Program Director, AI Security Initiative (5219C) - CLTC

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

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The Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity (CLTC) is a premier research and collaboration hub dedicated to building secure digital futures. Housed at the School of Information at the University of California, Berkeley, CLTC was founded in 2015 to build bridges between cutting-edge academic research and real- world industry and policy needs. Our approach is built on two key pillars: first, to focus on the future of digital security and second, to expand who participates in this field. Our public-private partnerships, research programs, and outputs help decision-makers act with foresight, and our students and alumni represent the next generation of leaders in cybersecurity technology, policy, research and practice.

The Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity (CLTC) is seeking a Director of one of its core programs, the AI Security Initiative. The AI Security Initiative, launched in 2019, is an interdisciplinary research hub advancing AI risk management in the public interest. We believe AI risk management must contend with the capabilities and limitations of AI technologies, the people who develop and use them, and the structures of power in which they operate. We conduct research on how to anticipate, measure, and evaluate the risks of AI, and we develop risk management guidance for AI developers, users, researchers, and policymakers. We serve as a neutral convening platform, bringing together multidisciplinary experts from across sectors through workshops and events. And we help shape AI policy and standards through participation in AI governance bodies at state, national, and international levels. Our vision is a world in which AI technologies are developed and deployed in ways that are verifiably safe, secure, and accountable to the people whose lives they impact.

We seek a Director to lead the AI Security Initiative at CLTC, including developing the vision and agenda to achieve research objectives while administering all programmatic activities and both contributing to and overseeing research products. The Director is responsible for strategic planning, collaboration with partner organizations, and ensuring high-quality publications. The Director, in collaboration with CLTC's Executive Director and development staff, is responsible for fundraising for the Initiative. The Director is considered a subject matter expert in AI governance and risk management within the organization and is recognized as an expert externally in the field.

The First Review Date for this job is: March 17, 2026 - Open Until Filled

25% Oversees and manages all programmatic and operational functions of the AI Security Initiative and ensures on-time and high-quality delivery of all project and grant deliverables. Oversees the AI Security Initiative program budget and expenditures.

25% Maintains own original research portfolio, focusing on AI security and risk management standards, including: research design; authoring and co-authoring CLTC reports, op-eds, and peer-reviewed publications; compiling literature reviews; and conducting data collection and analysis.

20% Identifies and pursues funding opportunities and revenue streams from multiple external sources including major donors and foundations. Develops and executes strategic plans for financing program activities and ensuring the ongoing sustainability of the AI Security Initiative. Stewards relationships with funders and partners.

10% Performs supervisory functions including recruitment and management of research fellows and graduate student researchers including leading team meetings. Supervises and reviews all research activities and report production.

10% Engages with external AI policy, standards, and governance bodies such as the NIST AI Consortium and ISO working groups including leading the development of written feedback to requests for comment. Provides guidance and technical recommendations to inform AI policies and standards at the international, national and state levels.

10% Organizes, hosts, and participates in conferences, workshops, and events in the field, including accepting relevant speaking and media opportunities. Tracks and monitors relevant current events, technical and policy analysis papers, and government activities.

• Advanced degree in a related field (e.g., public policy, computer science, cybersecurity, information technology, law, international security, political science) and/or equivalent experience or training.
• Academic subject matter expertise and/or practitioners background in AI policy, governance, and standards development and implementation; and expert knowledge of the global security and governance implications of artificial intelligence.
• Program leadership experience in complex research, non-profit, academic and / or government settings with demonstrated ability to lead diverse stakeholder groups towards a common vision.
• Expert ability to interact effectively via verbal and written communications with a broad constituency, including faculty, researchers, program/center managers, staff, students, funding agencies, community members, non-profit and government agencies, individual donors, and media in a dynamic multicultural setting.
• Experience designing and implementing qualitative research methods, including interviews, literature reviews, and case studies.
• Advanced organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize and exercise initiative to effectively execute multiple projects with competing deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to represent the Initiative at the highest levels including on advisory boards, scientific communities of practice, and external committees.
• Experience overseeing teams, mentoring professional colleagues, and/or directly managing staff or students.
• Ability to work independently and use sound judgement in responding to issues and concerns.
• Highly skilled fundraising experience.

• Knowledge of the AI Security Initiative and its achievements, mission, vision, goals, policies, practices, and infrastructure. Strong knowledge of current affairs, and issues in cybersecurity and AI security research, education and technology policy.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $130,000 to $170,000 yearly ($10,833.33 to $14,166.67 monthly); the full salary range for this payroll title (ACAD PRG MGT OFCR 4 RP) is $112,400 to $214,000 yearly. This is a 100% FTE career position eligible for full benefits. This position is FLSA Exempt andn paid monthly.

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.