Director of Site Services

About Constellation

Constellation is an independent research center that brings together people throughout the AI safety ecosystem to accelerate insight, research, and talent through better cooperation. Based in Berkeley, CA, our shared workspace hosts over 200 people per week across dozens of AI safety organizations in nonprofits, academia, industry, and government.

About The Role

We're seeking an exceptional operational leader to oversee all site services for Constellation's research center. This role owns the strategic direction, planning, budgets, and performance for IT, Security & Safety, Site Operations, and Catering. These functions share a common purpose: enabling world-class AI safety research through excellence in our physical and digital environment.

• Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Direction, Planning & Resource Allocation

  • Set the strategic vision and roadmap for IT, security, facilities, and catering;
  • Own regular planning cycles to define priorities, allocate budgets, and set performance targets;
  • Drive cost optimization while maintaining operational excellence;
  • Build business cases for major investments;
  • Partner with executive leadership to ensure infrastructure and workplace services support organizational priorities and create an environment where high-impact work can flourish.

• Budget & Resource Ownership

  • Own and manage the budget across all infrastructure functions;
  • Drive cost optimization while maintaining operational excellence and mission alignment;
  • Build business cases for major investments;
  • Communicate ROI and strategic rationale to leadership.

• Leadership, Integration & Team Development

  • Lead and develop 4+ direct reports who own distinct operational domains;
  • Create forums and frameworks for these domain leads to coordinate effectively and identify synergy opportunities;
  • Build bridges between technical and non-technical domains;
  • Serve as the voice of operations in executive discussions on organizational strategy, risk, and investment priorities;
  • Translate organizational strategy into concrete operational priorities and communication.

• Performance & Impact

  • Own measurable outcomes for infrastructure operations;
  • Establish KPIs and reporting mechanisms;
  • Drive continuous improvement through data-driven decision making;
  • Hold leaders accountable for execution while providing strategic guidance and removing blockers.

• Risk & Compliance Leadership

  • Own enterprise-wide risk management for cybersecurity, physical security, workplace safety, food safety, and facilities compliance;
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory and best-practice requirements;
  • Serve as organizational point of contact for security matters with external stakeholders, auditors, and emergency services.

• Skills & Experience

  • Progressive operational leadership experience with demonstrated growth in scope and impact;
  • Experience leading teams and coaching individual contributors into people management roles;
  • Experience owning strategic planning and budget ownership;
  • Experience leading multiple operational domains;
  • Technical depth with business judgment;
  • Deep expertise in at least two of: IT operations, information security, facilities management, or hospitality operations;
  • Understanding of physical security, workplace safety, and emergency preparedness;
  • Experience in high-growth, fast-paced environments;
  • Familiarity with compliance frameworks and regulations for physical workplaces;
  • Leadership and management skills: Coaching and organizational design, developing leaders, making strategic decisions about team structure and role definition, and determining where to invest in growth;
  • Strategic communication and influence: Building alignment across the organization, influencing senior leadership, and communicating complex operational topics clearly to technical and non-technical audiences;
  • Performance management and talent development: Setting high standards, delivering constructive feedback, driving accountability, and creating environments where exceptional people thrive;
  • Personal attributes: Strategic thinker, sound judgment, mission alignment, executive presence, systems orientation, bias to action.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base pay range: $180,000 – $240,000 per year;
• Benefits: Healthy lunches and dinners catered by our amazing kitchen team, unlimited snacks & drinks, generous vacation policy, 401(k) with employer match, employer-paid commuter benefits, high-quality health, dental, and vision insurance, friendly and supportive team, regular interaction with AI safety researchers and thought leaders.