Standards Program Manager (Youth AI Safety Institute)

The Opportunity

Launched in May 2026, the Youth AI Safety Institute is Common Sense Media's newest addition to its programmatic pillar. The Institute establishes safety standards, builds open-source evaluations that AI developers can run against their models, independently tests AI products, and publishes the results to provide transparency and accountability. It is an independent research and testing ground dedicated to ensuring the AI that children use is safe and developmentally appropriate.

What You'll Do

• Convening Planning & Logistics
• Plan and execute a high volume of convenings across multiple formats, including kickoff sessions, closed-door expert roundtables, and technical working groups with industry representation.
• Manage all logistical elements of each convening: invitations, scheduling, venue or virtual platform coordination, travel arrangements, reimbursements, materials preparation, and participant communications.
• Develop and maintain systems and timelines to manage multiple concurrent convenings at different stages of planning and execution.
• Cook up and coordinate with Institute staff and organizational partners to ensure convenings are appropriately resourced and supported.
• Participant Strategy & Invitation
• In collaboration with the Head of AI & Digital Assessments and other Institute staff, contribute informed recommendations on who should be invited to each convening and why, with attention to expertise, perspective, stakeholder balance, and the specific goals of each session.
• Maintain an evolving roster of potential participants (including subject matter experts, field practitioners, researchers, advocates, and industry representatives) and help the Institute think strategically about participant mix across its portfolio of input processes.
• Draft and send invitation communications that clearly represent the Institute's purpose, independence, and expectations for participation.
• Agenda Development & Session Preparation
• In collaboration with the Head of AI & Digital Assessments and other facilitators, help design agendas that are appropriately scoped, sequenced, and calibrated to the goals of each session.
• Prepare session materials, including briefing documents, discussion guides, background readings, and participant bios.
• Ensure facilitators and Institute staff are well-prepared for each session with the context and materials they need.
• Stakeholder Relationship Management
• Serve as a consistent point of contact for working group members and participants between convenings, maintaining active and professional relationships on behalf of the Institute.
• Track commitments, action items, and follow-up items emerging from each session, and ensure they are appropriately routed and resolved.
• Circulate materials, summaries, and updates to participants in a timely and organized manner.
• Help the Institute maintain its credibility and relationships with a broad and diverse participant community over time.
• Program Tracking & Reporting
• Maintain clear records of convening activity, participant engagement, and working group status across the Institute's standards program.
• Track and report on program milestones, upcoming convenings, and open action items for the Head of AI & Digital Assessments.
• Identify and flag logistical or relationship issues early, before they become problems.

Required

• Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (public policy, communications, nonprofit management, or related).
• Experience: 3–5 years of experience in program coordination, project management, or stakeholder engagement, preferably in a research, policy, or mission-driven organizational context.
• Event & Convening Management: Demonstrated experience planning and executing professional convenings, roundtables, or multi-stakeholder meetings, including logistics, communications, and follow-through.
• Relationship Management: Proven ability to manage ongoing professional relationships with diverse external stakeholders in a way that reflects well on the organization.
• Organizational Excellence: Exceptional attention to detail and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams without dropping balls.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent the Institute professionally in external correspondence.

PREFERRED

• Experience supporting standards-setting, policy development, or advisory processes in a multi-stakeholder environment.
• Familiarity with AI safety, technology policy, or child and youth safety issues.
• Experience working with technical or expert communities (researchers, industry professionals, policymakers).
• Experience working in mission-driven or nonprofit organizations.