National Security Lead, State and Local Government, Global Affairs

OpenAI OpenAI · AI Frontier · Washington, DC · Global Affairs

This role focuses on engaging with state and local government leaders on homeland security, emergency management, cybersecurity, election security, law enforcement, and public safety issues related to AI. The individual will represent OpenAI, build relationships, develop policy engagement strategies, and identify beneficial uses of AI in these sectors. While the role interacts with AI and its implications, it does not involve the direct building or research of AI models or systems.

What you'd actually do

  1. Build and sustain substantive relationships with state and major metropolitan homeland security advisors, emergency management directors, CISOs, election security officials, law enforcement and public safety leaders, and other relevant stakeholders.
  2. Develop and execute a strategy for policy engagement on state and local risks from advanced AI, including AI-enabled cyber attacks, threats to critical infrastructure, election-related deception or interference, criminal misuse, and biological threats.
  3. Represent OpenAI in engagements with governors' and mayors' offices, state and municipal agencies, relevant associations, and policy organizations on AI-related security and resilience issues.
  4. Identify opportunities for beneficial state and local uses of AI, including improved cyber defense, disaster preparedness and response, threat analysis, and resilient public services.
  5. Draft crisp policy briefs, strategy memos, stakeholder materials, and responses to inquiries on the national security and public safety implications of advanced AI.

Skills

Required

  • Deep knowledge of the U.S. homeland security, emergency management, cybersecurity, or critical infrastructure ecosystem, especially at the state and local level.
  • Trusted relationship builder who can engage credibly with senior public officials in a nonpartisan, policy-focused capacity.
  • Ability to translate complex AI capabilities and risks into practical policy and operational relevance for state and local leaders.
  • Comfort operating independently while collaborating closely across teams in a fast-moving environment.
  • Strong judgment, discretion, and a clear commitment to the responsible use of technology in service of public safety and democratic resilience.
  • 10+ years of relevant experience in homeland security, emergency management, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure protection, election security, public safety, or closely related policy fields.
  • Demonstrated credibility with state and local government leaders and relevant professional associations or public safety networks.
  • Familiarity with AI-related security challenges, including cyber threats, election security, critical infrastructure, biosecurity, or criminal misuse.
  • Excellent communication, policy writing, and stakeholder engagement skills.
  • Strong strategic instincts and the ability to deliver results in a rapidly evolving environment.

Nice to have

  • Experience at DHS or in a senior state or major metropolitan homeland security, cyber, emergency management, or resilience role strongly preferred.

What the JD emphasized

  • homeland security
  • emergency management
  • cybersecurity
  • election security
  • law enforcement
  • public safety
  • AI-enabled cyber attacks
  • threats to critical infrastructure
  • election-related deception or interference
  • criminal misuse
  • biological threats
  • AI-related security challenges