potential candidate profiles

AIS Netherlands is open to candidates from a variety of professional backgrounds who bring experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Policy Connector: Experienced in the EU policy space, with skills in organizing events and building strategic alliances.
• Educator: Skilled program managers with expertise in AI safety education, ideally focused on experienced professionals.
• Consultant: Able to identify and assess fieldbuilding needs within the EU policy sphere, working with different stakeholders to design and implement projects.
• Community Organizer: Skilled in community management, event planning, and outreach, committed to fostering collaboration in AI safety.

Compensation & benefits

We would like to make it clear that the funding is not yet secured for the organisation. We are currently in discussion with funders about the project and plan to either hold an open hiring process or help the top candidate(s) apply for funding for themselves. For this reason, we recommend filling out the EOI form and not waiting for the public job announcement.

We are currently fundraising for AIS Netherlands and for a full-time role, will aim to offer a competitive salary to a contractor in the range of 45,000 EUR - 78,000 EUR (gross salary), based on experience, along with a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 25 days of paid leave
• Flexible working arrangements
• Professional development support and advising
• Community engagement - participating in team-building activities and retreats organised by the European Network for AI Safety and other community-builders in the Netherlands

How to register your interest

Please sign up on this form. EOIs will be reviewed on a rolling basis. As mentioned above, we will either hold an open hiring round or help the top candidate(s) to fundraise independently, so early submissions are encouraged. If you are not based in the Netherlands but are interested in community building, you can fill out the same form and indicate the location from where you would like to start a group. If you are not based in the Netherlands but are interested in community building, you can fill out the same form and indicate the location from where you would like to start a group.