Director, AI Strategy & Mental Health

Application Deadline: 14 November 2026Department: YSE-Youth Strategies & EngagementLocation: RemoteCompensation: $120,000 - $160,000 / year Description The Jed Foundation (“JED”) is a nonprofit organization that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults. By equipping individuals, families, schools, and communities with the skills, knowledge, and support to promote mental well-being, JED is committed to ensuring that all young people have the resources they need to thrive. Position Overview The Jed Foundation (JED) is seeking a AI Safety & Wellbeing to advance JED’s growing work at the intersection of artificial intelligence, emerging technology, mental health, and suicide prevention. AI is rapidly changing how people learn, connect, create, seek information and support, form relationships, and navigate the world around them. JED’s work in this area spans advising technology companies; AI safety, evaluation, and benchmarking collaborations; partnerships with research and public-interest organizations; public thought leadership and guidance; and efforts to understand and shape both the risks and potential benefits of emerging technologies. Reporting to the SVP, Youth Strategies & Chief Engagement Officer, the Director will advance key areas of work focused on emerging AI technologies and their implications for mental health and suicide prevention, AI safety and evaluation, technology advising, and the development of JED positions, frameworks, and guidance. The successful candidate will bring meaningful existing expertise in AI technology and safety or evaluation, along with experience applying technology, safety, research, or evaluation approaches in mental health, healthcare, public health, child and adolescent wellbeing or safety, or another high-stakes human context. The role requires understanding of mental health and suicide prevention to work effectively with JED’s experts and partners, alongside the technical fluency to engage credibly with AI researchers, safety and evaluation teams, engineers, and product leaders. Candidates in Bay area, Boston, and NYC encouraged to apply! Key Responsibilities Maintain a sophisticated understanding of developments in AI technology and assess their implications for mental health and suicide prevention, including emerging forms of human-AI interaction such as conversational and relational AI, multimodal systems, agents, memory and personalization, ambient and wearable technologies, and embodied AI.Advance JED’s work in AI safety, evaluation, benchmarking, standards, and related field-building efforts, working with technology, research, mental-health, suicide-prevention, and public-interest partners to bring relevant priorities into evaluation frameworks, scenarios, constructs, measures, and other approaches.Apply knowledge of model and system behavior, safety evaluations, red-teaming, safeguards and mitigations, failure modes, and evaluation methodology to identify where current approaches are strong and where important gaps remain.Advance approaches that consider not only acute safety failures but broader questions involving relationships and dependency, connection and belonging, agency, coping, help-seeking, protective factors, developmental differences, and beneficial uses of AI.Manage substantive technology-company advising work, assessing AI products, features, and safety approaches and developing actionable recommendations related to model and product behavior, safety, evaluation, developmental appropriateness, help-seeking and crisis pathways, relational dynamics, and responsible deployment.Develop JED POVs, frameworks, principles, recommendations, and guidance on AI and emerging technology, drawing on technical and research developments, expert consultation, JED expertise, and learning across external engagements.Identify emerging issues, evidence gaps, and opportunities that warrant JED engagement through advising, guidance, partnerships, evaluation, field-building, or other strategic action.Build and manage substantive relationships across technology companies, AI safety and evaluation organizations, academic and independent research institutions, public-interest organizations, philanthropy, and mental-health and suicide-prevention organizations.Collaborate with JED’s Knowledge & Advising, Policy, Programs, MarComms, and other teams to bring relevant expertise into the work and connect insights from AI partnerships and advising to JED’s broader efforts.Represent JED in appropriate collaborations, working groups, expert processes, convenings, and external forums, and contribute to the development of new initiatives, partnerships, proposals, and funding opportunities. Skills Knowledge and Expertise RequiredApproximately 7+ years of relevant professional experience, including substantial work in AI, AI safety, responsible AI, AI evaluation, human-AI interaction, or a closely related field. Exceptional candidates with a different career trajectory but equivalent depth of experience will be considered.Strong working knowledge of contemporary AI technologies, including generative AI, large language models, multimodal systems, conversational AI, agents, memory/personalization, and emerging human-AI interfaces.Demonstrated knowledge of AI safety and evaluation, including model and system behavior, evaluation and benchmarking, red-teaming, failure modes, safeguards and mitigations, and the strengths and limitations of current approaches.Experience applying technology, safety, evaluation, research, or related expertise in a high-stakes human domain such as mental health, suicide prevention, healthcare, public health, child and adolescent wellbeing or safety, child protection, online safety, violence prevention, or another closely related area.Working knowledge of mental health, suicide prevention, behavioral health, public health, or an adjacent field sufficient to engage meaningfully with domain experts and understand the implications of AI systems for people experiencing distress or vulnerability.Technical fluency sufficient to engage credibly and independently with AI researchers, engineers, evaluation and safety teams, and product teams. This role does not require the candidate to be an ML engineer.Demonstrated ability to connect technical developments to their implications for human behavior, safety, wellbeing, products, institutions, or society.Excellent analytical, synthesis, writing, and communication skills, with experience developing frameworks, strategy, recommendations, guidance, or thought leadership.Strong judgment and comfort working across technical and nontechnical disciplines in an area where technology, evidence, practice, and regulation are evolving rapidly.Experience advancing complex work involving multiple internal and external stakeholders, with strong relationship-building and collaboration skills.Strongly PreferredDirect experience in mental health, suicide prevention, behavioral health, digital mental health, or a closely related field.Experience focused on children, adolescents, families, development, or populations experiencing heightened vulnerability.Experience working directly with technology-company product, safety, evaluation, or research teams.Experience developing or applying benchmarks, evaluations, safety frameworks, standards, or red-teaming approaches.Experience translating technical research for public-interest, product, policy, practitioner, or other nontechnical audiences.An advanced degree in computer science, HCI, information science, behavioral or social science, public health, or another relevant discipline may be valuable but is not required. Pay Ranges: The salary range listed on this posting reflects compensation for the New York City market, where JED is headquartered. Please note that actual salary offers are determined by a combination of the following factors:Geographic Location: Compensation is adjusted based on the cost of living in your specific region. Candidates in areas with a lower cost of living than NYC will see a localized, proportionally lower salary range. Experience & Qualifications: Your relevant professional background and skill set. Actual salaries will not exceed the posted or localized pay ranges. Location/Travel Information: Roles at JED are primarily hybrid and based out of the New York City Tri‑State Area, which supports all of JED’s core services and functions. For positions supporting JED’s Policy & Advocacy team, the location is based in the Washington, D.C. area. Certain positions may have additional or specific location requirements as determined by organizational needs. Location requirements for each role are specified on the top right of this job opening page — please pay particular attention when applying. Also note that JED does not cover permanent relocation costs at this time. In‑person attendance is required for periodic retreats or business meetings at JED’s central office in NYC or other locations as designated by JED leadership. Additional travel may be required based on role responsibilities, team priorities, or organizational projects. Work Authorization All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. JED does not provide employment visa sponsorship at this time. Physical Requirements:Prolonged periods of sitting and working on a computer, including typing, viewing screens, and engaging in virtual meetings.Frequent phone, email, and video conferencing communication require clear speech, active listening, and visual acuity.Occasional standing, walking, and lifting up to 25 pounds for conference booth setup, promotional materials, or event-related tasks.Flexibility to adjust to different work environments, including home offices, shared workspaces, and on-site event locations.General Benefits: At JED, you’ll join a team of compassionate professionals committed to protecting youth mental health. Our mission-driven culture encourages collaboration, innovation, and a shared sense of purpose. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people across the country. Employees who are eligible for benefits may participate in JED’s equity program and have access to a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, retirement, mental health support, and more. For our benefits-eligible employees (such as full-time staff), we also offer a generous paid time off policy, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and a 401(k) plan with employer matching. Temporary staff and interns may be eligible for limited benefits. These benefits apply to all benefits-eligible permanent staff. Eligibility may vary based on role, employment status, and location. Temporary employees and interns are eligible for limited benefits, which will be communicated during the hiring or onboarding process. 🌟 Benefits That Support You — Professionally and Personally At JED, we’re committed to creating an environment where our team can thrive. From generous time off to comprehensive health and financial benefits, we’ve got you covered. 🏖️ Paid Time Off Vacation – ~15 days per year to rest, recharge, and reset (increases to 20 days after 4 years)Holidays – 10 paid holidays throughout the yearFloating Holiday – 1 personal day to use however you'd likeBirthday Day Off – Take your birthday off to celebrate YOU! 🎉Winter Break (No FOMO Week) – 5-day, all-team holiday closure at the end of each calendar yearPersonal Leave (Life Leave) – 3 days annually to take care of life—errands, appointments, or personal timeSick Leave – 6 days annually for your health or to care for a sick loved one 🛑 Leaves of Absence We follow all applicable state and federal leave guidelines, including the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and state-specific family and medical leave programs (e.g., NYS Paid Family Leave). Where no state plan exists, we use NYS PFML as a baseline. Please note: Eligibility or waiting periods may apply depending on the type of leave and your location. We will help you navigate your options should a leave need arise. ⏱️ Other Time Off Bereavement Leave – 5 days of paid leave for the loss of an immediate family memberJury Duty – Paid time off to fulfill your civic responsibility 💸 Health & Financial Wellbeing Transit Benefits – Use pre-tax dollars for eligible commuting costsFlexible Spending Account (FSA) – Pay for qualifying out-of-pocket healthcare or dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollarsHealthcare Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA):Mental Health HRA – $1,500/year for all benefits-eligible staff, with additional funds for those covering dependentsHealth HRA – Available for employees enrolled in JED’s medical planDental HRA – Available for employees enrolled in JED’s dental plan🩺 24/7 Health Support Employee Assistance Program (EAP)Teladoc Virtual Health – 24/7 access to doctors and mental health professionals, at no cost to you 🪙 Retirement Planning 401(k) Safe Harbor PlanStart contributing on Day 1Employer Match (after 6 months):100% match on the first 3% of compensation50% match on the next 2%We’re building a mission-driven team—and that starts by investing in the people behind the mission. Reasonable Accommodations Statement We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please let us know by responding to the confirmation emails you receive from us when you apply or schedule an interview. We will work with you to meet your needs in accordance with applicable laws. Equal Employment Opportunity ("EEO") Statement JED is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace that values collaboration and creativity. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic in accordance with applicable state, federal, and local laws. We welcome and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply and contribute to our mission of protecting emotional health and preventing suicide.